Colloidal Silica for Coatings

July 16, 2020

What is Colloidal Silica?

In simple terms, silica is a product of two natural ingredients, sand and water. Specifically, colloidal silicas are suspensions of fine amorphous, nonporous, and typically spherical silica particles in a liquid phase.

The surface of colloidal silica in contact with water is covered by siloxane bonds (≡Si–O–Si≡) and silanol groups (≡Si–OH).

This makes colloidal silica very hydrophilic and capable of forming numerous hydrogen bonds. Allowing you to meet and stay ahead of regulations while offering your customers benefits such as a more attractive look and smoother surfaces as well as weather resistance and better durability.

Benefits of using Levasil Colloidal Silica in Coatings

Printability
- Enhances printability by improving surface hydrophilicity, resulting in better retention of waterborne ink.

Frictionizing
- Interacts to produce a higher coefficient of friction on the treated surface

Dispersing
- The particles act as a physical spacer, preventing re-agglomeration, and help keep the dispersed material separated by adsorbing on the surface.

Binding
- At high temperatures, colloidal silica particles sinter and bind components together or form a hard-glassy surface coating.
- At lower temperatures, the particles can form an inorganic matrix based on chemical bonds.
- In a polymer resin-based matrix, the surface groups of silane-modified silica particles can react and cross-link with resin groups providing additional binding for the coating system.

Anti-soiling
- Silica particles in colloidal silica dispersions have many surface hydroxyl-silanol groups, which are very hydrophilic.
- This means that water forms a film on the surface, allowing dirt to run off with the water.

Anti-blocking
- Makes surfaces more hydrophilic, causing more moisture to be retained by surfaces during drying, which reduces their tackiness.

Adhesion
- Improve the molecular interaction of waterborne coatings and adhesives with substrates.

Abrasion & scratch resistance
- Increases the cross-linking density of reactive groups in organic resins thanks to its high number of hydroxyl surface groups.

What can Maha Offer?

Colloidal Silica is a truly versatile component that expands possibilities for businesses. Looking to incorporate it into your coatings? Contact us at sales@maha.asia to find out more!