Nano-Coatings

Grundlagen-4

Smallest (Nano-) particles offer a lot of new possibilities for lacquer systems. For example transparent and nevertheless functional coatings such as easy-to-clean or UV-protection. These functional, transparent nano varnishes serve as refinement and/or as a wear protection layer to the surface.
By using nano-particles, transparent coatings can be applied on almost any substrates and can be provided for example an increased scratch- and scraper resistance. The liability of dirt of even large areas can be diminished at the same time so that an almost complete cleaning effect by rain can be produced in windows.

Characteristics of clearcoats based on Nano-Technology

Our Nano-lacquers consisting of tiny Nano-compounds as small as 6-100 Nm are based on acrylate-, polyurethane- or polyester-copolymers. They possess the following excellent characteristics:

  • Scratch resistance
  • Abrasion resistance
  • Weather resistance
  • UV-light steadiness of substrate and/or coating
  • Anti-Graffiti
  • Easy-to-clean
  • High density surfaces
  • Chemical resistance
  • High flexibility
  • Resistance to caking
  • Every gloss-level adjustable
  • Water-soluble (not harmful to environment)
  • Extra thin films can be applied
  • Works with all methods of application

Nano-lacquers are available in following lacquers-systems:

  • 1-component
  • 2-component
  • UV-light-hardening
  • thermical drying

In general these systems are applicable on all surfaces (possibly with corresponding pretreatments) and by means of all conventional methods of procedures (possibly with corresponding adjustments of the system).

What’s special about lacquers based on Nano-Technology?

Chemical Nanotechnology allows altering the molecular structure of various materials. The resulting extreme small Nano-particles can be equipped with desired characteristics by variation of their form, size and surface.

This is why it’s possible to realize scraper-solidity, rub-off-steadiness, as well as steadiness for chemicals and UV-light, while at the same time providing excellent brightness and longevity. Use of Nano-lacquers saves resources and there cuts costs due to the fact that very thin coatings suffice to deliver at least equal, in most cases superior results compared with coatings using conventional lacquers.

By adding one or several special components Nano-lacquers can be equipped with further characteristics, e.g. high elasticity and slippage. This way the advantages of organic compounds can be combined with the ones of inorganic compounds in a single product.

Organic and inorganic source materials form nano-scale compounds, the so called hybrid coating-material which provides the Nano-lacquer with its remarkable flexibility, which can more easily be adapted to various foundations compared to lacquers based on a single source material.

Nano-lacquer-systems are based on acrylate, polyurethane or polyester;

Nano-compounds are the result of the so called sol-gel-process. Water acts as a catalyst. At the beginning of the process a colourless, thin liquid (sol) is produced. While further processing the sol to gel under the influence of heat organic components, mainly silicium-compounds are added.

Chemists doing fundamental research have been experimenting for decades with sol to create new chemical compounds and structures. Sol evolves from fluid components building tiny particles due to chemical reaction. Coagulation of soles brings a gel into existence. The result of this “hydrolysis-condensation-reaction” is a gel which is characterized by hard particles cross linked among one another.

Depending on which characteristics the lacquer has to have addition of the components varies. Finding the basic materials and optimizing the mixture ratio represents the “secret” of this process.

Nano-lacquers can be applied by all conventional techniques, e.g. painting, spraying, using rolls, etc. Due to its revolutionary productiveness users applying Nano-lacquers in most cases only need 1/5 of the quantity of lacquer they would otherwise have to employ if using conventional lacquers.

Development of a water-soluble Nano-lacquer

The lacquer systems of CMR was developed as modular systems. Therefore every lacquer finally consists of several fundamental components that can be combined with one another to satisfy individual requirements.

Within a short period of time customers can be provided with individually adjusted and tailor-made products without CMR Coatings has to develop a new basic lacquer.