Gerald Frenzer

Commercial Applications of Nanocomposite Sol-Gel Coatings

In contrast to commercial state-of-the-art coatings, the use of nanocomposite materials allows a very precise tailoring of the needed surface properties. Some examples (e.g. scratch-resistant or self-cleaning coatings) are described in this chapter. Beside exceptional material properties, also the material saving is nowadays a great requirement for innovative coatings. New concepts for corrosion protection coatings and catalytic coatings demonstrate possibilities for a more effective utilization of limited or replacement of expensive raw materials such as zinc or noble metals. In praxis, innovative coatings should be flexible adjustable concerning the application parameter. By combining the described reaction principles, silane- and nanotechnology have the ability to create nanocomposite matrices which reveals previously unobtainable attribute profiles which can also be used for new industrial applications.