New anti-graffiti topcoats for PVC and PU coated fabrics

To prevent spray paints, ink and co. from sticking to surfaces, or to facilitate their removal, substrates can be given anti-graffiti coatings by way of a precaution. A variety of coating systems are available for hard substrates such as facades or steel structures. ROWA Lack has concentrated on the development of anti-graffiti coatings for flexible PVC and PU web material for use in the field of synthetic leather, for example. The challenge here is to not only offer protection against graffiti but also improve the mechanical and chemical resistance of the surfaces whilst retaining the flexible properties as well as the look and feel of the base material as best as possible.

With ROWAKRYL^® M‑34992 and ROWAKRYL^® G‑34994, ROWA Lack has managed to develop a glossy and a matt lacquer to satisfy these customer requirements. Both lacquers are transparent, solvent-free 2K systems that have been optimized to a pot life of more than eight hours. What’s more, they contain no solvents that are on the SVHC candidates list. Before processing, 2‑3 percent of ROWASET 63762 has to be added to allow the lacquers to develop their full properties. After their application they have to be dried for one minute at 140 °C. The lacquers are preferably applied directly to the web material with a rotogravure cylinder or doctor blade.

The ROWAKRYL^® systems presented here are very resistant to solvents and chemicals and have a high scratch resistance. In addition, surfaces coated with ROWAKRYL^® M‑34992 and ROWAKRYL^® G‑34994 are characterized by a low propensity to soiling and are very easy to clean. Dried permanent marker or ballpoint ink, for example, can usually be removed effortlessly and without leaving any residues on coated synthetic leather surfaces using a dry cloth.

In the field of water-based coatings the combination of ROWAKRYL^® G‑34710W and ROWASET 64092W provides a 2K anti-graffiti system that has already proven its worth on TPU film. A further optimization of the existing system and the extension of the range of applications to include artificial leather, for example, are the topic of current development activities – if you are interested, our experts will be pleased to advise you.