The two new additives for water-based paints and coatings offer improved coverage, durability and washability without affecting pH.
The Brazilian nanotechnology company Gerdau Graphene, specialised in advanced graphene-enhanced materials for industrial applications, has recently announced the commercial availability of two new additives specifically formulated for waterborne paints and coatings. Produced with the proprietary G2D technology of the company, NanoDUR and NanoLAV use graphene nanoplatelets to offer performance improvements without altering pH levels.
The two new additives also deliver excellent coverage, durability and washability while also minimising the overall environmental impact, reducing or eliminating the need for some traditional manufacturing inputs, additives and processes, thus also lowering production costs.
“Until recently, it has been virtually impossible for coatings manufacturers to upgrade product performance, slash manufacturing costs, and improve sustainability at the same time - it simply couldn’t be done. Now, the application of carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene, in commercially available additives has made this possible and will act as a game-changer for the industry,” has stated Alexandre de Toledo Corrêa, the CEO of Gerdau Graphene.
The paints and coatings formulate with NanoDUR are able to withstand wear, tear, weathering and other external factors that can lead to degradation over time while maintaining physical and chemical properties, such as colour and adhesion as well as a strong resistance to chipping, flaking, cracking, fading and peeling.
NanoLAV, on the hand, improves the washability and moisture-resistance coated surfaces in tropical and subtropical regions, enabling them to withstand cleaning or washing without degrading, dissolving, peeling or fading when exposed to water, mild detergents or other cleaning agents. It is then suitable for hospitals, schools, kitchens and in locations that are prone to stains, dirt and other contaminants. Moreover, it can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for high-alkaline washability promoters such as sodium silicate, which can harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems.
“NanoDUR and NanoLAV represent the new performance, economic, and sustainability edge for coatings manufacturers, enabling them to leapfrog competitors across the value chain. These are the newest in our growing portfolio of graphene additives and we’re excited to partner with industry leaders to develop even more novel, powerful applications for graphene,” has concluded de Toledo Corrêa.