Sol-Gel Hybrid Coatings

摘要

Wood and wood-based composites are widely used as construction,furnishing and decorating materials for ecological reasons and also because of the appealing appearance of wooden surfaces.However,due to'its softness and water-absorbing nature,plain wood and wood composite surfaces are easily damaged by water and by mechanical abrasion.Wood products with improved surface properties can be achieved by using coating systems based on sol-gel hybrid concepts.By tailoring and optimizing the composition of the sol-gel,the properties of the thin coatings can be directed in the desired direction.Coatings systems consisting of a ceramic network and polymeric compounds have been developed in order to make transparent abrasive-resistant and water-repelling surfaces for wooden substrates.