Statistical optimization of microencapsulation process for coating of magnesium particles with Viton polymer

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Surface of magnesium particles was modified with Viton via solvent/non-solvent method. • FT-IR, SEM, EDX, Map analysis, and TG/DSC techniques were employed to characterize the coated particles. • Coating process factors were optimized by Taguchi robust design. • The importance of coating conditions on resistance of coated magnesium against oxidation was studied. - Abstract: The surface of magnesium particles was modified by coating with Viton as an energetic polymer using solvent/non-solvent technique. Taguchi robust method was utilized as a statistical experiment design to evaluate the role of coating process parameters. The coated magnesium particles were characterized by various techniques, i.e., Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and thermogravimetry (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the coating of magnesium powder with the Viton leads to a higher resistance of metal against oxidation in the presence of air atmosphere. Meanwhile, tuning of the coating process parameters (i.e., percent of Viton, flow rate of non-solvent addition, and type of solvent) influences on the resistance of the metal particles against thermal oxidation. Coating of magnesium particles yields Viton coated particles with higher thermal stability (632 °C); in comparison with the pure magnesium powder, which commences oxidation in the presence of air atmosphere at a lower temperature of 260 °C