月: 2023年2月

What Is Glass Paint?

Glass Paint is a coating made of quartz glass dissolved in a solvent.

Since it is liquid at room temperature, it can be painted and cured at room temperature. It can be applied to a wide variety of materials.

Uses of Glass Paint

Glass Paint is often used to paint the exterior walls and roofs of houses because of its durability and weather resistance, as well as its ability to be applied at room temperature. Glass Paint is also used to coat the interior walls and water surfaces of homes because of its ability to coat many materials, including wood, concrete, mortar, and metal.

Principle of Glass Paint

Glass Paint is made by dissolving quartz glass in a solvent. Curing occurs through accelerated hydrolysis and dehydration-condensation of the glass-forming components in this glass paint.

That is, the organopolysiloxane groups bonded to the same main chain as the glass are hydrolyzed and converted to hydroxy groups. The changed hydroxy groups then react with the remaining organopolysiloxane groups to dealcoholize and cure.

Types of Glass Paint

Glass Paint generally refers to completely inorganic glass paint. However, it may also include organic Glass Paint.

1. Fully Inorganic Glass Paint

Fully Inorganic Glass Paint is a type of glass paint with a very high quartz glass content of 99.7%. Fully inorganic glass paint does not contain any organic matter and has properties equivalent to those of glass. It is semi-permanently durable and nonflammable, with no deterioration over time or flammability concerns. It also has excellent water repellency, water permeability, chemical resistance, and antifouling properties due to its glass properties.

If this coating is used for coating exterior walls and roofs of buildings, weather resistance, heat resistance, water permeability, stain resistance, and mildew resistance can be ensured. In addition, it forms a thin film with very high transparency, creating a luxurious appearance.

Furthermore, this paint uses alcohol instead of organic solvents for dilution, which has the advantage of being less harmful to the human body and the environment. However, the disadvantage is that it is more expensive than regular paints and takes longer to install, making the construction cost more expensive.

2. Organic Glass Paint

Organic Glass Paint is made from inorganic materials and petrochemicals. Although it is a glass paint, it is a mixture of organic materials, which oxidize and degrade the coating film.

It does not have the characteristics of all-organic glass paint, and is positioned as a less expensive version of glass paint.

Other Information on Glass Paint

1. Disadvantages of Glass Paint

Glass Paint is suitable for painting exterior walls, but it is not suitable for exterior walls with sealing. The service life of sealing is estimated to be 7 to 10 years. Therefore, maintenance is required for exterior walls with sealing in accordance with the service life of the sealing.

On the other hand, glass paint is said to last approximately 20 years. In other words, if glass paint is applied on top of a sealed exterior wall, maintenance of the sealing is required while the glass paint is still durable. As a result, the disadvantage is that the glass paint, which is expensive in both price and construction, must be repainted before it can be fully utilized.

An additional disadvantage is that glass paint’s characteristics make it difficult to apply multiple coats. Therefore, it is important to use glass paint after considering the number of future repaints.

2. Finish of Glass Paint

Glass Paint can also be used for woodworking. Glass Paint is a liquid form of quartz glass dissolved in a solvent, which penetrates into the wood fibers and hardens. This has the advantage of allowing the paint to retain the taste and texture of the wood surface.

Another advantage is that wood can be painted with the same texture both indoors and outdoors. By allowing it to penetrate, wood can be protected from corrosion and mold arising from the inside. It can also be deposited on the surface to protect it from water, scratches, and mites.

What Is a Geiger Counter?

A Geiger counter is one of the radiation measuring instruments used to determine the amount of radiation present on the surface of a material or in a space.

It is also referred to as a Geiger-Muller counter tube or GM counter tube, named after its creators, Geiger and Muller. A Geiger counter is a type of survey meter that contains a metal, gas-filled cylinder called a GM tube.

Due to its simple structure, it is available at a relatively low price. They are widely used from public facilities such as electronic power generation facilities, police stations, and hospitals to individuals.

Uses of Geiger Counters

Geiger counters are used to measure radiation levels in space and materials. Radiation is used not only in the medical and industrial fields, but also in the agricultural field.

The simple measurement of radiation levels makes it possible to check food surfaces for contamination and to measure a wide variety of samples, including soil, water, and air doses. Although the Geiger counter is a very simple device, it is not a panacea for radiation measurement. Thus, it is necessary to understand the object to be measured and to measure it correctly.

Principle of a Geiger Counter

A Geiger counter is a cylindrical electrode called a GM tube filled with inert gases such as argon and helium. It measures the radiation dose by detecting the discharge (pulse) that occurs when radiation passes through the tube.

The measurement results are displayed in units of microsieverts per hour (μSv/h). A microsievert per hour is the amount of radiation you would receive if you were in a certain location for one hour. Radiation is the electromagnetic waves or particle rays produced when radioactive materials decay. Some radiation can penetrate the human body.

