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Eliminate the need for frequent maintenance with NEI’s Anti-Ice Coatings
NEI’s Anti-ice Coatings impart anti-icing properties to the underlying substrate, reducing ice adhesion by up to 80%, and thereby preventing dangerous ice build up. The nanocomposite coatings are hard and transparent, while providing a smooth and glossy finish with low haze. SuperAi is a versatile coating that can be applied directly on a variety of substrate materials, including plastics, metals, glass, concrete and ceramics. The low viscosity formulation spreads quickly – even over complex surfaces – and cures under ambient conditions.
SuperAi Product Sheet »
In independent tests performed at multiple sites, it has been shown that NANOMYTE® SuperAi reduces the adhesion strength of ice by 60 to 80%, compared to bare metal and painted surfaces. This in turn leads to reduced ice accretion. The use of SuperAi in applications such as wind turbines, overhead high voltage power lines, transportation, marine, and others enhances productivity and energy efficiency, thereby providing a good return on investment.
SuperAi coatings are easy to use, single component coating solutions. It can be applied by brush, spray, or wipe with no primer or curing required. The dry film thickness can be adjusted to be in the range of 5 – 15 microns (1/5th to 3/5th of a mil) and only one coat is required to cover the substrate.
SuperAi is available in two formulations, original and with UV protection.
NANOMYTE® SuperAi can be applied directly on a variety of substrate materials to reduce the ice adhesion of treated surfaces (including plastics, metals, glass, concrete and ceramics) by up to 80%, thereby preventing ice buildup. The low viscosity formulation spreads quickly – even over complex surfaces – and cures under ambient conditions. The transparent coating is hard and dense, while providing a smooth and glossy finish, with low haze.
Technical Information: SuperAi SDS ♦ SuperAi TDS
NANOMYTE® SuperAi-UVP is a nanocomposite coating with enhanced weatherability that imparts anti-icing and UV-protective properties to the underlying substrate. In addition to shedding ice buildup, the single component coating helps keep surfaces clean, while also providing protection from the harmful effects of UV radiation. SuperAi-UVP maintains excellent hydrophobicity, with a static water contact angle of 100 – 105° (even after 2,000 hours of QUV exposure) as well as a low ice adhesion value of less than 1 psi after more than 1,000 hours of exposure.
Technical Information: SuperAi-UVP SDS ♦ SuperAi-UVP TDS ♦ Learn More about NEI’s UVP Technology »
It is recommended that coating application be performed in a clean environment to minimize surface defects. The coating can be applied by immersion, spraying, rolling, or brushing. Only one coat is required to cover the substrate. Under ambient conditions (25°C / 77°F, 50% RH), a single coat is 5 – 15 µm (0.2 – 0.6 mil) thick. Dilute with isopropanol as needed.
Surface Preparation:
Ensure surfaces to be coated are clean, dry, and in sound condition. Before applying SuperAi, remove all oil, grease, dust, dirt and other foreign material by using an appropriate cleaner. To ensure that the surface is completely free of oil and grease, use a lint-free white cloth with a solvent such as alcohol or acetone, and wipe the surface. If the cloth remains white, the surface is clean; if the cloth turns dark, continue cleaning until it remains white. Once clean, SuperAi can be applied by following the instructions below.
Application by Spraying:
When surface preparation is complete and surface is dry and free of dust, begin application using a high volume, low pressure (HVLP) spray gun with a 1.0 size tip and the pressure set at approximately 25 to 30 psi. On a separate piece of cardboard, first spray a test pattern to achieve a 6” to 8” elongated pattern approximately 1½” wide in the middle and fluid enough to cover but not puddle. If there is high wind, this will affect the quality of the finish as blowing wind can disrupt the spray pattern from your HVLP. It can also contribute to contamination of the finish with blowing dust. It may be necessary to erect a windscreen to protect the area. Once the spray pattern is achieved on the test cardboard, spray one coat in a cross-pattern; left to right, then up and down. This will provide sufficient coverage and will help prevent holes in coverage. Desired wet film thickness (WFT) is approximately 2.0 to 2.5 mils (spraying undiluted solution).
If using spray application method in an enclosed space, make certain to tent off the area being sprayed with plastic tarps to avoid spray dust from traveling and contaminating other surfaces with overspray dust. Tented and enclosed areas always require to be positively supplied with fresh air and have ventilated exhaust to outside using fans. Never spray near any open flame or any possible source of ignition such as pilot light, or anything that may spark, as this may cause ignition and explosion of the fumes and vapors.
Application by Rolling:
Make certain the surface is clean as per preparation instructions. Using a white, ultra-smooth high-density foam roller, pour SuperAi into a roller pan and completely saturate the roller. Apply in a cross-pattern; left to right, then up and down as quickly as possible as the coating dries fast. Avoid down pressure on the roller to achieve a better looking finish.
Application by Brushing:
Make certain the surface is clean as per preparation instructions. Select the appropriate size brush width based on the surface area being coated. Using only a good quality China bristle brush, apply SuperAi in a cross-pattern; up and down, then left and right. To obtain the best results, do not overwork the coating as it dries fairly quickly. Do not bear down with the brush. Use light strokes using the tip of the brush to smooth out the coating. Desired wet film thickness (WFT) is approximately 2.0 to 2.5 mils.
Ambient Curing: Under ambient conditions (25°C / 77°F, 50% RH), a single coat will be dry to the touch in 1 hour and completely cured in 24 hours.
Accelerated Curing: In order to accelerate curing, let the coated surface dry in ambient air for 10 minutes and then heat to at least 105°C for a minimum of 5 minutes, preferably ~15 minutes. An oven, blow dryer, or heat gun may be used (maximum temperature is 150°C).
For complete information and instructions, please refer to our Technical Data Sheets: SuperAi TDS ♦ SuperAi-UVP TDS
Precautions for Safe Handling
Appropriate personal protective equipment should be used at all times. Provide good ventilation or extraction. Avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of vapor. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Keep away from heat, sparks, flames and other sources of ignition. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Conditions for Safe Storage
Avoid storage over 100° F and contamination with incompatible materials. Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, well ventilated place. Protect from moisture. Residual vapors might explode on ignition. Do not apply heat, cut, drill, and grind or weld on or near this container.
For complete information on the safe use of this material, please refer to the Safety Data Sheet: SuperAi SDS ♦ SuperAi-UVP SDS
NANOMYTE® SuperAi and SuperAi-UVP are available for purchase in liter or gallon (~3.8L) quantities, as well as higher volumes by request. Alternatively, NEI offers custom coating services for a nominal fee and would be happy to coat your sample substrates for evaluation purposes.
Submit a quote request by completing the form below (* – required fields).
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide free samples.
Ice formation on the leading edge of an aircraft is a common aviation danger, playing a key role in many catastrophic accidents that have killed people and destroyed aircrafts. A manufacturer of de-icing systems brought up the idea of combining an active de-icing system with a coating that easily sheds ice. The challenge presented to the engineers and scientists at NEI Corporation was to develop and demonstrate a coating that exhibits durable anti-ice performance and satisfactory wear and erosion resistance… continue reading »
