Probably the greatest impact has come from the use of micro
technology coatings, which have completely changed the landscape of the
detailing industry. Products like Zaino, Collinite, and etc. used to be the
best protection available but micro technology products offer greatly extended
durability, scratch resistance and protection from the elements that can be
measured in seasons or years, as opposed to weeks or months.
A common element in a
coating formula, Silicon dioxide (SiO2) also known as silica, is a chemical
compound that is an oxide of silicon. Silica is most commonly found in nature
as quartz.
What is Nanotechnology as it relates to
Detailing?
The
science of nanotechnology; the creation, organization, or manipulation of
materials, devices, or systems at the nanometre level Nanotechnology, Nano
particles or Nano structures, exactly what are they and how do they relate to
detailing?
Most of these coatings are not
true nanotube/tubule technology. This would cause a serious health concern for
all of those - not to mention be ridiculously expensive. The context that
“nano" (as related to detailing) is only as a relative size indicator
merely to identify a micro sized particulate. They are sub-micron
particles that form a clear thin film of tightly packed nano particles forming
an extension of the surface. The particles are up to a 1000 times denser which
makes for an ultra-durable hard wearing surface.
Technically most detailing
product particulates are not nano metre in size, although they are extremely
small, as the term ‘nano’ adequately describes. Single-component coatings
interlace on a molecular basis and form an extremely durable protective layer
on the paint surface provided they are applied properly.
The significance of a
nano-coating is its micro sized particles that can form a very tight bond with
the surface of most materials; including glass, paint, plastic, rubber,
aluminium, chrome, stainless steel and fabrics. These materials will have
surface imperfections i.e. peaks and valleys, micro-fissures when viewed under
high magnification. These undulations allow a nano-coating polymer to form a
tight molecular bond (much like a printer’s powdered ink when poured over paper
that has writing indentations on it) with the surface it’s applied to.
Paint Surfaces
Automotive paint surfaces contain
microscopic peaks and valleys, much like the profile of a mountain range. These
irregularities are known as capillary structures; there may be millions of
these defects per square inch. Contaminants such as fine dirt, minerals, and
pollutants are drawn into the voids where they are extremely hard to remove.
The filling of the capillary structures with micro particles
produces a hydrophobic surface. (A hydrophobic surface is one that repels
moisture.) In contrast, a hydrophilic surface is one that absorbs moisture. The
potential of a surface to absorb or repel moisture is based on many factors,
including: temperature, relative humidity, material homogeneity, and static
electricity. Surface roughness is also a major factor; the rougher the surface,
the higher the spreading rate or attraction for water. The smoother the
surface, the more repellent it is to moisture (Lotus Effect).
The significance of a micro coating is its small
particle size that can form a very tight
bond with the surface of most materials; including glass, paint, plastic,
rubber, aluminium, chrome, stainless steel and
fabrics, will have surface imperfections i.e. micro-fissures when viewed
under high magnification. These undulations allow a micro coatings to
form a tight molecular bond (much like a printers ink when poured over paper
that has writing indentations on it) with the surface it’s applied to This
level surface also improves paint surface clarity and reduce light scattering,
providing improved light reflectance (LRV)
Sealing a surface with micro particles means applying
a micro structure onto the surface, these treated surfaces become hydrophobic and
resists road dirt, grime and etc. attaching to its surface by the ‘Lotus
Effect’. It is therefore highly water repellent, which enables less effort
during the cleaning stages and optimum protection to the paintwork, glass,
alloys, fabric and trim.
Micro technology coatings form a very tight matrix
chain-link a micro structure that comprises
a clear thin film of tightly packed nano particles forming an extension of the
surface. These very dense particles are both a very strong bond and one that is not easily
breached by chemicals or detergents.
They also improve paint surface clarity and reduce light scattering, providing improved
light reflectance
Through
self-organizing anti adhesion components, the micro structure forms an invisible
barrier similar to glass. They form a bond by lodging themselves into the micro
pores of the paint forming an anchored foundation and then this foundation is
built upon to form the nano particle matrix. This is why a clean and dry,
oil-free (micro pore) surface is so important. Only the micro structure remains
on the sealed surfaces, while the water evaporates.
