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Frequently Asked Questions about our self clean nanotechnology coating:
- Why OUR coating a quick guide
- How is the process applied?
- On what surfaces does this coating work?
- What is Nanotechnology?
- Why is the self cleaning glass coating not applicable on plastics or metals?
- How does the self clean coating process work?
- Once treated with this self cleaning glass coating process, will I still need to clean my glass?
- How much does it cost to have a glass surface treated with this special self cleaning surface?
- What care and maintenance does the self clean coating need?
- Is this Nanotechnology application environmentally friendly?
- What is the difference between the 'self-cleaning' glass using the titanium dioxide coating and our self clean coating?
- What are the differences between hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings? Are they both resistant to scratches?
- What does 'contact angle' mean?
- Is this coating colourless?
- What is the life expectancy of the coating?
Please visit our NEW BalcoNano ® website: www.BalcoNano.com
1. Why OUR coating a quick guide
Your glass with this coating will remain cleaner for longer and will required a lot less cleaning. Maintenance will be reduced by at least 50% and can be even up to 90%.
We can compare this protective coating very much to the way Teflon ® protects your frying pan, it is not that your frying pan does not need cleaning if it has Teflon, it’s just that less dirt and grime will stick to it and it will be much easier to clean.
With our solution you get the coating on
both sides of the glass! Letting you enjoy the benefit of the self cleaning coating on the inside as well as on the outside.
2. How is the process applied?
There are two application methods: The first is the ultra efficient batch method (for higher volumes, industrial applications), applied with a vapour deposition system on an engineered chamber (air-tight room). The second method is a wipe-on/spray system which uses a liquid in a hand-applied portable fashion; both create our special "cross-linked and branched, capped silicone films" covered in our patents.
3. On what surfaces does this coating work?
This nanotechnology coating chemically reacts with all silica-based surfaces such as glass, ceramic tile, granite and porcelain, as well as other products that contain silica.
4. What is Nanotechnology?
Nanoscale technologies are the development and use of devices that have a size of only a few nanometers. The prefix nano means ten to the minus ninth power, or one billionth. Nanotechnology is measured at the atomic, molecular or macromolecular levels, in the length scale of approximately 1 - 100 nanometer range. Although the main applications of Nanotechnology have been developed in the computer and electronics fields, some other current uses that are already in the marketplace include:
Stain-free clothing, Coatings for easier cleaning of glass surfaces, Bumpers and catalytic, converters on cars, Protective and glare-reducing coatings for eyeglasses and cars, Sunscreens and cosmetics, Longer-lasting tennis balls, Light-weight, stronger tennis racquets, Ink, Water filtration, Step assists on vans.
5. Why is the self cleaning glass coating not applicable on plastics or metals?
The reason is that the molecules do not contain silicon dioxide (silica), which is required for the molecular bond to occur.
6. How does the self clean coating process work?
This unique nanotechnology, patented in the US, uses a two-stage chemical process. The chemical reaction created in the first stage causes a "cross-linked" and "branched" ultra thin silicone film (nanofilm) to be grown from below the surface out. The second stage 'caps' the entire chain of atoms. This unique 'capping' substantially increases the hydrophobicity and durability, leaving, chemically speaking, no points of attachment for contaminants and creating a truly repellent charge. Through simple neutralization, all chemicals become inert within a few seconds. No curing time is needed since the chemical reaction itself occurs in less than 2 seconds.
7. Once treated with this self cleaning glass coating process, will I still need to clean my glass?
Yes, you will. The self clean coating REDUCES cleaning time but it does not eliminate it entirely. The coating is similar to the development of Teflon®* for cooking pans. While you can cook food in uncoated pans, it is so much easier to clean if you cook with Teflon®* coated pans. While you still must maintain your coated surface, the time and effort required are significantly reduced.
* Teflon® is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
8. How much does it cost to have a glass surface treated with this special self cleaning surface?
Prices are determined by project size and quantity but we aim to create this as an industry standard issue with our glass balconies so hopefully in the not too distant future we will be supplying this "as part of the package" so to say.
