Nanolia Powercoat Series Coatings go Food Safe

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Dr David

Nanolia are proud to announce that all our Powercoat Series of one and two component coatings have been certified Food Safe.

In combination with our Triple C program (Clean, Coat & Care) we now have a complete system for food preporation areas, hospitals, clinics, hotels, schools, coffee shops etc infact anywhere that requires a clean bacteria free environment.

Not only is it safe for food prep areas but the cleaning is totally biodegradable.

Many companies boast of their anti-microbial coating as being helpfull in the fight against MRSA in hospitals. Now Nanolia have the complete solution to the problem.

For further details contact info@nanolia.com

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Fuel savings and performance boost for Cummins diesel

Posted on July 26, 2011 by bob

How good are Nanolia FrictionGuard™ tribological coatings on big diesels?

A transport company in New Zealand has reported substantially reduced fuel consumption accompanied by increased power, higher oil pressure, lower engine temperature and less noise after just 2177 kms of operation following treatment to his Cummins ISX 580 powered truck.

Western Star truck with Cummins ISX 580 saves on fuel

Data from the Dyno tests carried out on the engine at the Cummins facility in Auckland - before & after treatment –  show that in just 30 days of operation there was a fuel saving of 7.3% starting at 1.953 km/L improving to 2.106 km/L and the HP improvement was 2.2% effective across the whole speed range. This fact alone means less gear changes under 44 Tonne load per trip, leading to longer operational life expectancy for the vehicle, a silver Western Star.

The owner was most impressed and so was the driver of the vehicle who reported that the vehicle was “quieter with more power, higher oil pressure and lower engine temperature”.

Due to the long-lasting nature of Nanolia FrictionGuard™ tribological nanocoatings the vehicle will continue to demonstrate these benefits for at least 100,000 kms – even after frequent oil changes – following which it can simply be re-applied to extend the fuel savings and improved performance.

Nanolia FrictionGuard™ offers a wide range of specialised tribological nanocoatings for engines, gearboxes and bearings of all sizes, from motorbikes and generators to marine diesels and wind turbines.

Contact us for copies of the test data and to discuss your application.

Posted in Engine & Gearbox Treatment, FrictionGuard, Safety and Transport | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Does nanosilver occur naturally?

Posted on May 12, 2011 by bob

Seems so! I’m grateful to Toby Gill of the UK’s Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network for drawing this to my attention:

New evidence for natural synthesis of silver nanoparticles

By: Toby Gill May 11, 2011 9:06 AM

Nanoparticles of silver are being found increasingly in the environment—and in environmental science laboratories. Because they have a variety of useful properties, especially as antibacterial and antifungal agents, silver nanoparticles increasingly are being used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. This, in turn, has raised concerns about what happens to them once released into the environment. Now a new research paper* adds an additional wrinkle: Nature may be making silver nanoparticles on its own.

A team of researchers from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), the State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reports that, given a source of silver ions, naturally occurring humic acid will synthesize stable silver nanoparticles.

“Our colleague, Virender Sharma, had read an article in which they were using wine to form nanoparticles. He thought that, based on the similar chemistry, we should be able to produce silver nanoparticles with humic acids,” explains FIT chemist Mary Sohn. “First we formed them by traditional methods and then we tried one of our river sediment humic acids. We were really excited that we could see the characteristic yellow color of the nanoparticles.” Samples were sent to Sarbajit Banerjee at SUNY Buffalo and Robert MacCuspie at NIST for detailed analyses to confirm the presence of silver nanoparticles.

“Humic acid” is a complex mixture of many organic acids that are formed during the decay of dead organic matter. Although the exact composition varies from place to place and season to season, humic acid is ubiquitous in the environment. Metallic nanoparticles, MacCuspie explains, have characteristic colors that are a direct consequence of their size**. Silver nanoparticles appear a yellowish brown.

