Functional and specialty coatings

How each functional coating works

A functional coating adds a specific performance property on top of color and protection. The mechanisms below are general coating science; Orbit's specific performance figures are confirmed per specification.

• Antibacterial coatings incorporate silver ions, a well-established antimicrobial. Silver ions disrupt bacterial cell function and inhibit reproduction on the coated surface, which suits high-contact, hygiene-sensitive environments such as healthcare, transit hubs, hospitality and food retail.
• Thermal-insulation coatings use near-infrared (NIR) reflective pigments that reflect a large share of the sun's heat energy while keeping the desired color. The effect is a cooler surface, which reduces heat transfer into the building or enclosure behind it, useful on rolling shutters, facades and roofing in hot climates.
• Hydrophobic / easy-clean coatings reduce the surface's affinity for water, so rain beads and runs off carrying dirt with it, and contaminants are easier to wash away. The practical benefit is lower cleaning frequency and a surface that stays cleaner between cleans.
• Antistatic coatings reduce the build-up of static charge on the surface, limiting dust attraction and protecting sensitive environments and electronics. They are typically transparent, thin and easy to clean.
• Sol-gel nanocoatings form an extremely thin, glass-like inorganic-organic film, typically transparent and very thin (roughly 100 nm to 10 µm), with excellent chemical and weather resistance. They can also act as an adhesion-promoting primer beneath a topcoat, and depending on formulation can deliver self-healing, hydrophobic, antibacterial, antistatic or thermal-insulating functions.