Superhydrophobic & Hydrophobic Coatings

NANOMYTE^® SuperCN

SuperCN^TM is a durable, highly hydrophobic coating originally designed for metal surfaces, but can also be used on a variety of other surfaces, including plastics, glass, painted surfaces, and fabrics. The patent-pending coating has a unique combination of properties that includes hydrophobicity and oleophobicity, with specifically good adhesion to stainless steel, superior abrasion, and erosion resistance. While the coating was originally developed for promoting dropwise condensation on stainless steel condenser tubes to enhance heat transfer efficiency, it can also be used to impart anti-fouling and easy-to-clean properties to other metallic surfaces, such as brass and titanium.

NANOMYTE^® SuperCN is a two-part coating solution and can be applied by dipping, flowing, spinning, rolling, spraying, gravure and reverse gravure. For applications where a primer is necessary (such as polymer substrates), NEI supplies a primer product – NANOMYTE^® SR-Primer – which works well with a range of plastics.

Physical Characteristics:

• Product Form: Two-part liquid coating solutions
• Color: Part A – Translucent; Part B – colorless
• Mix Ratio (A:B): 3:1 (by weight)
• Viscosity (20 °C): 5 – 15 cP (mixed)

Technical Data:

• Contact Angle on Fully Cured Film: 105 – 115° (water); 60-70° (hexadecane
• Abrasion Resistance (ASTM D1044): Δ Haze < 2% (polycarbonate substrate, CS-10F wheels, 500g load, 500 cycles)
• UV Resistance: No visual damage after 200 hours of dry QUV test – 1.5 W/m² @ 340 nm, 55ºC
• Curing Temperature: 85°C (minimum recommended)
• Cured Film Thickness: 1 – 10 µm (min / max recommended)
• Coverage: 400 – 600 ft²/L (theoretical @ 3µm DFT)

Surface Preparation / Primer Application:

Ensure surfaces to be coated are clean and dry – the surfaces should be water-break free before coating application. The coating can be applied with or without the use of a primer depending on the substrate. NEI supplies a primer product, NANOMYTE^® SR-Primer, which works well with a range of plastics. The primer may be applied by dipping, flowing, spinning, rolling or spraying.

For spray application of the primer, an HVLP spray gun with a nozzle size of < 1.0 mm is recommended, and the pressure should be set at approximately 25 to 30 psi. The primed parts should then be dried at 70ºC for 10 min before application of NANOMYTE^® SuperCN.

Coating Application:

It is recommended that coating application be performed in a clean environment to minimize surface defects. To make the coating solution, in a dust-free container combine Part A and Part B using the following ratio: 3:1 (A:B) in weigth. Mix well by stirring briefly (avoid vigorous stirring to minimize foam formation). The coating may be applied immediately after mixing by dipping, flowing, spinning, rolling or spraying.

For spray application of the coating, an HVLP spray gun with a nozzle size of < 1.0 mm is recommended, and the pressure should be set to approximately 25 to 30 psi. For best coating performance, use the coating solution within 24 hours after mixing, or store the mixed solution in a freezer for later use. If stored in freezer, warm the solution up to room temperature before application.

Curing Conditions:

NANOMYTE^® SuperCN is thermally cured at an elevated temperature. Recommended curing conditions:

• PMMA: 4 hours at 85°C
• Polycarbonate: 1 hour at 120°C
• Other: 30 minutes at 150°C (for substrates that can withstand high temperatures)

Shorter cure times / reduced temperatures may also be used depending on surface properties and performance requirements;
test samples for desired performance when deviating from recommendations.

For complete specifications and application instructions, please refer to the Technical Data Sheet.

Precautions for Safe Handling:

Appropriate personal protective equipment should be used at all times. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Provide good ventilation or extraction and avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of vapor. Keep away from heat, sparks, flames and other sources of ignition. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

For complete safety information, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (Part A) ♦ (Part B)