The team mixed silver ions with humic acid from a variety of sources at different temperatures and concentrations and found that acids from river water or sediments would form detectable silver nanoparticles at room temperature in as little as two to four days. Moreover, MacCuspie says, the humic acid appears to stabilize the nanoparticles by coating them and preventing the nanoparticles from clumping together into a larger mass of silver. “We believe it’s actually a similar process to how nanoparticles are synthesized in the laboratory,” he says, except that the lab process typically uses citric acid at elevated temperatures.

“This caught us by surprise because a lot of our work is focused on how silver nanoparticles may dissolve when they’re released into the environment and release silver ions,” MacCuspie says. Many biologists believe the toxicity of silver nanoparticles, the reason for their use as an antibacterial or antifungal agent, is due to their high surface area that makes them an efficient source of silver ions, he says, but “this creates the idea that there may be some sort of natural cycle returning some of the ions to nanoparticles.” It also helps explain the discovery, over the past few years, of silver nanoparticles in locations like old mining regions that are not likely to have been exposed to man-made nanoparticles, but would have significant concentrations of silver ions.

* N. Akaighe, R.I. MacCuspie, D.A. Navarro, D.S. Aga, S. Banerjee, M. Sohn and V.K. Sharma. Humic acid-induced silver nanoparticle formation under environmentally relevant conditions. Environmental Science & Technology, Published online Apr. 1, 2011. dx.doi.org/10.1021/es103946g.

** The effect is called “surface plasmon resonance” and is caused by surface electrons across the nanoparticle oscillating in concert.

 

Source: The National Institute of Standards and Technology – NIST (press release)

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How to use the Nanolia wood treatment products, WoodFresh, WoodBoost and Wood ProDeck

Posted on April 2, 2011 by bob

We are often asked why we have 3 products for treating wood. Are all 3 necessary and if so, how should they be used together? Can I skip Wood Boost?

WoodFresh brings up old grey wood just like new

The answer is that each has an important but different role to fulfill to give wood the very best possible protection. Wood Fresh is an essential first step for restoring the natural colour and texture of grey or faded/weather-bleached surfaces – without the usual rubbing down with glasspaper or sandpaper. It is a highly effective, labour-saving cleaner and refresher for all kinds of timber. It is particularly recommended for use on laminated wooden surfaces where abrasive treatment might remove or significantly damage the top layer. Blue and black fungus, bacteria and weathered and loose wood/cellulose fibres are effectively removed without effort. Amazingly, without any sandpapering or grinding, wood regains its original colour and structure.

Water Droplets on Nanolia WoodBoost. Note high contact angle.

Wood Boost is the next step. Yes, you could miss it out but by using it you will protect the wood surfaces against the adverse effects of the weather, reducing bleaching and greying and extending the life of the wood by up to 4 times longer than if left untreated. The reason is that unlike a paint or varnish, Wood Boost penetrates deep within the wood, strengthening the structure and preventing the ingress of moisture, actually eliminating signs of “wear and tear”. It can also be mixed with wood dyes to achieve the desired finished colour.

Wood ProDeck completes the protection process

The finishing touch is Wood Prodeck which protects woods – especially hardwoods – against water saturation, swelling and rotting. Its breathing and practically invisible coating allows water and oils to simply “pearl-off” taking dust and dirt away. Dirt and stains simply cannot penetrate the wood and therefore there is no marking or flecking. Even in extreme cases of exposure to rain or condensation, the wood absorbs absolutely no moisture – it just remains on the surface where it can be easily wiped off or just allowed to evaporate. This means that drying time is drastically reduced and with no moisture in the pores of the wood, damage from frost prevented. The product is ideal for all types of wood including untreated, absorbent and even pressure- impregnated structural timber. It is able to be used both for indoor and outdoor purposes.

HOW TO APPLY WOOD FRESH

Do not dilute. The surface to be treated must be dry, free of any other coating materials, free of dirt/dust and also any paint remains/particles. If applicable prepare the surface first. Should there be painted surfaces adjacent to the area to be treated, make an experimental test in a place which is not immediately visible. The product should be used at a temperature above 10 °C. Any plants should be first covered for protection, or generously sprinkled with water to prevent any accidental oxidation.

