Extrusion International 2-2017

29 Extrusion International 2/2017 coatings suitable for polymer surfaces. These waterrepel- ling microstructured and nanostructured coatings ensure that any water remains a liquid, even at temperatures below zero, resulting in a 90% reduction in ice adhesion compared to uncoated surfaces. The trick: The surfaces provide the water molecules with no crystallization nu- clei. Plasma technology is used to deposit the structured coatings onto plastic films made of impact-resistant poly- urethane (PU). The coatings are not only of interest for wind turbines: these functional surfaces can also be ap- plied to aircraft wings and solar panels. Furthermore, an- ti-icing coatings can also be directly applied to fabrics and plastics, for example for winter sports clothing, tents, and other outdoor articles. Easy cleaning - printable films - water-repelling textiles Regardless of whether the requirement is for anti-fouling and easy-to-clean surfaces, printable films, or eco-friendly water-repelling textiles, the Fraunhofer IGB usually uses plasma processes to create these new surface properties. Plasma processes allow the top layers to be removed, so generating pristine surfaces and enabling chemical func- tionalities or other layers to be applied. Selection and control of the chemical processes enable the scientists at the Fraunhofer IGB to customize the surface energy and hence the wetting properties. This enables even textiles to be effectively equipped with water-repelling or oil-re- pelling properties – in an eco-friendly way without harm- ful byproducts or waste products. “Intelligent” materials via roll-to-roll processes Whilst the properties of most synthetic materials are fixed, many biological systems have the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Materials are, however, now being developed with properties which “change” on exposure to external stimuli. These so-called “intelligent” materials change, for example, when ex- posed to various physical and chemical stimuli such as temperature, light intensity, and pH or due to biomole- cules such as proteins. This is being achieved using special polymers developed by the Fraunhofer IAP. This develop- ment work is being supported by surface technologies which allow even these intelligent materials to be manu- factured on a large scale in roll-to-roll processes. In addi- tion to classical methods such as corona and plasma treat- ment, printing methods (entire surface or structured) are widely used for the functionalization of surfaces. extre x 6 CLASS GEAR PUMP Our Innovation Enables Your Success Q Product Quality 6 Streamlined Linearity Elimination of incoming pulsations to maximize your product uniformity Q Volumetric Efficiency 6 Efficiency +50% Instant Flexibility Reduced back-flow to offer you the choice between higher differential pressure or boosted throughput rate To learn more, please visit www.maag.com Please come and see us at Chinaplas: Hall 5.1, Booth S61 www.ivv.fraunhofer.de Fraunhofer scientists study how anti-icing coatings affect the freezing behavior of water droplets in an icing chamber (© Photo Fraunhofer IVV)