The Use of Engineered Silica to Enhance Coatings

摘要

The field of coatings technology has utilized many forms of silica-based particles in the last 70 years. This large, varied class of fillers is generically broken into two categories of crystalline and amorphous morphology. With ongoing scrutiny and sensitivity in the coatings industry to move towards less hazards in the workplace, greater emphasis is placed on suitable amorphous technology to replace crystalline silica technology. Amorphous silica character is highly adaptable and flexible to be modified in both powder and pre-dispersed forms, and numerous engineered types of technologies have been developed to provide functional solutions to many coatings problems. Amorphous silica technology has been developed to address functionalities including: rheological control, suspension of pigments and fillers, reinforcement of coatings film, impart scratch resistance, impart hydrophobicity /anti-corrosion benefits, impart oleophobicity, carriers of trace actives into coatings for homogenous distribution, flow control, charge and fluidization enhancement of powdered coatings, and gloss reduction of liquid systems. Particle technology and modification will be addressed, and performance attributes highlighted for each of the types of tailor-made modifications. A short discussion of the importance of proper dispersion and homogenous distribution within a coating matrix will be reviewed. This paper will address how amorphous silica technology is differentiated and engineered to create specially tailored solutions to enhance the performance of coatings, and highlight the latest technical developments in this field.