Apply completely covering with a brush and work thoroughly into the wood. On vertical surfaces work from the bottom to the top. Let the coating start working for a period between 1 and 2 hours. Do not let dry out. Apply again if it is going to be dry. Spray the coated area using a pressure jet at an angle of 45 degrees to the treated surface using lots of water. Do not use too much pressure, to prevent damage to the wood fibres. Alternatively use a strong water jet., applying with upward strokes starting from the bottom working upwards, and rinse thoroughly. The quality of the result is more dependent upon the amount of water, rather than the pressure used.

For very heavily soiled surfaces a second treatment may be necessary. The renovation is completed when completely dried. It is essential to wear plastic gloves and protective glasses/goggles together with an overall suit when working with this product because Nanolia Wood Fresh oxidises on the skin or soft membranes.

HOW TO APPLY WOOD BOOST – when the wood is almost completely dry!

Do not dilute. Shake well. The two parts should be mixed completely. The moisture contents of the wood should not exceed 18%. Apply the product with a brush in a thin coating in two layers. After a drying period (dependent upon the moisture of the atmosphere and the absorption of the wood – a period of about 4 to 6 hours), the second coating may be applied. The longer the drying period, the more effective the protection. The intensity of the wood structure and the colour depend upon the method of application and it is therefore recommended to make a trial application.

Make sure that the surface is completely dried when applying Nanolia Wood Prodeck afterwards. It may take several days to have a completely dry surface.

HOW TO APPLY PRODECK

Shake the product well. Use undiluted. The surface to be coated must be dry (wood moisture max. 18%) clean and free of fat/oil. Use a roller or brush to apply very thinly, but covering the entire surface. On absorbent surfaces a second coating is recommended “wet-on-wet”. The more the product enters the wood, the more the preservation lifetime is extended. Superfluous coating product can be removed by wiping with a damp cloth in order to prevent any stickiness. Please avoid putting used material back to the original package. Any materials close to, or adjacent to the surface to be treated do not need to be masked (i.e. glass or rubber seals). When applied to light coloured woods the result is a slight honey-colour.

When Nanolia Wood Prodeck AB is used there will be a slight darkening of the surface. It is possible that some flecking/marking will appear if there are any traces of oil in the treated wood. Previously treated surfaces may be affected in different ways from the weather, and therefore may have various degrees of porosity. As a result there may be a minimal amount of “shadowing”. It is highly recommended to make a “trial-surface” on the surface type to be treated. The drying time is approx. 2 hours. To maintain the “pearling-off” effect a new coating should be applied yearly. The impregnation is active even if the “pearling-off” effect on the surface is reduced. After weather exposure all products may be overcoated with solvent-based paints.

More information about Nanolia Wood protection products

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How to protect surfaces such as marble and granite worktops

Posted on March 21, 2011 by admin

Minerals (Marble and Granite) are notoriously difficult to assess in terms of their porosity and calcium content. This is why we recommend customers to go through a testing stage after the surface has been cleaned. Here’s how it’s done:

Important: before you try any of these tests, you must first remove any traces of previous coatings or cleaning agents. Unless otherwise stated in the Product Information or Application instructions, our products must always be applied to a CLEAN SUBSTRATE.

Cleaning the surface depends on whatever was previously applied to the surface. Petrochemicals, for example, need an alcohol-based cleaner to remove traces of this and then they require a deep clean with Nanolia Preclean or Glass polish depending on the substrate.

This has then to be washed off with clean water and left to dry before applying the product as thinly as possible.

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THE PRODUCT LITERATURE, DO NOT APPLY ANY OF OUR COATINGS ON TOP OF A DIFFERENT TYPE OF COATING!

Once the surface is clean and dry, the testing can commence.

Apply a droplet of water to the surface and observe what happens to it.

1.       If it beads up and does not sink into the substrate then the top should be treated in the same way as glass.

2.       If it beads up but then sinks into the substrate then use Nanolia Stone Coat. This will leave a film on top which will need to be polished afterwards.

