topographic (left) and phase (right) images of an unexposed automotive clearcoat sample
topographic (left) and phase (right) images of an automotive clearcoat sample that was exposed in Florida for 4 years

The sample in the bottom set of images has been exposed to Florida weather for 4 years, while the sample in the top set of images was unexposed (control sample). From the phase images, heterogeneity of the coating appears to have played a role in the degradation process.

This study was done in collaboration with DuPont through the NIST/Industry/Government Consortium on Coating Service Life Prediction.


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