Investigation of Mechanical Properties of TICs across a Range of Temperatures

Abstract Thermally insulative coatings (TICs) are employed for personal protection, solar radiant heat gain (SRHG) mitigation, and various insulative applications, enhancing thermal efficiency for both high and low-temperature assets. Unlike most thin-film protective coatings, TICs are typically applied in thicknesses ranging from 1 to 12 mm or more. An important area to understand is the mechanical properties of TICs across different temperatures. Given that TICs operate over a broad temperature spectrum, and the mechanical properties of polymeric materials vary with temperature, it is essential to understand these variations. Additionally, TICs experience a thermal gradient across the depth, with mechanical properties expected to change significantly around the polymer's glass transition temperature. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to investigate the physical properties of commercial TICs from -50 to 200 °C.