Mar 21 2005
Low-maintenance coatings that deliver both stain resistance and easy clean-up are becoming more popular in the marketplace. They help reduce maintenance costs, protect the natural appearance of substrates and are key to the development of specialized coatings such as "anti-graffiti" paints and finishes.
However, many of the technologies available today find limited use due to their processing requirements or poor performance and durability.
This April, at the European Coatings Show in Nürnberg, Germany, Dow Corning will introduce a new easy clean, stay clean fluoropolymer technology solution that removes these processing roadblocks. According to Senior Development Specialist Dr. Peter Hupfield, the innovative technology incorporates low levels of reactive organofunctional siloxane (ROFS) into an isocyanate- or melamine-cured tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (TFEC).
The resulting material (TFEC/ROFS) exploits the synergy between these compounds to help customers create a protective coating with excellent solvent solubility that cures at room temperature and/or elevated temperature.
The development process of this technology is examined in detail in a paper entitled Exploiting the Synergy of Fluorine and Silicone for Stain Resistant and Easy-Clean Coatings. The paper will be presented during the show's congress on Tuesday, April 26, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the Exhibition & Convention Center in Nürnberg. "This easy clean, stay clean coating technology solution provides superior, cost-effective stain resistance, flexibility and durability," explained Hupfield, who co-authored the paper. "Because it cures at room temperature and/or elevated temperature, it is ideal for commercial and industrial use as well as in specialty products such as anti-graffiti paints."
When tested against other coating systems, this new siloxane-enhanced technology displayed excellent beading and dry-wipe removal of common staining agents such as xylene marker, lacquer spray, red wine, urethane sealant, iodine, coffee and carbon water. Formulations developed with easy clean, stay clean coating technology can be sprayed or painted to a wide variety of substrates such as stone, metal, glass, plastic, silicone rubber and paper. HAPs- or VOC-compliant formulations are also available.
"Dow Corning is committed to giving our customers the innovative tools and solutions they need to respond to new market demands"” Hupfield said. "This coating technology is a real breakthrough that does just that."
For more information about Dow Corning's coating solutions, visit Dow Corning at the show in Hall 1, Stand 1-121. You may also go to www.dowcorning.com/coatings or contact your local Dow Corning representative. The European Coatings Show will take place April 26-28, 2005. For more information, visit www.european-coatings-show.de.