Hydrophobic coatings are water-resistant, meaning water beads up when it comes into contact with them. Superhydrophobic coatings take this one step further. They are even more water-resistant, so when water comes into contact with them, the droplets form a sphere and roll off of the surface with very little interaction.
These coatings are sometimes lumped together into the same category as graphene, ceramic, superhydrophobic, and even other chemically resistant “phobic” coatings. Regardless of what you call these coatings, they are used in a wide range of industries due to their beneficial properties. In this blog, we will explore these applications and how we create superhydrophobic coatings here at National Polymer.
Types of Superhydrophobic Coatings
There are a few different types of superhydrophobic coatings, and each of them is produced via chemical or mechanical means, and often by a combination of the two.
Silicone-Based
These superhydrophobic coatings are made from PDMS, Silane, or Silazane chemistry. Each of these can contribute to superhydrophobic and other chemical-resistant properties that are desirable in the application.
Fluorine-Based
Even though there are international efforts to eliminate PFAs from the environment, there are other synthetic means that are emerging in order to create fluorine-based materials that exhibit superhydrophobic and chemical-resistant properties. Fluorine is a very unique element with various unique properties that make it ideal for preventing interactions with other materials, including the creation of hydrophobic coatings.
Microstructure
Microstructure superhydrophobic coatings contain nano-sized particles that are engineered into the coatings. These microstructures can disrupt the surface energy of a substrate resulting in a superhydrophobic effect.
How Superhydrophobic Coatings are Created
At National Polymer, all of our superhydrophobic coatings are custom-made, so the techniques will vary based on the application of the coating and materials used. We have experience in various techniques to create these coatings, including:
Traditional Mixing
During traditional mixing, a traditional propeller is used at a relatively low speed, creating a vortex. Materials are then added to the vortex which disperses them into the liquid.
High-Speed Mixing
This process has specially designed sheer blades that tear through solid materials at a high speed. These blades incorporate solids into solution efficiently and quickly.
Homogenization
Homogenization uses super high-speed rotor-stator mixers to break up particles, forming a homogenous solution.
Ultrasonic Mixing
Sound waves are used to break up agglomerated materials to produce micro- and nano-scale structures in solution.
Optimizing the Manufacturing Process of Superhydrophobic Coatings
Every application requires specific performance targets. By engineering superhydrophobic coatings to a particular set of requirements, our team at National Polymer is able to optimize the process for each customer and product. While other companies supply “generic” products to the market, our team has extensive experience in customizing and optimizing all of the steps required to create a superhydrophobic formula that is optimized for a particular application.
Applications of Superhydrophobic Coatings
These coatings are used in situations where the interaction with water must be eliminated and removed. Some common applications of superhydrophobic coatings include:
- Automotive: High-end finishes and rust protection
- Medical: Viewing through optical ports and keeping devices and products cleaner
- Aircraft: Keeping windows clear and helping to prevent ice buildup on critical structures
- High-Tension Wires: Preventing ice from building up on transmission lines
- Yachts and Boats: Preventing salt stains and corrosion and keeping boats looking new and lasting longer
- Eyeglasses: Anti-fogging coatings to maintain clear vision
When You Need Custom Superhydrophobic Coatings, Turn to National Polymer
At National Polymer, we have a deep understanding of polymeric materials and how they interact and work together. Our highly educated and experienced staff have worked for decades on these hydrophobic materials, so we know exactly what materials and processes need to be used for each application. With this experience and our ability to work with various types of materials, we can easily create whatever our customers need.
Contact our team today to get started.
