FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Graphene is so expensive, how is it possible to make them into coatings?
The purest form of Graphene is indeed expensive, however we utilise a variety of graphene additives in our coatings like Graphene Oxide (GO) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) that do not require large amounts to exhibit required capabilities.
Is Artdeshine Nano Graphene Coating a one-atom thick layer of Graphene on the treated surface?
No. Coatings are not made purely with these materials so their structure is not to be confused with the structure of these additives! Pure graphene by itself is a material with a one-atom layer structure. GO by itself can be multi or single layer structured while CNTs are tube-like in structure. Graphene materials like GO or CNT are used as additives in our coatings and hence the structure of the coating is dependent on the COATING itself and NOT the GO/CNT.
How does Graphene additives work in a silicone polymer matrix?
We disperse graphene additives that are processed into nano sized particles smaller than 1 micron into the formulation, hence the name Nano Graphene Coating. To compare, a strand of human hair is about 50 microns. The coating itself is NOT made purely from graphene materials. With nano sized particles, we are able to increase the particle count of GO or CNT to provide a higher concentration and thorough coating surface coverage.
Ceramic Coating VS Graphene Coating?
Most surface protection coatings are made using many different polymers and silanes, and they sometimes contain additives like Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), Silicone Dioxide (SiO2), Graphene Oxide (GO), Diamond Dust, Teflon (TPFE) and many more. This is the reason why manufacturers affix names like TITANIUM, GRAPHENE, DIAMOND, GLASS, CERAMIC, QUARTZ, CRYSTAL to their product. It does not mean that the coating is made entirely using those materials. They are simply just names for ease of marketing. Artdeshine’s graphene coating formulations utilizes the same silicone-based polymers and silanes as with many other brands/manufacturers. We call some of our products “ceramic coatings” too, that does not mean it is made purely from ceramic particles.
Ceramic Coatings are very hard and strong, what about Artdeshine Coatings?
The fact that most manufacturers prefer to cure them into a glass-like material that is hard, transparent and reflective. However, many do not know that these “Ceramic Coatings” can also be cured into softer more flexible materials. For ease of identification’s sake, many prefer to associate hard and tough coatings as “Ceramic Coating”. Artdeshine coatings cures into a softer (but still hard tough!) and more flexible material due to the type of silicone polymers and curing agents used for certain functional properties like slickness.
Ceramic Coatings are very hard and strong, what about Artdeshine Coatings?
the fact that most manufacturers prefer to cure them into a glass-like material that is hard, transparent and reflective. However, many do not know that these “Ceramic Coatings” can also be cured into softer more flexible materials. For ease of identification’s sake, many prefer to associate hard and tough coatings as “Ceramic Coating”. Artdeshine coatings cures into a softer (but still hard tough!) and more flexible material due to the type of silicone polymers and curing agents used for certain functional properties like slickness.
Ceramic Coatings are very hard and strong, what about Artdeshine Coatings?
the fact that most manufacturers prefer to cure them into a glass-like material that is hard, transparent and reflective. However, many do not know that these “Ceramic Coatings” can also be cured into softer more flexible materials. For ease of identification’s sake, many prefer to associate hard and tough coatings as “Ceramic Coating”. Artdeshine coatings cures into a softer (but still hard tough!) and more flexible material due to the type of silicone polymers and curing agents used for certain functional properties like slickness.
Ceramic Coatings are very hard and strong, what about Artdeshine Coatings?
the fact that most manufacturers prefer to cure them into a glass-like material that is hard, transparent and reflective. However, many do not know that these “Ceramic Coatings” can also be cured into softer more flexible materials. For ease of identification’s sake, many prefer to associate hard and tough coatings as “Ceramic Coating”. Artdeshine coatings cures into a softer (but still hard tough!) and more flexible material due to the type of silicone polymers and curing agents used for certain functional properties like slickness.
