Binders for Thermal-Control Coatings
Methyl trialkoxysilane hydrolysates have been found to be superior binders for radiative thermal-control coatings. Using sprayed test panels, candidate coating formulations were optimized with respect to binder/ pigment radio, ethanol content, pigment particle size, coating thickness, and curing conditions. Binders are made from monomers of trialkoxy-silanes or chain-extended alkoxysilanes. Monomers are believed to polymerize to ladder-type structures like methyl silicone.