Polymers

 Origin of the Problem of Bubbles Formation Under the Decals of Outboard Motor Covers

 
Customer: IPL inc.
 
Mandate submitted to CIR Laboratory:
 
Identify the origin of the bubbles formation observed under the decals of polymeric outboard motor covers.
 
Work conducted by CIR Laboratory:
 
1) Sampling
 
Two covers presenting the bubbling problem have been submitted by the customer. Samples of the gas contained in the entrapped bubbles under their decals were collected by means of a syringe needle.
 
 Consulting examples polymers
 
2) Samples analysis
 
The collected samples were analysed by gaz chromatography (GC-MS). The presence of toluene (C7H8) and xylene (C8H10) were detected.
 
3) Identification of the bubbling mechanism
 
The bubble formation could have been associated to the evaporation of the residual solvent contained either inside the finish coat of paint, on which decals are applied, or inside their glue.
 
Deliverables:
 
A report presenting: (1) - the objective of the accomplished work, (2) - the analytical method used, (3) - the results obtained, (4) the origin of the bubbling problem and (5) - recommendations on further work required to solve this problem has been given to the customer on time.