Making Cleaner Surfaces

Abstract

Surface coatings give mechanical protection as well as optical and financial appreciation to surfaces of any kind. Dirt pick-up or bio-fouling of coatings are accordingly not only an optically adverse progresses but lower the value of the coated object. To minimize the loss of protection and depreciation due to dirt pick-up and bio-fouling, coatings are renewed on a regular basis, with accompanied costs for material and labor. Here, an improvement of the coating and a resulting cleaner and more resistant surface for a longer period of time would give a longer service life and thus reduced costs for the user. This paper reports strategies to decrease dirt pick-up and bio-fouling of coatings with the addition of silica particles.