Greasy smears and traces on stainless steel and metal surfaces are not only visually annoying, but also attack the surface and can only be removed by complex polishing. At the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, Halle, Germany, a highly effective sol/gel nano lacquer with an antifingerprint effect is to be developed in a research project with FEW Chemicals GmbH Wolfen. In the research project, which runs until December 31, 2020, the experts want to modify the chemical composition of different coating systems so that stainless steel surfaces have an antireflective effect and self-cleaning properties. In addition to a non-stick effect and an optical suppression of fingerprints by anti-reflection and adapted refractive indices the paint to be developed should have abrasion-resistant, largely colorless and transparent properties and be well suited for cleaning the painted surfaces or self-cleaning. It is based on a sol/gel nano-lacquer with nano- and microparticles, which can be applied by means of a spray technology and cures at the lowest possible temperature and within a short time. A competitive anti-fingerprint effect on stainless steel surfaces has high market potential in the fields of optics such as optical filters, lenses, mirrors and laser optics, glass, stainless steel and metallized plastic surfaces for household applications, as well as industries such as the electronics and automotive industries.
Picture: Oil drops on a superhydrophobic and oleophobic coating on stainless steel.
Autor(en): Ke
