Stiffening while drying

Abstract

We present two models for the drying of waterborne paints, which consist of non-volatile latex particles suspended in water. One model considers the water and latex density in a layer as a function of time. Water evaporation at the surface represents the drying. This model results in a one-dimensional free boundary problem, which is solved numerically. Extensions to the model are given that describe the stiffening of the paint. A second model is a particle based dynamical simulation where latex particles form a network through which water particles move. A thin slab of the suspension in a three-dimensional box is studied. Water particles escaping the slab at the surface represent the drying, progressing network formation the stiffening of the paint. Both models allow for validation with material properties as determined experimentally on real coatings.