9. What care and maintenance does the self clean coating need?
Maintenance and care vary substantially according to the type of application (treated surface type and location/exposure) and the abrasion to which the treated material is exposed to. Abrasion means any mechanical (such as windshield wiper on an automobile) or non-mechanical force (such as wind or dust) affecting the treated product. Thus, an exterior architectural glass structure exposed to all kinds of weather conditions will require a much different maintenance and care than an interior kitchen granite countertop, a porcelain sink lavatory or a ceramic tile bathroom wall. While this self clean coating does make treated surfaces water and oil repellent, stain and scratch resistant, among other properties, and lasts for a long period of time (years in most cases), maintenance time is guaranteed to be reduced, depending on the application, by as much as 50% and up to 90%. This coating eliminates the need of any HARSH, EXPENSIVE and TOXIC CHEMICAL CLEANING SPRAYS. Please contact our sales or technical department for the specific maintenance recommendations relating to your application.
It is important not to apply ammonia based cleaners or other cleaners with a high PH (base). These sort of cleaners can remove the coating.
10. Is this Nanotechnology application environmentally friendly?
This Nanotechnology is based on an environmentally safe scientific process. The chemicals used in the patented process have been in use for over 55 years (since early 1945) in the aviation industry, for different applications, and are not found in the "Clean Air Act”(1) or the “Clean Water Act”(2). There are also no PELS (permissible exposure limits) set by OSHA (3). We have implemented, with our extreme eco-friendly philosophy, the highest standards in the handling of chemicals so that any scientific or manufacturing process we may use is safe to the environment. Thus, we have engineered an ultra efficient yet simple neutralization system that renders the chemicals and their by-products completely safe and inert. We strive not only to protect the environment but to preserve it from any contamination or pollution.
11. What is the difference between the 'self-cleaning' glass using the titanium dioxide coating and our self clean coating?
‘Self-cleaning’ glass consists of a hydrophilic (SEE #11) coating with photocatalytic properties fused into the glass at high temperatures during the manufacturing process. The coating reacts with the sun’s ultraviolet light and water (rain or a water spray). Thus, these two elements (sunlight and water) must be present for the coating to be effective, creating a sheeting action so that water can easily rinse the loosened dirt away. Due to its integral characteristics, there are many limitations to this concept of "self-cleaning", such as the following: glass must receive both sunlight and water, it is not applicable to all kinds of glass, cannot be applied in the field but rather at manufacturing level only (thus making repair or replacement a lot more expensive), it’s typically more than 4 times, and up to 10 times, more expensive than hydrophobic coatings. By contrast, this hydrophobic self clean coating requires no ‘activation’ since it chemically reacts during its own process in less than 2 seconds and immediately bonds to the surface. Although other theories refer to the "self-cleaning" glass as those coatings with contact angles in excess of 105º, where the mechanical action required is virtual unnecessary and no accumulation of contaminants occurs. We believe that the term “self-cleaning” may be contrary to the reality and expectations of an uninformed end-user and therefore try to outline all the information herein to bring an understanding and expectation of what the coating can and will do.
12. What are the differences between hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings? Are they both resistant to scratches?
The terms hydrophilic and hydrophobic both indicate an affinity with water: hydrophilic means water attracting and hydrophobic, on the contrary, means water repellent. While hydrophilic coatings are not highly resistant to scratches and may be even more susceptible to scratches (scratches may tend to show more easily), This self clean hydrophobic coating is highly resistant to scratches.
13. What does 'contact angle' mean?
The contact angle, also called ‘wetting angle’, is the angle formed by the material's surface and the tangent of the interface between the fluid (i.e.: water) and the environment at the liquid/ solid (i.e.: glass surface) point of contact.
14. Is this coating colourless?
YES. This self clean coating is in fact optically clear and is guaranteed NOT to discolour, chip, haze or peel off since the chemical bond created is permanent and integral to the substrate at nanoscale levels.
15. What is the life expectancy of the coating?
This will depend greatly on application and maintenance but the coating should have a life of 3-10 years. Renewal packs are available and will renew the coating when required.
Note to end users: The name self cleaning can be misleading, as all types of self cleaning glass will actually require cleaning and maintenance. But as this is what these types of glasses are being referred to in the market place we are following the lead and are referring to these types of glasses as “self cleaning”. It is important that the end user does make themselves familiar with what they are buying or receiving and we have tried to be as informative as possible throughout the website in our descriptions and explanations in a true effort to create true expectations from the product/s.
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