3.       If the surface to be treated is glassy and it is a coating which is preferred then Powercoat should be used.

If Stone coat does not achieve the desired result then try Glass Pro – If that does not work try Powercoat. Do not test on the same place!

TO SUMMARISE:

Always test a small sample to ensure that the desired result is achieved before proceeding with the main project. If in doubt, do not proceed.

CLEAN THE PRODUCT WITH ALCOHOL BASED CLEANER THEN PRE-CLEAN OR GLASS POLISH

WASH THE SUBSTRATE WITH CLEAN WATER AND LET DRY

APPLY A DROPLET OF WATER TO ASSESS THE POROSITY

APPLY A VERY THIN LAYER OF EITHER STONE COAT, GLASS PRO OR POWERCOAT

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

STONE COAT

Use undiluted. Application temperature between +5 ° C and 50 ° C. Maximum humidity 95%. The surface must be dry, clean and free from grease and oil. Dust and loose residues Plaster / Cement / Sand / chalk must be removed thoroughly.

Apply by brush, roller or spray. Depending on absorbency apply in one or two operations approx 10-15 minutes apart to complete saturation. Test first to avoid puddling. The surface should be protected for 24 hours after treatment before exposure to rain or water condensation. Within this period avoid close proximity or contact. The drying time can be accelerated by ventilation. Any rain or water falling on the surface in the first 7 days after application should be removed immediately. Chemical resistance increases progressively over the first 4 weeks. Avoid the use of  alkaline floor cleaners during the first 4 weeks. Adjacent mineral surfaces such as glass or tiles should be protected against splashes. Avoid contact with aluminium. Wash off any impurities immediately with water. Application equipment can be cleaned with water.

GLASS PRO

Use undiluted. Do not use at a temperature under 5°C. Do not use in direct sunlight. When using indoors, be certain that there is adequate ventilation at the working place. The surface to be coated must be completely clean and free from fats/oils. The effectiveness and life-span of the finished coating is highly dependent on the preparation of the surface. We recommend the use of Nanolia Glass Polish to prepare the surface. After the surface to be treated has been cleaned it should be thoroughly rinsed-off using clear water and left to dry before proceeding with application of Glass Pro.

Mix the component A with component B in the proportions 1:1 (by volume). Using a lint-free cloth, apply the product to the surface evenly and immediately polish off to a smooth surface free of “striping”. If the surface has “striping”, due to the application of a too thick coating of the product, this may be polished out by the use of a cloth soaked in alcohol.

The protective effect of the product starts after only a few minutes and continues to strengthen over the next few days.

For really heavy duty industrial applications, a subsequent thermal treatment may be employed at a temperature of 220°C for 20 minutes to provide increased adhesion and resistance against frictional forces.

The container with the original product should be securely closed and sealed immediately after use. In the event of a reduction in efficiency, a new coating can be applied at any time. Following the mixing procedure the finished coating solution is able to be used for about 24 hours.

POWERCOAT

Apply at a temperature between +5 °C and +40 °C. Avoid direct sunlight. The surface should be cleaned (free from fats, polishes, waxes and surfactants), dry and free from dust and any fatty/oily materials. The base surface to be treated must be thoroughly cleaned, dry and free from fat/oil, and also free of any silicone, wax or polish traces using Nanolia PreClean. Pre-treatment with Acetone is not sufficient.

Application is possible using the accepted methods (rolling, brush-painting, spraying or by immersion). To achieve the most successful surface HVLP Spray application is recommended. It can be applied alternatively with a roller or a lint-free cloth. Irregularities and striping of the surface can be corrected by the use of a PU-foam roller (using high pressure on the roller).

Please note that only a minimum surface thickness is needed !