Micro
technology offers superior durability, hydrophobicity, surface hardness and
scratch resistance, resistance to environmental contaminants, works like a
clear coat in providing ultra violet (UV) and heat radiation protection without
colour change (yellowing) or oxidation and easier maintenance, simply rinsing
with plain water results in a clean surface without loss of gloss. these
products are having a profound impact and radically change auto detailing
Paint sealants compared to Coatings
Paint
sealants are synthetic products designed
for long-term paint protection and easy application. They are composed mainly
of amino functional polymers, which last longer than any natural wax and are
highly resistant to the elements. Synthetic liquid waxes are another way of
describing paint sealants. The main benefit of a paint sealant is their
durability compared to a wax, polymer-based sealants will last anywhere from 3
to 6 months.
A coating is applied to a clean surface and are capable of a micro structure 'film
build', that is to say a measurable thickness, that surface takes on properties
that are virtually identical to hardened glass. It is chemically inert and will
not react with the base material. In other words, dirt will not bond to the
treated surface, thereby reducing soiling and organic staining. Acid rain and
other chemical compounds easily wash off, significantly reducing the
hydroscopic nature of surfaces exposed to industrial or environmental
pollution.
Does paint
density (hardness) affect its scratch resistance?
Many coating products claim an obtained surface (Pencil) hardness of 9H but this has little if anything to do with scratch resistance.
Scratch resistance can be related to higher cross-link density and elasticity
of the coating network.
Some Nanotechnology Coating products
·
AQuartz is
an inorganic silica / silicon dioxide
·
DuPont's
SupraShield™, PPG's Optech™ and CeramiClear™ are all inorganic silica coating
·
Gtechniq
is an inorganic silicate crystallization compound
·
Modesta
is an inorganic Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
·
Nanolex
is an inorganic, solvent-based nanostructure coating
·
Opti-Coating
Pro is a silicon carbide (SiC) grains of silicon carbide are bonded together by sintering to form a very hard ceramic
Hydrophobic surface [: The requirements for a self-cleaning hydrophobic surface are a
very high static water contact angle θ, the condition often quoted is
θ>160°, and a very low roll-off angle, i.e. the minimum inclination
angle necessary for a droplet to roll off the surface] [1]
The lotus effect [: refers to self-cleaning properties
that are a result of very high water repellence (super- hydrophobicity), as
exhibited by the leaves of the lotus flower] Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets
due to the micro architecture on the surface, which minimizes the droplet's
adhesion to that surface
Hydrophobicity
Definition of both Water repellence
(hydrophobicity) and Roll-off
Hydrophobic surface [: The requirements for a self-cleaning hydrophobic surface are a
very high static water contact angle θ, the condition often quoted is
θ>160°, and a very low roll-off angle, i.e. the minimum inclination
angle necessary for a droplet to roll off the surface] [1]
Hydrophobicity [: the property of being water-repellent;
tending to repel and not absorb water is determined by the contact angle]
A hydrophobic surface is one that repels moisture. In contrast, a
hydrophilic surface is one that absorbs moisture. The potential of a surface to
absorb or repel moisture is based on many factors, including: temperature,
relative humidity, material homogeneity, and static electricity. Surface
roughness is also a major factor; the rougher the surface, the higher the
spreading rate or attraction for water. The smoother the surface, the more repellent
it is to moisture.
Contact angle
The contact angle [: is the angle measured through the liquid, where a liquid/vapour
interface meets a solid surface. It quantifies the wettability of a solid
surface by a liquid via the Young equation]
Contact angle measurement provides a simple way to determine the
level of surface protection. The formation of large, closely spaced water
droplets demonstrates that moisture is effectively prevented from being
absorbed (a hydrophobic surface) into the surface profile. The classification
of water droplets on a hard surface is known in industry as a “water break
test” or ASTM F-22. This test is used extensively in the industry to check
surface cleanliness.
The size, shape, and height of the water droplets are measured by
their contact angle. Contact angle is figured by a straight line that starts at
the base of the droplet and travels along its outer surface to the break-off
point. The measurement between this line and the surface determines the contact
angle
Surfaces with a contact angle A 90° are referred to as hydrophilic
and those with an angle A90° as hydrophobic. Some plants show contact angles up
to 160° and are called super-hydrophobic meaning that only 2-3% of a drop's
surface is in contact. Plants with a double structured surface like the lotus
can reach a contact angle of 170° whereas a droplet’s actual contact area is
only 0.6%. All this leads to a self-cleaning effect.
