Non Stick Coatings With Silicone - Better Than Teflon? Or Just A Mess!

Thinking of non stick coatings with silicone? But, thencoherent. And that involves choosing products that are
thoughts of 'non-permanent', migratory, even messycurable, cross-linkable.
compounds come to mind?Today, silicone coatings are often integrated with
Well, it's certainly understandable. After all, silicone, as aresin-fillers. This results in greater density, more
temporary release agent, can transfer in measurablecohesive strength. Imagine a 'stretching' phenomenon
amounts to the released surface. No different thanat the sticking interface. Here, the silicone compounds
soaps, oils -- or fluorocarbons! Their effectiveness, youare now stiffer, comparatively inelastic surfaces with
see, comes from weak boundaries formed betweenbetter energy absorbing capability.
the two surfaces. The result: surface contamination!Translation: A non-migratory coating with sustainable,
But it doesn't have to be that way. New formulationshigh release.
of silicone abound. Many in fact are proving to beFor applications requiring release from pressure
surface free from migratory species.sensitive adhesives, these newer formulations of
Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS for short) are ansilicone are ideal. So, packaging equipment designers
excellent example. Low surface energy comes fromand manufacturers take note!
the dimethyl surface to the air. (A convenient measureToday, custom coaters take these products a step
for this is surface tension, about 20-22 dynes/cm.)further. Using 'external' forms of reinforcement such as
Coupled with a highly flexible, unhindered polymericplasma spray, their abrasion resistance--a term
chain or backbone (Si-O-Si bonds) unlike Teflon, makescompletely uncharacteristic of silicone--is now a reality.
silicone release coatings unbeatable.So, yes, silicone non stick coatings will continue to
But, for silicone to be non-migratory, its film must beemerge, and evolve.