We live in an extreme world. Natural elements, such as sunlight, water, wind, and air, drastically break down coatings over time exposing facades to further damage. Slowing down the rate it takes for a coating start eroding, chalking and fading comes right down to the science and engineering of extreme materials.
The Polymer
The backbone or binder of NeverFade® topcoat formulations is Kynar®-brand polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Kynar® fluoropolymer emulsion technology is comprised of carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds. The C-F bond is one of the strongest bonds known in chemistry providing extreme weatherability, withstanding harsh thermal, chemical, and ultraviolet (UV) environmental conditions for an exceptional length of time. APV is the first licensee to engineer coatings with Kynar Aquatec®, a water-based and fluorosurfactant-free (FSF®) grade of PVDF giving NeverFade® coatings extreme, long-term durability coupled with low VOC and eco-friendly features- all very critical in today’s world.
The Pigments
Along with the PVDF binder system for ultimate weatherability, NeverFade® is engineered with complex inorganic color pigments (CICP). Unlike widely used organic pigments, CICP’s provide enhanced performance in heat and chemical stability, UV opacity, hiding power, and infrared (IR) reflectivity. In NeverFade®, CICP’s are encapsulated by the PVDF polymer providing an even heightened defense against our extreme world, especially UV.
The Additives, Additional High-Performance Co-Resins and Rheology
With its high performance PVDF binder and complex inorganic color pigments at the frontline for protection, NeverFade® products are also fortified with proprietary rheology modifiers, UV inhibiting additives, fungicides, high performance co-resins (depending on substrate), and corrosion inhibitors. This combination gives NeverFade® the ability to guard against algae and fungus growth, abrasions (such as wind, sand, and high traffic), salt spray, dirt pickup and stains.
What do we mean by rheology and why is it important?
Aside from extreme performance, APV’s key objective in the engineering of NeverFade® was to have factory-like aesthetics, even when brushed-on or roll-applied. Our chemists focused on optimizing the rheology, or the “flow of matter”, to have a self-leveling effect as it cures. This self-leveling characteristic minimizes brush lines and roller marks to form a smooth and continuous film on the surface. Our chemists have also optimized viscosity and hiding power for ease of application and aesthetics. Because of this unique rheology technology, all NeverFade® formulations can be applied by spray, brush or roller.