Nanotechnology coatings repel dirt
Some
of the materials and technologies that have changed detailing forever; Polymer
sealants, Detailers clay, Microfiber towels, Nanotechnology coatings, Polishes
containing nanotechnology ceramic micro-particulate, diminishing abrasives and
Full body vinyl wraps
Probably
the greatest impact has come from the use of Nanotechnology 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
nanotechnology (AQuartz) or a reactive polymer resin coatings (Opti-Coat™ )
that offer greatly extended durability, scratch resistance and protection from
the elements that can be measured in seasons or years, as opposed to others
For many years (twenty plus)
my polymer sealant of choice was an acrylic polymer (Klasse) I then converted
to a polymer sealant (Zaino) and used it for approx fifteen years, but
automotive sealants and coatings have evolved immensely over the last five
years or so and have changed paint protection to an inordinate degree
Your choice of product would
be dependent upon-
·
Vehicle use (daily driver, week-end, show car, and etc)
·
Your detailing goals for this vehicle
·
Washing / maintenance regime
·
Where is vehicle kept? (outside 24/7, car port, garage)
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 '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.
Paint Surfaces
Automotive paint surfaces
are porous and can hold up to a pint of water after washing. They comprise
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 nanoparticles 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.
The significance of a
nano-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
nano-coating polymer 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
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
based around super siloxanes, and 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 siloxane/polymer.
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.
Sealing a surface with
nanotechnology means applying nano-structures 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.
Nanotechnology coatings form
a very tight matrix chain-link a
nano 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 nanostructure 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 nanostructure remains
on the sealed surfaces, while the water evaporates.
Nanotechnology 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. I think these products will have a profound impact and radically
change auto detailing
Nanotechnology
Coating products
1.
AQuartz is an inorganic silica / silicon
dioxide
2.
G|techniq is an inorganic silicate crystallization compound
3.
Nanolex is an inorganic,
solvent-based nanostructure coating
4.
DuPont's SupraShield™, PPG's Optech™ and CeramiClear™ are all inorganic silica coating
Bibliography
1.
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Library & Information Centre
2.
Glossary of Chemical Terms - Faculty of Chemical Technology
3.
The
Chemistry of Polyurethane Coatings – Bayer Publications
4.
Basic Concepts of Nanotechnology, History of Nano-Technology,
News, Materials and Potential Risks
5.
Lotus-inspired nanotechnology applications, B. Karthick1 and Ramesh Maheshwari
6.
SpecialChem4 Polymers
7.
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
8.
European Coatings
Handbook 2nd Edition, by Brock, Groteklaes, Mischke
9.
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 this type of product.
I
would like to think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to
detailing and to professionals alike, as well as industry experts who seek to
advance their knowledge.
I hope the
above article was informative. By having some understanding of the ‘What’ and
‘Why’ as well as the ‘How’ along with a little science to help you understand
how the chemicals we use react, you can achieve the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you would share this article as it
helps other detailers further their knowledge.
Questions and/ or constructive
comments are always appreciated.
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