Coating thickness: 3 – 10 µm (dry)
Dilution: Do not dilute
Color: Transparent, no gloss
Temperature Stability: -20 °C to +150 °C
Pot-Life: 15 – 30 minutes, keep bottles closed !
Dust Dry: After about 1 hour (at 20 °C)
Finally Dry: After about 2 -3 days (at 20 °C)
Second Coat: Not necessary

NB: read the information sheets carefully. Do not forget we are dealing with chemicals and chemical reactions and it is therefore very important to understand how and why our products do what they do.

When used correctly be assured there is no better product on the market!

Posted in Application Notes, Marble & Granite Worktops, Nano-coatings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping vehicle windscreens clear and clean with Nanolia Glass Clear

Posted on March 18, 2011 by admin

Sent: 14 March 2011 21:17
To: ‘Nanolia’
Subject: Glass Clear

Hi David

Having applied the Nanolia Glass Clear product to my vehicle windscreen I have to say I am most impressed with the way the product performs. Living in the UK, at this time of year the climate can be quite variable and I have to say that since applying the product over a month ago it’s performance has not in anyway been affected by the changes in temperature.

What I have found is that when I am driving at a speed over 40 MPH in the rain the windscreen will remain clear and free of water without using wipers, providing a much more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.

I have also found that if dirt does accumulate on the treated area it is easily washed during a rain shower, and if you use the wipers the windscreen is quickly cleaned without any streaks or grease. All in all a fantastic product.

Best regards

David Wilkin, Nanolia Europe Sales Manager

More about Glass Clear

Posted in Glass & Ceramic Coatings, Highways & Byways, Nano-coatings, Safety and Transport, Testimonials | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Nanocoating makes your old car look like new!

Posted on March 4, 2011 by admin

With Nanolia Surface Protect System …

Before Prep & Coat

Nanolia Director Dr David Cochrane reports that he treated an old Vauxhall Astra which had faded quite badly from the intense sunlight in Cyprus.  One application of Nanolia Surface Protect Prep brought the car back to its original colour, while an application of Nanolia Surface Protect System Coat now preserves its pristine appearance against further ravages of the elements.

After Clean and Coat
After Prep and Coat

Nanolia Surface Protect System is a complete product range for cleaning, regeneration and care of painted surfaces, metals, glass fibre and plastics. COAT is a long-lasting solvent-based fine polish with a special “easy-to-clean” nanotechnology additive. Tired and dull surfaces can be freshened up and regenerated in just one simple application that at the same time protects the surface and imparts our famous “easy-to-clean” effect.

More information about the Nanolia Surface Protect System

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The new way to remove limescale and rust marks

Posted on February 7, 2011 by admin

Chrome towel rail with limescale

Nanolia™ Lime and Rust Remover is an entirely new breed of stain remover for use on ceramic, glass, enamel, concrete, stone and many plastics. Stains are removed by a unique process in which the remover penetrates through the stain to bring it to the surface where it is gently dissolved. No abrasive effort is required. Dissolved residues are simply rinsed away with plain water, leaving sparkling clean surfaces free of residues and streaks.

Same chrome towel rail - after cleaning with Lime & Rust Remover

Containing no acids, alkalis, bleaches or solvents, it is suitable for the safe and easy removal of even the most stubborn rust stains and lime deposits – it even works on soap scum or urine-contaminated stone.

More information or contact Sales for price and delivery

Same ceramic tile after cleaning with Lime and Rust Remover

Rust mark on ceramic tile
Posted in "Impossible" Cleaning Tasks, Cleaning, Household Cleaning | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping tunnels clean and bright

