Paints and Inks Solutions

MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, USA: Dow Corning Corporation, an innovative leader in the development of fluorosilicone technology for coatings and other industries, will present research findings in New Anti Fingerprint Coatings, a presentation at the 11th annual International Coatings for Plastics Symposium™ this April.

The presentation, based on work by Dow Corning and Daikin Industries, Ltd., will focus on recent advances in the hybridization of perfluoropolyether polymers modified with organofunctional silanes. During their research, Dow Corning and Daikin found creating an anti-fouling surface on plastics has many advantages, including a reduced need for cleaning, better aesthetics, and improved safety.

“This advanced coating technology can be used on many common plastics such as acrylic, PMMA, and polycarbonate, in addition to glass and metal,” said Steven R. Block of Dow Corning’s Fluorine Business Program. “This high-performing material achieves sustainability through cost effectiveness for its intended applications.”

New Anti Fingerprint Coatings is from a report jointly developed by contributors from Dow Corning and Daikin Industries. Block will present findings, including how the hydrophobic and oleophobic properties obtained with polymeric coatings containing fluorine and silicon offer good roll off properties and very high water and oil contact angles. He will also discuss the weather resistance and durability that are achieved by the inclusions of alkoxy silane-reactive components to the patented polymer composition.

The Coatings for Plastics Symposium explores the emerging trends in the coatings for plastics industry and defines technologies that will have an impact on the industry’s future. The event will take place April 21-23, 2008, at the Westin Yorktown Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Dow Corning’s fluorosilicone technology platform is an important development that offers innovation and sustainability enabling improved surface performance. Active in the plastics industry, Dow Corning offers a wide and growing range of silicon-based product and service solutions. With its patented versatile fluorosilicone technologies, the company is developing new or improved materials for driving customer growth in existing and new markets with high-value, differentiated products. This technology platform can provide distinct competitive advantages and offer an option for replacing regulated fluorine-based products. For more information about Dow Corning’s silicone-fluorine coatings, contact Block at steve.block@dowcorning.com. For more information about Dow Corning’s plastics solutions, visit www.dowcorning.com/plastics.

Block is the commercial development manager for Dow Corning’s Fluorine Business Program. His responsibilities are to lead, manage, and direct global sales of new products, applications, and services involving fluorosilicone technologies for the Coatings, Textiles, Construction, and Automotive Industries. During Block’s 23 years with the company, he has held positions in Strategic Business Development, Supply Chain Engineering, Technology Management, Product Development, and Application Engineering. He earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla and an M.S. in Engineering Management from Wichita State University in Kansas.

“Coatings for Plastics Symposium” is a trademark of BNP Media, publisher of PCI Magazine.

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For editorial assistance, contact Nancy Collins, AGP & Associates,
+1 (989) 839-5800, collins@agp-inc.com.

About Dow Corning
Dow Corning provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the United States.