New paints developed for hazardous, explosive work areas by EU-funded project

The European Union (EU)-funded TransCond project developed a range of sprayable, transparent and conductive coatings and paints for industrial sites, where an errant spark could lead to a fire, explosion or damage to electrical equipment, said the European Commission in a statement on Monday.

The project's partners, including three small to medium-sized business (SMEs) from Britain, Cyprus and Poland, developed the new paints to replace conventional coatings normally used in such areas, and launched commercial products for the market after the project ended in October 2013, said project coordinator Tadeusz Spychaj, a chemistry professor at West Pomeranian University of Technology in Poland.

Conventional coatings used in hazardous areas are usually made with metals fillers such as silver, nickel, copper or indium tin oxide, which are expensive and difficult to recycle.

Moreover, the metal fillers are mixed with highly volatile solvents, which pose a potential health risk to humans if inhaled.

Instead, TransCond developed a way to make the new coatings, paints and varnishes from carbon nanotubes and grapheme to replace the metals and solvents, which have extraordinary mechanical, electrical and thermal properties and can improve the hardness, electrical and thermal conductivity of conventional polymeric coatings.

The new coatings can be used to cover machine parts, oven doors, protective screens, walls and floors. All meet EU standards for use in explosive environments, or in places where the build-up of static electricity might pose a problem.

"Such next-generation conductive coatings technologies are needed to meet the growing market needs for good quality products that are cheaper, environment-friendly and safe," said Spychaj, adding that "the new TransCond products will help the three SMEs compete in a growing and increasingly competitive market." Endit