Charged Raindrops Cause Micro-Lightning Damage to Protective Coatings
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have identified a new mechanism for paint and coating degradation: tiny electrical discharges from charged raindrops. Published in Nature, the study shows that water droplets picking up static charge while sliding across surfaces can puncture protective layers upon impact, acting like microscopic lightning. This finding adds to existing knowledge of mechanical and chemical wear, potentially guiding the development of more durable coatings for infrastructure and vehicles.
