An injection-grade additive that makes plastic surfaces highly repellent to water, dirt, mud and ice was introduced today by NBD Nanotechnologies (Boston, MA). The additive is the first product in the company’s RepelShell line to reach the market.
The patented formulation is composed of functionalized molecules that are drop-in additives during plastic compounding. NBD’s hybrid molecule combines organic and inorganic elements that impart desirable structural and thermal properties.
The nanostructured chemical is added to plastics in a powder form to create hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. The plastic retains all of its intended mechanical properties, while gaining extreme water and oil repellency at the surface. Because it only requires low-weight loadings, the additive is described as an overall cost-effective solution.