Innovative Sol-Gel Coating Solutions for Extraordinary Performance

SOL-GEL OVERVIEW

What is a Sol-Gel

Sol-Gel

Sol: an extremely small solid particle (typically nanoparticle) of any element or molecule.

A well-known sol is “aero-sol” (aero = air, sol = solid).

The most common aero-sol is smoke, where the large amounts of sols (tiny, solid particles of carbon) behave as a gas.

A sol-gel is simply a large amount of sols behaving as a liquid.

Proven

Sol-Gels, commercialized in the 1960s, improved scratch resistance on automotive parts (metal bumpers, mirrors, etc.), but required an hour at high heat (500-600F) to cure.

Similar to many of the original sol-gels, E-14 Polymers’ sol-gels consist of nano particles of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2 or Quartz). E-14 Polymers are essentially liquid quartz—which is why our coatings are so extremely hard and abrasion resistant!

The E-14 Difference

Most importantly, E-14 Polymers include two important innovations:

• Our sol-gels cure in ambient conditions—eliminating the high heat cure requirement of other sol gels.

• Our sol-gels utilize silanes allow them to chemically bond to substrates for far superior adhesion vs. mechanical bonds.

SOL-GEL PROCESS OVERVIEW

The sol-gel process is a chemical method used to produce solid materials from small molecules. This process can be broken down into several stages:

1. Sol Preparation: A sol is prepared by dissolving a precursor material in a solvent.
Hydrolysis and condensation reactions occur, leading to the formation of colloidal particles suspended in the liquid.

2. Gelation: As the sol ages, the particles grow and link together to form a network, transforming the sol into a gel—a semi-solid, porous network filled with the solvent.

3. Aging: The gel undergoes aging, where the network structure strengthens, and the solvent gradually leaves the pores. This step can be controlled to achieve desired properties.

4. Drying/Curing: The gel is dried to remove the remaining solvent, resulting in a porous solid. The drying process can be done under ambient or controlled conditions, affecting the final properties of the material.

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WHAT MAKES E-14 DIFFERENT?

E-14 is unique as it does not require mechanical abrasion for adhesion, it bonds chemically.

E-14 does not require a high film build for durability and performance; less film build is actually optimal.

E-14 is highly chemically resistant, abrasion resistant and corrosion resistant.

E-14 is inert and will not react chemically when cured.

E-14 is an inorganic compound, meaning we are based on creating coatings without carbon-based chemistry.

E-14 “plays well with others” as our primers and topcoats can be used with other chemistries to create new products or coating systems.

E-14 is fully oxidized upon cure, which also makes it UV stable*

E-14 can be a custom fit, need a specific application? We can help with that!

*UV transmission that may affect the underlying layer can still occur.

WHY E-14 PRODUCTS?

COST-EFFECTIVE IN CERTAIN SCENARIOS

Material Efficiency: E-14 can be more material-efficient, using less raw material to achieve the desired coating thickness and properties. In some cases, only one coat of the product is needed.
Labor Efficiency: With the reduction of the need for mechanical abrasion E-14 can eliminate the need for prep work in some if not all applications. Gone are the days of sanding or grinding for adhesion in certain production scenarios.

ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

High Durability: E-14 can provide excellent resistance to abrasion, scratches, and wear, extending the lifespan of the coated surface.
Corrosion and Chemical Resistance: E-14 offers superior protection against corrosion and chemical attack, making it ideal for harsh environments.

THIN FILM FORMATION

Uniform Coatings: E-14 Clear can produce an extremely thin, uniform film build with precise control over thickness, which is difficult to achieve with some other coating methods.
Smooth Surfaces: E-14 Clear allows for the creation of smooth, defect-free surfaces, which are essential for optical and electronic applications.

ADHESION AND COMPATIBILITY

Strong Adhesion: E-14 products exhibit excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates, including metals, glass, ceramics, and polymers.
Compatibility with Various Materials: E-14 can be applied to substrates that might not be compatible with other coating types, offering more flexibility in material choice.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PROCESSING BENEFITS

Low-Temperature Processing: E-14 application and cure processes can occur at ambient air temperatures. Comparing this to other coating techniques, this may reduce energy consumption and the risk of thermal damage to sensitive substrates.
Chemical adhesion: E-14 does not require mechanical abrasion which reduces or eliminates the air-borne particulate matter created by grinding or sanding. Not only does it protect the environment it also protects the end user from accumulation of micro-sized particles in airways and passages.

OPTICAL CLARITY

Transparency: E-14 coatings can be produced to be highly transparent, which is crucial for optical applications like displays, polished metals and protective covers.

INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS

Custom Coatings: E-14 allows for the incorporation of customization, and we are always innovating. We can provide solutions for unique properties such as adhering solvent-based coating systems to stainless steel or adding in photo responsive dyes for application verification.
Multifunctional Coatings: E-14 technology can combine multiple functionalities into a single coating, such as combining chemical resistance with antibacterial properties.

E-14 Polymers Are Industrial Grade Products Specified For Manufacturing & Industrial Applications

E-14 Polymers: Chemically Bonded for Superior Performance

APPLICATION POSSIBILITIES

Versatile Coating Solutions: Enhancing Performance Across Multiple Applications

Dip Coating: The substrate is dipped into the E-14 Sol-Gel, withdrawn at a controlled speed, and then dried. This method is suitable for uniform coatings on complex shapes.
Spin Coating: E-14 is deposited on a rotating substrate, spreading out to form a thin, uniform film. This method is commonly used for flat substrates like glass or silicon wafers.
Spray Coating: E-14 is sprayed onto the substrate, useful for large or irregularly shaped surfaces.
Roll Coating: A roll-to-roll process where the substrate is passed through a bath of E-14, suitable for continuous production.
Flow Coating: E-14 is flowed over the substrate, used for large flat surfaces or complex geometries.

E-14 Polymers Partners Closely With You To Solve Coating Requirements

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