Whether you’re looking to protect, beautify, or waterproof a substrate, there’s a coating for that. Now, with the advancements in coatings technologies, many applicators are looking for a do-it-all solution, in the form of multifunctional coatings.
With the advent of multifunctional coatings, formulators like Riteks can serve multiple marketplace needs with one product. In addition to more conventional needs, newer coatings can also offer all-new attributes and benefits.
Let’s take a look at a few of the new benefits of multifunctional coatings.
One of the more interesting advancements in the coatings industry has been the arrival of self-healing coatings. Prominent in products ranging from cars to cell phones, these coatings are also known as self-repairing coatings.
Self-healing coatings are able to cover their own cracks through migration of surface particles, which patch over damage to the surface.
Self-cleaning coatings, contrary to what you might expect, don’t scrub themselves clean. They are, in fact, superhydrophobic, so much so, that when they come into contact with water, the water takes with it any accumulated dust and dirt.
These coatings, as the name implies, prevent moisture accumulation and cause water to flow away from the protected surface. You’ll see water–repellent coatings used everywhere from fabric protection to concrete. With more industrial applications like concrete, users spray water-repellent coatings to make sidewalks and other surfaces less prone to puddling and retention of water, which can change the performance and shorten the lifespan of concrete itself.
Antimicrobial coatings aid in the destruction of bacteria in places of sensitive need or those known for the prevalence of bacteria. Applicators typically spray antimicrobial coatings to prevent mold, mildew, and other microbes in places like door knobs and handrails. You’ll also see antimicrobial coatings in areas where airborne bacteria may cause special harm, as in ductwork for HVAC systems.
Many industrial coatings designed for more general substrate protection must also specifically prevent rust. These coatings prevent rust-forming chemical reactions from occurring on metals and work to minimize surface contact with water.
Sometimes, coatings must resist other chemicals, as with tank liners or even to resist application of graffiti. While at first it may seem that a chemical or other coating is successfully applied and is damaging the integrity of the chemical-resistant coating, the substrate is actually cleaned easily, due to the failure of the newly-introduced chemical to adhere.
In today’s coatings environment, technology is king. At Riteks, we market multifunctional coatings tailored to meet multiple business objectives, and we also offer custom-blending for manufacturers looking to optimize blends through turnkey service that includes formulating, packaging, and logistics. Riteks is ready to help with your multifunctional coatings needs–contact us today.
