No, Gentoo is not electrically conductive. It would be considered an electrical insulator.
Gentoo is very durable and abrasion resistant. The ASTM D 3363 pencil hardness of Gentoo applied to hard surfaces is 9H.
Yes, Gentoo is transparent and it retains its transparency even with mild abrasion.
Yes. Gentoo maintains performance after being challenged with a wide range of solvents including mild soap, salt water, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), naphtha, some acids, heptane, jet fuel, deicing fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants, and others. Gentoo does not hold up well with long exposure to very low pH (acidic, less than pH of 3) or very high pH (alkaline, greater than pH of 11) fluids. It is advised to test Gentoo with your specific chemical application prior to adoption.
Longevity of the Gentoo coating will vary based on environmental factors, abrasion, chemical contact, etc.
Gentoo is a new product, developed under a number of military SBIRs (developmental grants) and there has been quite a bit of testing done, but there is still much to learn.
The performance of Gentoo is dependent on the quality of the application of the Gentoo to the surface or substrate (particularly the quality of the adhesion of the Gentoo), the desired performance results (whether it is an easy-cleaning application or an anti-corrosion application), and, if outdoors, the presence of UV stabilizer in the substrate.
For indoor applications (whether it is for corrosion protection or easy-cleaning), Gentoo could last for years before reapplication.
For outdoor applications requiring corrosion protection, Gentoo should last for two or more years without reapplication.
Longevity of outdoor easy-cleaning applications will depend on many factors. After outdoor exposure, it has been observed that the sliding angle of liquids will increase over time, but the coating can still be effective. If the substrate being coated with Gentoo contains a UV inhibitor, the Gentoo could last several years without reapplication, but if the substrate does not contain a UV inhibitor, the Gentoo may only last one or two months, depending on the UV intensity and the abrasion present in the environment of the coating. Testing Gentoo in your specific application is required to determine if it meets the requirements of the application.
The addition of UV inhibitor to the Gentoo formula is under development to extend its outdoor performance and longevity.
The coating thickness is normally 4-6 microns, much thinner than a typical paint.
The initial coating exhibits a contact angle of approximately 110° – 115° for many liquids. The initial watershed angle is normally 5°- 10°.
We have test data showing Gentoo on metal being bent 180 degrees over a 1/8” diameter mandrel, without any cracking, even at -51 °C (-60 °F). The hybrid inorganic-polymer coating exhibits excellent flexibility.
There has not been much testing done showing corrosion resistance versus thickness of Gentoo, as it is difficult to build the thickness of Gentoo (versus a paint that can be built up over itself to achieve a targeted thickness). However, even a thin coating 4-6 microns) of Gentoo will help to prevent corrosion, since it is hydrophobic, and it is insulating and acts as a barrier. Because it is hydrophobic, it will shed water and water-based substances more easily than other surfaces. Because it is insulating, it will inhibit the flow of electricity to the substrate, which slows the corrosion process. Because it acts as a barrier, many liquids that may remain on the surface will be physically separated from the substrate.
Gentoo is not slippery on its own. It is rubbery and may cause a surface to have a higher coefficient of friction than it did before Gentoo was applied.
Gentoo has a glossy finish. Other less glossy finishes are in development. Please contact us for more information.
Gentoo maintains hydrophobicity after being challenged with a wide range of solvents including mild soap, salt water, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), naphtha, some acids, heptane, jet fuel, deicing fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants, and others.
Gentoo does not hold up well with long exposure to very low pH (acidic, less than pH of 3) or very high pH (alkaline, greater than pH of 11) fluids.
It has not been extensively tested, but its repellency does provide it some resistance. It is recommended you test this performance feature of Gentoo for your own specific application to determine its applicability.
The estimated weight of Gentoo is about 0.85 grams per square foot (after full hydrolysis and full curing) at 5-micron thickness. This equates to 0.00187 lbs/sq foot.
No testing has been performed on ultimate elongation, but Gentoo is flexible. Elasticity has not been tested. Elongation beyond 100% would not be elastic. A rubber primer/surface treatment may help adhesion.
Gentoo is an excellent anti-corrosion coating. Gentoo’s dense structure provides a high physical barrier to electrolytes that cause corrosion and an insulating electronic barrier for galvanic corrosion. For best results, a paint or another protective coating should be applied to the substrate, and then Gentoo should be applied when the paint or other coating is still “green” (tack-free but still has reactive groups available to help to bond). Gentoo hydrophobic coating can also be applied to a paint or other coating after it has dried, but surface roughening (if acceptable) is recommended to promote adhesion. Gentoo can also be applied directly to a substrate. In this case, surface roughening (if acceptable) and/or other surface preparation methods are recommended to promote adhesion.
Stretched acrylic, glass, aluminum, stainless steel, brushed steel, polycarbonate panels, wood, rubber, leather, polyethylene, PVC, painted surfaces, marble, granite, and quartzite. Each substrate may have unique challenges including but not limited to: surface preparation, overcoming substrate porosity, shrinkage, and/or stiffening.