Posted on February 2, 2011 by admin
Protecting road tunnels from the effects of traffic and the elements has been identified as a major problem on the European mainland, costing millions of Euros in terms of maintenance labour and material costs, not to mention the need for increased lighting at higher wattage to overcome the dimming effect of darkened, matt surfaces. The answer, it turns out, is incredibly simple: make tunnels easier to clean!
Nanocoatings specialist Nanolia has a number of products to deal with the problem including some very powerful yet environmentally-friendly anti-graffiti coatings and removers. However, to deal with the overarching problem they offer some very tough water-based impregnations that can be applied by brush, spray or roller to makes the roofs and walls waterproof, stain resistant and very easy to clean.
Nanolia Concrete Protect is a truly remarkable, easy to apply and environmentally-friendly impregnation that penetrates deeply (some 3mm – 4mm) below the surface of tunnel roofs and walls and reacts with the calcium present in the substrate to form an incredibly hard silicate structure that reinforces stone, masonry, concrete and other cementitious materials. Its’ hydrophobic, chemical resistant and stain protection properties make cleaning easier and help keep road tunnels brighter.
Treated surfaces are waterproof but remain breathable. It is a permanent treatment suitable for the harshest environments having an operating temperature range of -30°C to +700°C and capable of surviving frequent freeze/thaw cycles.
Nanolia Concrete Protect closes the pores and protects the surfaces by creating an invisible smoother, harder surface with an extremely high resistance to chemical attack and abrasion. In particular, because it is an impregnating, hydrophobic sealer it also protects porous building materials such as brick, tiles, concrete and paving against efflorescence.
Nanolia Concrete Protect is odourless, free from solvents and easy to use. It is non-hazardous and can be applied by brush, spray or roller in temperatures ranging from +5°C and 50°C at up to 85% humidity. It performs best in cementitious products with high calcium content. For treating of non-cementitious materials or where oil is a problem Nanolia recommends the use of Nanolia Stone Coat which has almost the same longevity as Tunnel Protect but is less resistant to acids. It does however, have the added benefit of being oleophobic, i.e. totally resistant to oil and grease.
For further details of Nanolia Stone Protect, Stone Coat and related products such as Nanolia Graffiti Removers contact David Wilkin, European Sales Manager on +44 (0) 7725 362 072 email: daviduksales@nanolia.com
Posted in Anti-Graffiti, Concrete Treatment, Highways & Byways, Nano-coatings, Stone Treatment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New coating technology for glass and ceramic surfaces

Posted on January 4, 2011 by admin

Nanolia Glass Clear™ and Nanolia Glass Pro™ are advanced products based on the latest research into coating technology for glass and ceramic surfaces. Their easy-to-clean effect results from a chemical reaction of a sol gel solution. After the curing process a cross-linked, three dimensional nanoscale structure is created – only a few atoms thick. These structures give the glass an extremely durable hydrophobic effect. The completely invisible treatment cannot be removed by water, cleaning agents or with high pressure equipment.

This extremely thin coating provides the lowest consumption rate on the market with previously unheard of coverage rates of 100 square metres per litre!

No wonder we’re proud to state that Nanolia Glass Clear is the most cost effective and fastest to apply glass coating solution available. But while Glass Clear gives long term protection lasting several years, for an even longer working life – especially for surfaces such as floors and worktops – we offer Nanolia Glass Pro, a professional two part formulation that lasts 3 times longer.

And for a perfect job on dirty and weathered surfaces, Nanolia has special abrasive cleaning system that has been developed to prepare surfaces and remove contamination prior to treatment.

Nanolia Glass Polish™ is a water-based solution that is the essential easy-to-use pre-treatment for removing stains caused by hard water, silicones and wax, paint and cement. Even stubborn stains such as from joint sealers and render can be removed – completely scratch free!

How clean is clean?

The superior efficiency of the Nanolia Glass Cleaner can be easily tested by simply spraying water onto a cleaned area. The water flattens and spreads out with a near zero contact angle to form a thin film with no droplets, which is the accepted standard indication of perfectly clean glass.

Nanolia Glass Clear, Glass Pro and Glass Cleaner are highly recommended for use on all glass surfaces such as:

  • Car and truck windscreens
  • Boat and yacht glass
  • Building windows and glass
  • Shower screens
  • Farming machine windscreens
  • Mining equipment glass
  • Aviation glass

Try them and see!

We supply special trial kits for evaluation and small area applications. Please contact us for further details or if you have any questions.

Posted in Glass & Ceramic Coatings, Nano-coatings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment