Nanomaterials Advancing Industrial Coatings Performance

TAGS:  Industrial Coatings     Architectural Coatings     Wood Coatings    

Nanotechnology deals with the science and engineering of materials with dimensions less than 100 nanometers. It is an exciting frontier where the increase in surface area of materials and dominant nanoscale forces drastically influences the properties of materials when compared to their bulk counterparts.

North America has spent more than 29 billion USD in the last two decades through its National Nanotechnology Initiative^[1] toward fundamental and applied research, which emphasizes the importance of this sector in the 21st century.

Several such funding initiatives in the last two decades have enabled an explosive growth of research works focusing on understanding how these nanoscale effects influence the properties of nanomaterials. This has helped in the development and launch of several nanomaterial-infused products, increasing its potential use cases in applications ranging from cancer drug delivery, high-performance batteries to advanced coatings.

Based on their physical nature, Nanomaterials can be classified as:

• Metal/metal oxide-based
• Carbon-based
• Lipid-based
• Ceramic-based
• Semiconductor-based, and
• Polymeric-based nanomaterials

Nanosized Molecules Have a Tremendous Impact on Coating Properties

Unlike conventional materials, nanosized molecules have more overall surface area and extremely small particle size, and this has a tremendous impact on the properties of nanoscale materials, especially for coating applications. For example, several coating products across the globe use Silver nanoparticles for its broad-spectrum anti-microbial property. The surface of these nanoparticles releases silver ions, which can destroy proteins present in fungi, bacteria, and viruses, enabling microbe-free surfaces^[2].

Some of the major challenges in the paints and coatings industry revolve around finding a viable alternative that could enable more sustainable products without high VOC solvents, heavy metal-based anti-corrosion additives, and perfluorinated compounds. Hexavalent chromium and benzene, which are often used in paints and coating formulations, are proven to be carcinogenic.^[3,4] Perfluorinated compounds on the other hand can stay in water streams for a considerable amount of time, exhibiting characteristics of a carcinogen and capable of causing liver toxicity.^[5]

Considering the serious health implications of these ingredients, raw materials that help in developing sustainable, zero-VOC coating formulations are needed. The industry could also benefit from high performance, multi-functional additives, which could improve the service life of the coating and reduce the use of solvent-based products.

The Coatings Market Has Been One of the Early Adopters of Nanotechnology-enabled Solutions

The paints and coatings market, for the aforementioned reasons, has been one of the early adopters of Nanotechnology-enabled solutions. Nano sized dispersion due to their varying surface chemistry help in the development of water-based paints and coating formulations. Advancements in multi-functional carbon nanomaterial such as Graphene has enabled development of paints with scratch and weather resistant, anti-corrosive coating formulations even at low dosage levels (<2 wt%)^[6].

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) nanomaterial-based ceramic coatings have been accepted as the industry standard in the automotive coating due to its robustness and long shelf life^[7]. SiO₂ exhibits excellent hydrophobic property enabling self-cleaning and weatherproof properties for a wide range of surfaces, eliminating the need for harmful perfluorinated chemicals.

Polymeric-based Nanotechnology Acrylic Dispersion Deliver High Performance in Various Industrial Coating Applications

One company that has been active in the field of nanomaterials for over twenty years is Vinavil, an Italian chemical company that is part of the MAPEI group. Vinavil’s first entry into nano was its launch of Crilat 4896 nano-technology based pure acrylic aqueous dispersion for use in coating formulations for building restoration. Such restoration projects have been completed at the Domus Aurea Cathedral in Rome, Italy and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milan, Italy, among others. In addition to reducing the effect of weathering, these Crilat nano-technology based coatings also resist the growth of molds and block odor.

More recently, within the last ten years, Vinavil has developed similar nanocoating products for both wood and concrete applications. One of the key differentiators of their products is the company’s use of polymeric, self-crosslinking nano-sized emulsions (liquid), instead of the conventional nano-sized solid particles dispersed in a liquid medium.

For concrete, Vinavil developed a nanolatex for use in the preparation of primers for consolidating wall surfaces - Crilat 4815. It is characterized as a nanolatex as it is a water dispersion of an acrylic copolymer characterized by very fine particles. In addition to being water-based, it is a highly penetrative, which helps reduce salt-induced damage and ensure enhanced adhesion. This synergetic effect ensures a robust finish, enabling a 250% increase in wet scrub resistance over conventional solvent-based primers.




In addition to the 4815 nanolatex solutions for wall consolidation application, Vinavil also developed Crilat 5850 nanosized, self-crosslinking pure acrylic polymer emulsion acrylic to meet the challenges of concrete sealing applications. The sealer must remain durable over time by resisting the deteriorating effects of UV, water, and other elements, such as exposure to chemicals and vehicular traffic.

When formulated into a sealer, Crilat 5850 offers improved performance properties versus various types of 100% acrylic polymers, while allowing for sealer formulations with a VOC content of less than 100 g/L. The highlighted performance parameters of this nanomaterial include:

• Early water resistance and blush resistance
• Dries to form a tough film when properly coalesced
• Chemical resistance
• Efflorescence resistance and wet look
• Hot-tire pickup resistance

Multifunctional Nano-polymer Emulsion for Wood Stains & Coatings

Exterior wood stains and coatings need a balance of properties to ensure proper product application, product aesthetics and resistance to the effects of long-term weathering caused by UV degradation, rain, and temperature variations. Traditional coating products can swell the wood grains upon application.

Vinavil Crilat 7829 is a nano-sized, self-crosslinking pure acrylic emulsion that enable high performance without compromising on the visual appeal of the coated product. Its nanosized polymers and multifunctional nature ensures exceptional wood penetration properties without affecting the wood grain.


Additionally, Crilat 7829 can be used to formulate tannin blocking primers which resist the discoloration of a wood coating applied over woods rich in tannins.

• Highly versatile in formulating wood stains and coatings
• Dries to a tough yet flexible film
• High weathering resistance in hot and cold climates
• Excellent water resistance
• Very high blocking resistance/high piling speed

To analyze the robustness of coating, an accelerated aging test was performed on Crilat 7829 coated wood for more than 2000 hours. To test its real-time efficacy, the coated wood was also subjected to 24-month exposure with temperatures ranging from -10 degrees Celsius to +20 degrees Celsius. These results affirm the quality of Vinavil’s offering for the wood coating market. To avoid discoloration of wood due to leaching of tannin from wood, Crilat 7829 can be formulated into a tannin-blocking primer with the addition of a certain proprietary additive.

What’s next for Vinavil nanotechnology developments?

Vinavil is currently engaged in the development of high-performance coating products for the textile industry, and considering their track record, the company is optimistic that their new offering would be an exciting development for the textile industry.

Discover more about VINAVIL nanomaterials in these case studies and technical data sheets.

»  Crilat 5850: Get high performance at low VOC for concrete sealers





»  Crilat 7829: Multifunctional nano-polymer emulsion for wood stains & coatings





»  CRILAT 4815: Nanolatex Formaldehyde-free, odorless pure acrylic water-based dispersion





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