South Korean Scientists Develop Coating That Heals Scratches in Just 30 Minutes Under Sunlight.
The research team tested the scratch removal on model cars. (Video: Phys.org)
The new coating contains a polymer network based on acrylic polyol resin along with a urethane structure. This polymer features chemical bonds that can break down under stimulus and then reassemble in their original configuration, effectively repairing minor damage such as scratches. In this case, the stimulus is heat provided by organic photothermal dyes within the coating that capture infrared light.
In tests conducted on model cars, the expert team led by Dr. Jin Chul Kim at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) demonstrated that the coating can heal scratches within 30 minutes under midday sunlight. They also showed that the process can be significantly accelerated under focused light. For instance, using a magnifying glass to concentrate sunlight on a scratch reduced the healing time to under 30 seconds.
This transparent coating does not affect the car’s paint color.
The research team shared that the new coating has several advantages over current self-healing materials. By utilizing organic photothermal dyes, the coating requires less energy to operate compared to conventional inorganic versions. This coating can also heal scratches in the same spot multiple times, unlike self-healing materials that rely on resin.
Notably, Kim and colleagues stated that their coating is transparent, so it does not affect the car’s paint color and can be combined with spray painting methods. Additionally, the material could be applied to devices prone to scratches, such as smartphones. The team described the coating in the journal ACS Applied Polymer Materials on August 8.
