Functional surfaces
Development of new surfaces adapted to customer needs
Development of functional surfaces tailored to the customer
Functional surfaces allow us to modify the surface of a material to protect it against external agents, avoid the deposition of substances, improve its properties or achieve new functionalities that the base material does not have.
We transform the surface of materials such as steel, aluminum, plastics, glass, foams …
Our service is flexible and covers from the selection and development of the coating or material, the performing custom tests and its industrial implementation .
With the application of the techniques shown below you can achieve improvements of different properties depending on the technique used.
What we do about functional surfaces
Development of functional surfaces
In case that there is no solution in the market, ATRIA develops its own solutions in its Materials laboratory .
Technology selection
Application
Tests and trials
All functional surfaces, whether own developed or existing solutions, must be tested to verify that their functionality is as expected and that it meets all customer requirements. Smart materials need specific tests, in case the test does not exist, we will develop it for you.
Technologies linked with development of functional surfaces
Additivation
Additives allow modifying and improving the physical, chemical and process properties of the polymer. Read more
Roll-to-roll
Roll-to-roll generates a microstructure in the material that is transfered through its rollers giving it new functionality. Read more
Laser
Laser allows decoration of materials, cutting, welding, microstructuring … Read more
In mould microstructuration (IMM)
Modification of the structure of the molds to transfer different patterns and functionalities to the injected parts. Read more
Technology functionalities of functional surfaces
Easy to Clean
Improves surface cleanliness, preventing stains from depositing. The bonds that form between the possible stain and the surface are very weak.
Self-cleaning
Water produces a drag effect of dirt, keeping the surface clean. It can be useful in both aesthetic and functional applications.
Anti-frost
Prevents icing by avoiding contact with water. The ice does not crystallize and improves the efficiency of the devices.
Anti-lime
Condensation
Anti-fingerprint
Anti-corrosion
Prevent corrosive agents from touching the substrate and the appearance of rust.
What can be achieved with functional surfaces?
Reduction of deposition of substances or stains
Improve abrasion resistance
Coatings
These coatings can improve the properties of the final product: surfaces that are better cleaned, materials with anti-condensation properties or others to prevent the formation of ice.
Additivation
Additivation consists in adding compounds that improve the basic characteristics of the polymer when injected.
For the selection of the best percentages of additivation of the compound, small-scale prototypes are carried out to which they are subjected to different tests depending on the characteristic to be tested.
Additives can improve from condensation, sliding between parts, static electricity, adhesion …
Laser
When using a beam of light as means to mechanize and modify the materials, there is no direct contact with the pieces, so unlike with the milling cutters, and other traditional mechanization technologies, the laser does not suffer wear and does not require consumables.
Another point to keep in mind is that, by using special optics, a laser beam of very small diameter can be achieved, being able to be smaller than 10 micrometers. This makes it very effective for applications where a unique quality and precision is required, or sizes so low that it is impossible to do it by another method.
The versatility of this technology, together with its processing speed and its unique characteristics of sizes and qualities that it can produce, make laser technology key to many industries.
Roll to roll
Roll-to-roll technology transfers the microstructuring present in its rollers to the polymeric film or metal coil that passes through it. The functionality is applied permanently, without adhesion problems.
It is used in sectors such as packaging and also in applications such as anti-counterfeit bills or items for pharmacy.
IMM - In mould microestructuration
Unlike with coatings, we do not add material, but selectively remove parts of the material to have a microstructure.
This pattern can provide the surface with new properties such as superhydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, condensation, anti-ice or water slipping. The functionality will depend on the geometry and size of the microstructures.
The microstructures have greater durability than the coatings and environmentally it is more efficient since the use of solvents is avoided.
To industrialize this technology in polymers, the mold is textured where the piece is injected with the appropriate microstructure. Thus, during the injection we get a transfer of the structure from the mold to the polymer.
The main advantage of this technology is that it is not necessary to additive the polymer, nor add an additional process in the manufacture of the component to apply a coating. It is a process that is carried out continuously without altering the manufacturing process.
The applications are both aesthetic modifications, such as sliding, self-cleaning or condensation.
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