Migration of hindered amine light stabilizers in automotive clearcoats

The diffusion behavior of two hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) [bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-sebacate and bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)-sebacate] in an automotive clearcoat has been quantified via time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Diffusion couples made from clearcoats with and without HALS allow for the estimation of the diffusion coefficient of one of the HALS. The high diffusion coefficient of one of the HALS contradicts the presence of HALS gradients in weathered coating systems. This discrepancy is ascribed to a decreasing diffusion coefficient of the HALS in the coating matrix due to a weathering-induced increase in the Tg of the clearcoat.