Initial testing has shown that ready-mix concrete is easily removed from a Gentoo-treated concrete chute when water is used to clean it. If the concrete is allowed to dry on the chute, the removal of the dry concrete may remove the Gentoo coating. Because of limited testing, these results are preliminary, we recommend that real-world testing is performed on the specific surfaces and the specific concrete in your application.
Gentoo makes a great top coat – it has been coated on bare metal (aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc.), on plating (Cd, Zn-Ni), and on top of current primer/top coats. The coating thickness is normally 4-6 microns, much thinner than a typical paint.
Yes, Gentoo can be successful in these types of applications. Testing prior to adoption is recommended.
It is not recommended that Gentoo is divided into smaller containers. Gentoo is moisture sensitive and must be repackaged using a carefully controlled process. The mixing process and container choice will also affect the quality of the Gentoo. It is recommended that the appropriately sized set of Gentoo is ordered for the specific application. The use of quart kits is recommended for initial testing.
After learning to apply Gentoo to standard surfaces, we recommend that Gentoo is applied to a small area(s) of the test surface for initial application-specific testing. Depending on the substrate, different surface preparation and curing methods could be tried, to see if they make a difference in the application-specific performance of Gentoo. See application instructions for more information.
Gentoo can be cured in an oven at 194°F (90 °C) for 1 hour. Alternatively, Gentoo can cure in ambient conditions for 24-48 hours. After application, Gentoo is dry to the touch within 10-15 minutes (for Gentoo applied to smooth surfaces). Gentoo coated items should not be oven cured until they have dried to the touch. After 24 hours of curing at ambient conditions, if it is found to meet the needs of the customer, it may be put into service. Performance may improve after multiple days of curing at ambient conditions.
Gentoo hydrophobic coating is very durable, so removing it can be difficult. In some cases, Gentoo can be removed using abrasive materials such as heavy-duty Scotch Brite™ (which contains aluminum oxide) or sandpaper. Pressure washing may also remove Gentoo, under certain circumstances. The only definitive way to remove Gentoo would be the use of a high pH/solvent mixture, as described below.
For small items, including glassware and lab tools, a chemical solution of 100% pure potassium hydroxide with 99% isopropyl alcohol may also be used. A recommended ratio is 1 lb (0.45 kg) of potassium hydroxide to 2-3 gallons (7.5-11 liters) of isopropyl alcohol. Items can be soaked in this highly reactive solution for several days in order to begin to remove the coating. A final wash with soap and water, and then water, is advised.
Note: These removal methods may damage the substrate and/or coating beneath the Gentoo coating. Appropriate safety precautions, including the use of proper personal protective equipment, must be taken when removing Gentoo from a surface.
The VOC content of Gentoo is relatively high, so appropriate engineering controls and PPE are necessary during application.
There is not an easy way or direct indicator to tell if Part A has been rendered unusable. The Part A in question should be mixed with Part B according to the application instructions and applied to a test piece and testing should be performed. Testing procedures can be found at http://tinyurl.com/gentoofaq1. If the test piece fails any of the tests, this may indicate that Part A has been rendered unusable.
This is still being tested. One method that has been found effective for the removal of some spray paints that have been sprayed onto the Gentoo is to use a soft sponge and xylene, followed by a clean rag and more xylene. Other organic solvents may work in place of xylene. Proper safety precautions must be taken when working with any organic solvents. In some cases, the paint has simply been peeled off of smooth surfaces. Pressure washing or physically rougher (or abrasive) cleaning materials may remove the Gentoo.
Gentoo has been tested between -50 °C (-58 °F) and 200 °C (392 °F). Because extensive testing has not been performed at these temperatures, application-specific testing will be needed if Gentoo is exposed to specific high or low-temperature environments within this range.
For the longest lasting outdoor performance, apply Gentoo over surfaces that contain a UV inhibitor.
In the following statements, “Gentoo” alone refers to Gentoo Part A combined with Gentoo Part B (in equal parts by weight, per the instructions and technical data sheet). Gentoo Part A and Gentoo Part B are filled by weight, not by volume.
The following coverage estimates assume no waste: one gallon (3.8 L) of Gentoo covers approximately 665 ft² (61.8 m²). A complete “quart kit” contains 61 fl oz (1.8 L): this covers 316 ft² (29.4 m²). A complete “5-gal set” contains 9.5 gal (36 L): this covers 6,330 ft² (588 m²).
There are different ways to apply Gentoo. Depending on which method is chosen, your coverage and waste may vary. Collecting, re-using (and re-filtering) will help achieve maximum coverage and reduce waste.
Gentoo should be stored between 40°F and 115°F (4°C and 40°C).
The shelf life of Gentoo is two years when stored at 75 °F (24 °C). Storage at higher temperatures will shorten the shelf life.
It is named after an Antarctic species of penguin that repels water and oil off its feathered coat. It is NOT short for “generation two”, as some have guessed.