invisible but functional - water resistent coatings

12 mai 2023

Invisible but FunctionalProtective water-resistant nanocoatings

Smart Coating Application Lab

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2 mai 2023 2

Effect of water

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Water-resistant or Water-proof?

Waterproof: impervious to water Water-resistant: able to resist the penetration of

water to some degree but not entirely Water-repellent: not easily penetrated by water

No clear definition of water-resistance. Electronics: IP rating (2 digit number)

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Water-resistant or water proof?

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www.liquiproof.co.uk/

www.techsnapr.com

www.ultimateears.com

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Choice of coating?

Application

Durability

Type of material

Degree of protection

Appearance Cost

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State-of-art

Conventional application Plasma deposited

Spray, brush, roller Plasma Wet proces Dry vacuum proces (gas)Nanometer to micrometer (mostly invisible)

1 – 100 nm (Invisible)

Batch process or inlineBuilding materials, glass, metals

Electronics, textile, medical

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Conventional coatings

• Water repellent • Low surface free energy (PTFE,

silicon)• Non polar groups

• Coatings based on nanotechnology => nano coatings Silicon chemistry (Hybrid) Sol-gel nano composites

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Nano technology

Hydrophobic impregnations

Hybrid (sol-gel) composites

Super hydrophobic coatings

Impregnations

Inorganic - organic

Lotus effect

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Hydrophobic impregnations

• Silicone chemistry

• Often blends with fluorinated polymers

• Variations in formulation on different materials

• Porous surfaces Source: sika.com

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Hybrid nano composites

• Hybrid = combination of organic and inorganic

• A lot of possibilities in functionalities

• Water resistant –> easy-to-clean

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Super hydrophobic coatings

• Combination of hydrophobic groups and surface roughness, similar to lotus leaf.

• Very high water contact angle => High water repellency

Challenges: Often visible, lack durability

Suppliers: Never wet, ultra ever dry, hydrobead, Pee Back

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Plasma deposited coatings

• (Pulsed) plasma • Dry process• Gas phase – deep penetration –

- thin coatings (filters)• No additional curing step

• Used frequently in electronics, textile treatment and medical

www.plasmatreatment.co.uk

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Industry standard testing

Humidity testingImmersion testing Water protection (IPX standard) Water penetration test (Karsten Tube)Water vapor Transmission rateChemical resistanceCorrosion resistanceSalt fog testing

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Case Nanex Company

• 3 product lines: different technologies and market focus. Always dry: water repellent coatings Cleaners: nano protective cleaners Car coating

Nanex is working together with Sirris to improve their formulations.

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Case: Coating development

Main goal: To improve water-repellent products.

• Focus on improving the durability• Introduction of new functionalities• Combination of technologiesÞ Introduction of nano-particlesÞ Proper evaluation by correct testing

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Overview & Conclusions

• Many suppliers of protective water-resistent coatings

• Amount of protection is related to many factors• Miscommunication exists on water-repellancy• Durability is an issue (wear, UV protection)• Major interest in water-protective coatings &

technologies. => Future developments!

2 mai 2023© sirris | www.sirris.be | info@sirris.be |

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