PAINT & POWDER
9H Ceramic nano-coatings - how to tell a fraud or a fake from the real McCoy ?
The saying ‘ you get what you pay for ’ certainly applies to nano-ceramic coatings . While you may feel it a reasonable risk in a grocery shop to swap to a lesser-known brand of tea or coffee , when it comes to sourcing functional nano-ceramics , it ’ s crucial to choose knowledgeably to ensure that the performance lives up to the billing .
Simon Mercer of Signo-Nanocare UK Ltd runs through a four-point check list that allows you to sort the fake nano-ceramics from the genuine article , thus avoiding disappointment from a lack-lustre performance .
First and foremost , if it sounds too good to be true , it probably is , so it always pays to be cautious . Once you know what to look out for in the product description and how to check for the key performance parameters , it becomes simpler and easier to spot a fake which might claim to have true nano-ceramic strength performance – but actually contains much lower specification active ingredients . Here are four points to include on your checklist : -
1 ) What does it smell of ? A true nanoceramic will smell of ammonium hydroxide . This is because polysilazanes , which are crucial for effective bonding , can only be manufactured using it ; if it doesn ’ t smell of ammonium hydroxide you should start to be concerned .
2 ) Is it sensitive to humidity ? A nano-ceramic is sensitive to air humidity and will react accordingly as it creates a chemical bond – no reaction to air humidity leads to one conclusion – it ’ s not a nano-ceramic
3 ) What type of container does it come in ? Nano-ceramic coatings cannot be packaged in plastic bottles as the liquid may expand during transportation and temperature change . Which may compromise the plastic bottle . Therefore , the “ genuine article ” will be packaged in aluminium or glass bottles , an easy visual check .
4 ) Take another sniff , there should be no ethanol or solvent smell , as the silane or polysiloxane technology that is used to make nano-ceramics doesn ’ t require the use of ethanol . Ethanol is however associated with “ normal ” SiO2 ( quartz ) nano-coatings , so it may well be that the product doesn ’ t contain the actual nano-ceramic element .
While we live in an age of digital communications and websites , nothing beats having a conversation with a person . Speak to the supplier with the following checklist and look behind the web-content : -
What ISO standards and other parameters has the product been tested to ?
Is there a range of strengths ?
Where and for what is it already being used ?
Is the company knowledgeable ? Any case studies available ?
Is the SDS sheet readily available ?
Are they a credible supplier with a track record the nano-ceramics / coatings market ?
Finally , comes price : Is it what you would expect to pay for the performance claimed ? If it ’ s much less – why , what ’ s the difference ? If much more – what are the added performance benefits – do you need them ?
Irrespective of how much you plan to use , or the purpose , take the time to ensure that you approach your product selection from an informed viewpoint .
Contact Simon Mercer on 01691 654282 or email info @ nano-care . co . uk
Visit : www . nano-care . co . uk
66 MARCH 2022 twitter : @ surfaceworldmag