Ceramic Coatings are very hard and strong, what about Artdeshine Coatings?
the fact that most manufacturers prefer to cure them into a glass-like material that is hard, transparent and reflective. However, many do not know that these “Ceramic Coatings” can also be cured into softer more flexible materials. For ease of identification’s sake, many prefer to associate hard and tough coatings as “Ceramic Coating”. Artdeshine coatings cures into a softer (but still hard tough!) and more flexible material due to the type of silicone polymers and curing agents used for certain functional properties like slickness.
Artdeshine coatings are softer so it is not scratch resistant?
To simply put it, soft or hard, brittle or flexible, thin or thick, a coating’s ability to resist abrasion and scratches is not significantly dependent on the hardness, toughness or thickness. Any product applied by hand to a surface is too thin to exhibit any real scratch resistance (9H scratch test rated coatings or otherwise). The real reason why a treated surface is able to reduce chances of scratching is due to the slickness, lack of friction and smoothness of surface.
What is 9H Scratch Resistance or MOHS Hardness Scale?
9H is the grade of pencil tip used to scratch a surface to measure abrasion resistance while hardness is measured using the MOHS Scale. Some brands or manufacturers use the words “9H Hardness” that carries no meaning.
Will Graphene additives in coatings increase the hydrophobic properties?
Depending on the type of graphene additives used. Graphene Oxide used in our coatings are not functionalised to improve repellent properties, there are used only for corrosion resistant properties, whereas CNT increases the coating’s anti-static properties which in turn improves it’s repellent properties.
Will Graphene additives in coatings increase the hardness or abrasion resistance?
Most of the coating’s hardness comes from the silicone polymer material while abrasion resistance comes from the lack of friction due to the slickness our products exhibits. Graphene Oxide as an additive does nothing to increase coating hardness. However, the use of CNT as an additive has demonstrated improved coating hardness.
Will Graphene additives in coatings increase slickness by touch or surface smoothness?
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Will Graphene Oxide (GO) in coatings increase reflectivity/gloss?
No. These properties are entirely dependent on the polymers used. In “Ceramic Coatings” that are cured to be hard and transparent, these usually look like optically transparent glass, which gives reflectivity (shine) and gloss.
What is the percentage of Graphene/SiO2 in the coating?
We would first need to clarify that some silicone polymer coating cures to form a layer of silicon polymer structure or derivatives on the substrate, that is the reason why brands would claim “High SiO2 Content” or “100% SiO2 Coating”. In actual fact, the coating itself in uncured form comprises MAINLY of polymers, resins, solvents and silanes while many other ingredients including additives like SiO2, TiO2, GO, etc. are low in percentage.
Because Graphene Coatings are NOT made from Graphene itself but are only used as additives, the question “what is the percentage of graphene in the coating?” becomes irrelevant since this is not an indicator of performance and having that knowledge will not serve any purpose for installers using the product. And we are always transparent about the contents of our products and confidently say that our coatings with GO additives contains approximately 0.05g-0.1g nano-sized GO per 1000g of coating solution in terms of weight, that is only 0.00005-0.0001% of total coating composition by weight (or 100ppm), while our coatings with CNT additives range from 100ppm – 1000ppm. Additives like these do not normally constitute a majority of total composition as using more might do more harm than good.
How do we understand all of this simply?
A simple analogy would be that the base coating formula itself is coffee, made up of silanes, polymers, solvents. The ADDITIVES are like sugar that you add to the coffee to enhance it. Would you make a cup of coffee with 99% sugar or milk?
Are Artdeshine Coatings Compatible with PPF and Vinyl?
Yes, Artdeshine coatings cure flexible so the coatings will not interfere with the self healing properties of the PPF.
Are Artdeshine Products White Labeled?
All of Artdeshine coatings and sealants are designed in house. Artdeshine products manufactured and shipped all in house.
Any Other Questions?
Any other additional questions that have not been addressed here can be sent to [email protected]. We will get back to you with 24 hrs.