Specialty / Functional Coatings
For Your Individual Use
Steam/Wetting Promoter
In steam irons, sole plates treated with LUDOX
® colloidal silica help water droplets spread evenly on the surface of the steam chamber and quickly turn to steam.
This reduces the tendency of the iron to expel water droplets from the steam chamber onto the fabric being ironed. Colloidal silica may be used to improve wetting or adhesion properties of a variety of substrates.
Photographic Coatings
LUDOX
® colloidal silica can be used to strengthen photographic films and improve resistance to roller marks.
It can also improve the contrast and clarity of photo-sensitive papers and extend the lifetime of printing plates.
In addition, it helps to eliminate fog patterns in photographic emulsions and improves printing characteristics, the adhesion of back coatings, and antistatic properties.
Surface Sealant
LUDOX
® colloidal silica and Lithium Polysilicate may be used to seal the surface of porous substrates such as wood, concrete or surfaces coated with latex paints.
Latex Coatings, Adhesives
The addition of colloidal silica to latexes used as adhesives increases bonding strength to smooth surfaces such as paper, fabric, leather, or glass.
LUDOX® colloidal silica particles align themselves with latex particles. When the latex coalesces during drydown, the silica becomes an integral part of the matrix.
The addition of 5-20% silica (based on polymer solids) improves adhesion, durability, and chip and scrub-resistance.