Encapsulation of Reactive Components in Coatings - EnReCom

Project summary

The project EnReCom will investigate the possibility to develop a two component coating system, masked as a one component system. The reactive component will be micro-encapsulated, which will protect the reagent during formulation and storage time until application. The shells will be designed to such an extent that they break upon the mechanical stress during high shear coating application (roller coating, spray-coating), releasing the reactive component for crosslinking, adhesion promotion reactions and the like. Reactive components that could be encapsulated comprise catalysts, crosslinkers, initiators, siccatives, enzymes, active pigments, sol-gel reagents, etc. The result is a one component coating system with the performance of a two component system; there are no pot-life issues associated with these one component systems, significantly reducing waste.