Roll-off
The lotus effect [: refers to self-cleaning properties that
are a result of very high water repellence (super- hydrophobicity), as
exhibited by the leaves of the lotus flower]
Repellant [: able to repel a particular thing;
impervious to a particular substance]
Roll off of dirt particles with a reduced contact area are
encapsulated by water droplets and are easily cleaned off the surface. If a
water droplet rolls across such a contaminated surface the adhesion between the
dirt particles and the water droplet is very much reduced and the dirt is
easily removed from the surface
Surface energy [: defined as the excess energy at the surface of a material compared to the bulk or the work per unit area done by the force that creates the new surface]
Surface energy [: defined as the excess energy at the surface of a material compared to the bulk or the work per unit area done by the force that creates the new surface]
Coating Viability
Surface energy (interface energy) [: in the physics of solids,
surfaces must be intrinsically less energetically favourable than the bulk of a
material (the molecules on the surface have more energy compared with the
molecules in the bulk of the material]
In order to successfully form a
continuous coating, the liquid should be able to wet the surface of the
material. Wettability depends on one specific property of the surface: surface
energy. The surface energy of the solid substrate directly affects how well a
liquid wets the surface. To achieve good wettability the surface energy of the
substrate needs to exceed that of the surface tension of the liquid by around 2
- 10 mN/m (Dynes). The Dyne level reflects the surface wettability - the higher
the Dyne level, the better the wettability/adhesion.
To obtain optimum adhesion, it is
necessary to increase the surface energy of the substrate to just above that of
the material to be applied. For optimum adhesion of a coating on various
substrates, it is necessary to obtain a high surface energy. Determining the
surface energy can be achieved by measuring contact angle or by use of Surface
Energy Test Liquids or Pens (Dyne level testing).
This form of measurement is based on the
ISO method for measuring the surface energy of polyethylene film. Surface
energy may be defined as the excess energy at the surface of a material
compared to the bulk. Every solid
surface has a specific and measurable surface energy. The unit of measurement used is the Dyne/cm²
or mN/m.
When the Dyne level test liquid is
applied to the surface, the liquid will either form a continuous film on the
surface or pull back into small droplets. If the Dyne test fluid remains as a
film for 3 seconds, the substrate will have a minimum surface energy of that
fluid value, expressed in N/m (Dynes). Should the Dyne test fluid reticulate or
draw back into droplets in less than 1 second then the surface energy of the
substrate is lower than that of the fluid itself. To test the viability of a
coating requires measuring the surface energy (surface tension).
Using a Dyne Test Pen will measure the
surface tension and identify whither the coating is still viable, which
requires a surface tension of 38mN/m or higher.
Measure the surface energy by using slight
pressure to draw the Dyne QuickTest Pen tip across the coated surface. If the
ink lines shrink or bead within 1-2 seconds then the surface protection is
degrading as the surface energy level has dropped to less than 38 Dynes. If the
ink lines remain as marked and do not shrink then the test sample surface
protection is still viable as the coating has a surface energy of 38 Dynes or
higher.
Dyne QuickTest Pen - http://www.dynetechnology.co.uk/measurement-equipment/quick-test-pens/
Product
Application
Be cognizant that for a coating product to reach its full
potential; that is to say the correct contact angle, durability and optimum
cross-linking it imperative that you provide a ‘clean’ surface. Prior to
application both above and sub-surfaces should be decontaminates, polishing
lubrication (oils, polymer (silicones) and wax) system should be removed
Use the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) an approved
mask (Consult the current 3M Respiratory Selection Guide for additional
information or call 1-800-243-4630 for 3M technical assistance) nitrile gloves
and safety glasses as a minimum.
2)
The coating can also be
applied with a lint-free and non-abrasive microfiber suede cloths (very low
nap), which will evenly spread the coating as opposed to absorbing it. Edgeless
optical grade suede weave Use a fresh cloth with an applicator block to help you
lay down the perfect application of liquid coatings and other protection
products. The Rag Company Detail Master™ Pro but the major disadvantage of this type of application is
the coating dries and solidifies to glass, which means you need 5- 8 towels
that will be discarded after use.
My preferred application method is to use base coating (P-01A) applied with a rotary machine polisher and apply the coating with a spray gun as I feel this gives a consistent thickness and coverage. The coating can be applied with a micro fibre towel but the major disadvantage of this type of application is the coating dries and solidifies to glass, which means you need 5- 8 towels that will be discarded after use.
Due to the construction of micro fibre
towels, they comprise a hydrophobic Polyester (a scrubbing fibre) which also gives the material
strength and durability and a hydrophilic Polyamide (an absorbing
fibre) that is tremendously absorbent
and quick drying. This nylon hybrid is created during weaving to create
microscopic loops, which form a network of tiny hooks, scrubbing away dirt and
grime. The nature of this yarn is that
it is an absorbent; the reason polyester appears to absorb liquids is the many
thousands of micro fibres that collectively encapsulate liquids.
