Nanovations is utilizing Nanotechnology for multifunctional clear exterior wood finishes

Wood represents a class of substrates of its own, with highly special challenges for clear wood finishes. Long-term outdoor performance, light stability, high transparency with ideal accentuation of the wood grain, as well as good moist control and water resistances are the major issue that govern this field.

UV protection is one of the hottest topics in wood products development today. UV radiation is the main factor for clear exterior wood coatings to fail, or not to be used at all.

Exploiting their optical transparency, Nano-particles play a major role in new developments Nano the Greek word for dwarf seems to become the key word of the 21st century.

Nano-scale means something small and in the Nano-science more correctly something which is smaller than 100 nanometer. In more technical terms, the word 'nanometer' means 10-9, or one billionth of one meter.

Nanotechnology opens a completely new world of opportunities and solutions in all kinds of areas. An example for daily use is copying the water and dirt-repelling effect of leaves of the Lotus flower, and to use it for applications like self cleaning, windows and paints to name just a few.

How can such small things make a difference to clear wood finishes?
Clear, transparent and thin finishes that protect wood without hiding its natural beauty, and without compromising the permeability to water vapor, are the target of many coating manufacturers. It is also on top of Architects and designers wish lists, due to a higher demand of wood in sustainable building designs.

Until now, the best protection from the sun's ultraviolet radiation is obtained from pigmented products, which tend to cover the wood's natural grain and texture, creates a problem of balancing aesthetics and protection. Nanovations Lignol® products are finding the right balance between aesthetics and durability with the help of Nanotechnology.

The use of new Nano-size UV absorber makes it possible to ad the UV protection in much higher concentration without altering the transparency and the appearance of the coating.

The primary crystallite size is significant smaller than other absorbers. The very uniform particle size enables clear impregnating wood protection with unseen performance but also with great aesthetics.

The blend in combinations with light stabilizers adds to the performance and makes it possible cover a wider range of the UV radiation spectrum. Additional hydrophobic, nanoscale active substances create an excellent moist regulating and water repellent properties.

The first coatings utilizing these technologies, has been released by Nanovations Pty Ltd in Sydney, Australia. Targeting wood exposed to harsh environments, like the marine teak market for yachts and boats, and external wood decking and structures, the clear impregnating solutions has shown outstanding performance against the age old dilemma of wood changing color or turning grey due to UV related oxidation.

As a complete clear and transparent impregnations, the products meet the highest aesthetic expectations of boating professionals and Architects.

Lignol® Teak Guard Marine is placed in an environment where not only UV radiation is high. Salt spray and abrasive salt crystals, moist and water, but also a lot of foot traffic on a relative small area, makes it one of the hardest to treat wood substrates on the market.

The good performance of Lignol® Teak Guard Marine in such a harsh environment can be taken as an indication what this technology can do on wood facades and structures in "normal, everyday" environments.

The performance has been confirmed with accelerated weathering tests and 'real life' performance tests with customers. Furthermore are the products in an exposed weathering l ab in Townsville in tropical north-eastern Australia, a global reference location for natural and accelerated exposure. The test samples are exposed to 310 day of sun a year, and to one of the highest monitored UV radiation levels in the world.

Nanovations Pty Ltd is offering clear coatings for exposed wooden floors, decking, outdoor furniture and facades and for multiple wood species and heat treated wood.

Representing the latest water based, solvent free and VOC free coating technology, Lignol® coatings are environmentally friendly to the highest international standards.