The UNIRAC technology is based on an innovative concept utilising the extreme reactivity of activated metallic nano-particles to induce reactions leading to producing coated substrates based on transition and post transition metals including Ti, Zn, Sn, Si, Al, Ag, In, Co, V, Ni, Cr, Fe, Cu, Pt, Pd, Ta, Nb, Zr, Rh, Ru, Mo, Os, Reand W.
Products Include
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Coated flakes and coated powders based on any one or any number of the base metals. E.g. Coatings based on Ti, Cu, Zn, Si, Sn, Fe, Ta, CuZn, WMo….
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Glitter: Mica and glass flakes coated with metallic elements or oxides.
- KinMica™: mica flakes coated with metals based on Ti, Cr, Ni, Fe, Cu, Sn, Ag…. or the metal oxides. A variety of colours are available ranging from metallic silver to black, gold, red/brown, orange and green. E.g. Mica flakes with bright silver-like titanium coating.
- KinGlass™: glass flakes coated with metals based on Si, Ti, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ta, Mo, Sn, Ag…. or the metal oxides. Colours can be from metallic silver to black, gold, and from brown reddish to maroon. Products in this series include various functional systems, including anti-microbial systems based on Cu, Ag and Sn.
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Effect pigments based on metal compounds (oxides, silicides…). E.g.
- Metallic titanium pigments based on Ti-O with excellent brilliance and with hues/colors ranging from golden shade to black diamond.
- Cu flakes based on Cu-O with a range of maroon and brown shades.
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Functional pigments based on Zn for anti-corrosion or Cu for anti-fouling.
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Pigments based on alloys of the base metals. E.g. Flakes based on stainless steel, superalloys, Cu-Ni…
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Multi-layer coating. E.g. Borosilicate flakes coated with multilayers of Ti, V, Zn,Cu….
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Supported catalysts; Kinaltek can produce an extensive range of coatings based on combinations of the base metals or metal compounds with the potential for use as supported catalysts.
Advantages
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Products can be made to any required composition based on the base metals.
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Low energy requirements.
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Minimum waste; for a number of compositions, the technology produces no waste at all.
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A one step process.
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Low cost; low labour cost and low capital cost.
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A versatile R&D tool for developing new pigments and new catalysts.
APPLICATIONS: EFFECT PIGMENTS, PLASTIC ADDITIVES, INK, SUPPORTED CATALYSTS….
Products of the UNIRAC process can be tailored to any required composition based on the base metals. The products may be used in auto-paint, plastic additives, functional pigments (e.g. anti-corrosion and antifouling), ink and supported catalysts.
Metallic flakes produced by the UNIRAC process have high brilliance and good hiding powder and therefore are excellent for use as metallic effect pigments – and dual functional/effect pigments in paint and coating applications. The technology can produce unique compositions and effects which are otherwise difficult to manufacture using existing technologies. Examples include Ti metallic flakes and alloy-based flakes.
MATERIALS
The pigment substrate can be conducting or a dielectric and may be made of stable or reactive compounds; examples of suitable substrates include particulates based on glass, mica, dielectric materials, graphite, carbon fibre, metal oxides, metallic powders, and metallic materials.
CHARACTERISTICS
Substrates can have any shape with dimensions from less than 100 nm up to more than 10 mm.
Film thickness can be controlled depending on required product characteristics. Also, pigment colour can be altered and a wide range of hues and shades can be produced.