1)
Dr
Joe dedicated Lint-Free 100% Cotton Surgical Towels,
that have a lint free, tight cotton
herringbone weave and a thread count of 170
per square inch, which is ideal
for hard surfaces as they have more ‘grip’ than micro fibre towels and helps to
spread the coatings evenly.Fold the towel in half and then half again.
My preferred application method is to use base coating (P-01A) applied with a rotary machine polisher and apply the coating with a spray gun as I feel this gives a consistent thickness and coverage. The coating can be applied with a micro fibre towel but the major disadvantage of this type of application is the coating dries and solidifies to glass, which means you need 5- 8 towels that will be discarded after use.
Drying
/ Curing
Use of infra-red lamps is highly recommended. Allow 24 hours in a
moisture / dust free environment
Coating
Maintenance
Many people have the incorrect impression that paint coatings are a
“no maintenance required” type of product. This is simply not true.
Routine washing is crucial. As your coating becomes covered with
dirt and contamination, you will notice a decrease in hydrophobic properties.
It’s important to remove any surface contaminates on a regular basis with a car
wash concentrate that will not leave gloss enhancers or surfactants behind due
to a coatings ‘roll off’ washing and drying the paint surface is very easily
accomplished
The normal car wash concentrates mostly contain surfactants and
alkaline additives. They work by breaking down surface tension and wetting the
surface to facilitate soil removal by flushing. With many of the newer coatings
traditional car wash solutions, especially at their normal extreme dilutions.
Use a specially formulated product like Optimum ONR or Modesta H-05 Shampoo–
specifically formulated for hydrophilic coatings. This special shampoo removes
dirt and restores/prolongs the coating’s original hydrophobicity. This is an
ideal coating maintenance shampoo
Dry surfaces with a waffle weave (pique) towels to ensure zero
marring to the paint surface
Summary
Polish the paint surface to remove (without removing too much clear
coat) any surface imperfections as this product cures to become optically clear
and will highlight any surface defects. It has always puzzled me why people
over-polish their car paint and cause the paint to fail prematurely; we all
have seen examples of clear coat failure. A coating is the most effective way
to avoid premature failure of clear coats.
Coatings offers superior durability, hydrophobicity, surface
hardness and scratch resistance, resistance to environmental contaminants and
works in a similar way to a clear coat in providing ultra violet (UV) and heat
radiation protection without colour change (yellowing) or oxidation and easier
maintenance, simply rinsing with plain water results in a clean surface without
loss of gloss. I think these products will have a profound impact and radically
change auto detailing
Bibliography
1.
Royal
Society of Chemistry (RSC) Library & Information Centre
2.
Glossary
of Chemical Terms - Faculty of Chemical Technology
3.
Basic
Concepts of Nanotechnology, History of Nano-Technology, News, Materials and
Potential Risks
4.
Lotus-inspired
nanotechnology applications, B. Karthick1 and Ramesh Maheshwari
5.
SpecialChem4
Polymers
6.
Macromolecular
Chemistry and Physics
7.
European
Coatings Handbook 2nd Edition, by Brock, Groteklaes, Mischke
8.
Bayer
Material Science, Automotive eNewsletters (Coating, Adhesives and
Specialties)
The information in this article is based on the current status of
the technical development as well as our experience with the products.
Foot Note:
I carried out extensive laboratory testing of coatings utilizing standard lab protocols, this entailed chemical analysis with a mass spectrometer, heat, acid and ultra violet radiation resistance, surface hardness and hydrophilic properties.
The mas spec analysis showed many similarities between some brands, which not surprisingly would suggest relabeled products.
The few, just let’s
say unique, products although using completely different chemicals in their
formulation exhibited outstanding results
Foot Note:
I carried out extensive laboratory testing of coatings utilizing standard lab protocols, this entailed chemical analysis with a mass spectrometer, heat, acid and ultra violet radiation resistance, surface hardness and hydrophilic properties.
The mas spec analysis showed many similarities between some brands, which not surprisingly would suggest relabeled products.
Filing a patent on a chemical
formulation is extremely difficult and would not solve the problem as changing
just one component would make the patent void. Change is what R and D
(development) is all about, and besides relabeled product in the final
analysis results in more sales.
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