Antistatic coatings for flooring by ionic liquids

Status

completed

Summary

The tendency to electrostatic charge is at least an unpleasant property, which is unfortunately typical for many floors in the living area. This is especially the case with laminate flooring, but also coatings based on UV-cured binders (e.g. acrylates, sometimes also modified with oils based on renewable resources) which are not optimal regarding the antistatic behaviour. Especially the quite often demanded scratch- and abrasion-resistance has induced to several modifications of the coatings, which made the situation even worse. Human beings are oblivious of electric charges but are able to feel occurring electrostatic fields or electric discharge currents. Frequent electric strokes cause insecurity and affect the well-being. Sometimes also technical instruments (e.g. computers) are negatively affected. Problems can only be observed at voltage > 2 kV (EN 1815). These effects are not to be expected at values of the surface resistance < 1010 ? (EN 1081), but current state-of-the-art coatings have values above this limit. In addition, currently available antistatic additives have very bad long term behaviour due to leaching.

Therefore, the aim of this research project was to find and evaluate ionic liquids as additives in coatings to improve the above mentioned situation. These highly innovative substances offer beside several other advantages the possibility for tailor-made solutions (e.g. by the variation of anion and cation). In addition, they can be cross linked with the binder due to functional groups. Thus, leaching can be prevented.

The development of antistatic floorings with a permanent effect based on VOC-free UV-curing materials is a new and innovative technology for an efficient dealing with resources. The consequent orientation on the wishes of customers is for example pointed out in the significant improvement of well-being and in the easing the burden of maintenances.

After a screening and a subsequent optimization of the structure some substances could be identified, which are able to realize an antistatic coating (< 2 kV, EN 1815). First prototypes could be produced. However, it was not possible to optimise the composition of the coating regarding cost- and material-efficiency. Therefore, some additional experiments are necessary, before a commercial realisation is possible, but the fundamentals for a successful implementation are available.

Project management

Dr. Albert Keiler
ADLER-Werk Lackfabrik Johann Berghofer Gmbh & Co KG

Project collaborator:

Dr. Albert Keiler, DI Dr. Albert Rössler, Michael Löschl, Mag. Christian Vetter, Daniel Auer
ADLER-Werk Lackfabrik Johann Berghofer Gmbh & Co KG

Project or cooperation partner

• Prof. Dr. Herwig Schottenberger, Mag. Gino Bentivoglio
  Universität Innsbruck, Institut für allgemeine, anorganische und theoretische Chemie

Johann Berghofer GmbH & Co KG
Bergwerkstraße 22, A-6130 SCHWAZ
Tel.: +43 5242 6922-700
Fax: +43 5242 6922-709
E-Mail: albert.keiler@adler-lacke.com
Internet: www.adler-lacke.com