IMPREGNATING EMULSION CONTAINING NANOPARTICLES (TiO2, SiO2 AND ZrO2) REDUCING WEAR AND IMPROVING THE HYDROPHOBIC PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS SURFACES

The basic component of an impregnating liquid is methyl-silicon resin. An aqueous emulsion was formed using a suitable solvent (e. g. xylene) and water. The emulsion had to be further thickened to increase the viscosity of the resulting solution. The silicone component can be very effectively transported deep into the structure of the material via a carrier solvent of water and a residual solvent. To increase the utility properties (hydrophobic and antisoiling) of the emulsion nanoparticles were also added to the emulsion. The protective layer is developed on the basis of nanotechnology. Due to their nanometric dimensions (10 - 30 nm), nanoparticles can penetrate into the porous structure of the substrate. A thus prepared impregnating emulsion was applied onto the various substrates e. g. polycarbonate, automotive paint and a geopolymer material. The treated samples were further tested for changes in contact angles (changes in hydrophobic properties), abrasion resistance by means of tribological tests, and resistance to elevated temperatures.