Coatings are of increasing importance for many industrial products for reasons of protection, stability enhancement, surface functionalization, and aesthetics.

The technological challenges faced are due to the fact that various substrates are used (e.g. metals, glass, polymers, ...) with different material classes applied as coatings. Often various substances co-exist because several properties have to be optimized simultaneously to meet specific product needs (multifunctional coatings). The systems can be further complicated since many products undergo processing after the coating step. Adhesion problems and crater formation are therefore among the most common analysis requests received.

Due to its surface sensitivity and the fact that it provides detailed molecular information Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is uniquely suited to address analytical problems related to coating systems. Besides surface spectrometry (information on the general composition), mass resolved images (chemical mapping) and depth profiles into layered systems can be achieved.

Possible Problems

• quality control of incoming materials
• identification of paint compounds (e.g. binders, additives)
• layer structure elucidation
• adhesion behavior
• crater formation
• staining
• particles
• ...