A particularly large number of gamma rays, which have a high penetrating power, affect the human body when their energy is high. The unit for this effect is the sievert (Sv). A sievert is defined as the number of gamma rays absorbed by the human body x energy. A Geiger counter measures the number of radiation rays present inside the device. The measured radiation counts per unit of time (cpm: counts per minute) are multiplied by a constant and converted to microsieverts per hour.

Types of Geiger Counters

There are two main types of Geiger counters:

1. A type in which the Counting Gas is inserted into a Cylindrical Container

This type of Geiger counter is a cylindrical container made of glass or metal with a counting gas sealed inside. This type of Geiger counter is used to measure gamma radiation doses. 

2. Type with a Mica Window

One end of the Geiger-Mueller counter is made of a thin film, and there is a window made of mica, an ore called mica window, through which radiation reaches the boundary surface. It measures the number of beta rays entering through the mica window and is used to investigate contamination by radioactive materials.

A Geiger counter is properly a radiation measuring instrument using a Geiger-Mueller counter. However, radiation measuring instruments with different measuring principles, called scintillation type or semiconductor type, are also sometimes called Geiger counters.

Characteristics of Geiger Counters

Geiger counters are simple in construction and easy to handle, but care must be taken in handling the measurement results. It is important to understand that the measurement results of a Geiger counter are highly variable.

Radiation is randomly emitted from a radioactive material, so the measurement results can vary. Due to the randomness of the radiation emitted, even a change in the direction of the Geiger counter in the same location can change the measurement results. When measuring radiation levels with a Geiger counter, it is important to orient the Geiger counter and repeat the measurement multiple times before taking an average reading.

Also, if the Geiger counter is contaminated with radioactive materials, it will not give correct results. It is important to handle the Geiger counter in such a way that it does not get dirty.

 

What Is a Cover Roof?

A cover roof is a type of roof renovation method.

Roof renovation methods differ greatly depending on the type of roofing material, and can be broadly classified into the renewal method, in which everything related to the old roof is removed and a completely new roof is installed, and the cover roof method, in which the old roof is left in place and a new roof is installed over it.

Unlike the renewal method, the cover roof method does not require the removal and disposal of the original roof, thus reducing renovation costs.

Another major advantage is that there is no need to worry about asbestos.

Uses for Cover Roofs

The cover roof method is used to renovate the roof of a building.

The target buildings are general housing, but they can also be applied to the remodeling of roofs on buildings such as factories and stores.

In both cases, remodeling is performed by covering the existing roof with a new roof.

In the case of residential buildings, the new roofing material can be lined with insulation or soundproofing material, and functional renovations such as adding roof ventilation to prevent moisture are also possible.

Principle of Cover Roofs

One example of a cover roof method is to cover the top of an old slate roof with galvalume steel, a lightweight metal sheet.

Compared to the renewal method, which completely replaces the slate roof, this method does not require dismantling and disposal of the old slate.

Therefore, the cost of construction can be reduced and the construction work is simpler compared to the renewal method, so the renovation can be completed in a short period.

Even in the case of stores and factories, the cover roof construction method can be performed while the facility is still in operation.

The new layer of air between the existing roof and the new roof provides thermal insulation inside the facility, making it possible to lower the temperature inside the facility in the summer and, conversely, raise the temperature in the winter.

Furthermore, some of the latest cover roof construction methods boast high strength and long life.

What Is a Cutting Plotter?

A cutting plotter is a machine that cuts sheet materials.

It uses the line data drawn by draw-type software (drawing-type software) as a cutting path and cuts along the data. It is also used for half-cutting applications.

A sheet of sticker material can be used to create a sticker or sticker of any shape by cutting it in half. Depending on the model, in addition to cutting and half-cutting, it is also possible to crease the paper or perforate the paper.

Some models can read lines or pictures on paper with a scanner and automatically generate cut paths from them for easy editing.

Uses of Cutting Plotters

Cutting plotters are used for signage applications such as billboards and posters, as well as for cutting out pop-ups for in-store use. Sheets for stickers with release paper attached can also be used for semi-extraction to cut out sticker shapes.

While cutting plotters can cut out any shape, their processing speed is not fast, making them unsuitable for mass production. In the apparel industry, during the development stage, each part of a garment is sometimes cut out of paper using cutting plotters, and there is a growing trend of using cutting plotters with special specifications.

Many models combine an inkjet printer with cutting plotters. Rolled media is set, printing is performed, and the cutting process is carried out downstream. This is extremely efficient as it allows both printing and cutting to be done in a single operation.

Since cutting plotters can also cut fabric materials, they are also used for cutting out garments.

Principle of Cutting Plotters

Cutting materials can be cut into the desired shapes by pressing the blade against the material and moving either the blade or the material.

In addition, to cut a material cleanly, the blade material, the strength and speed of the blade press, and the speed of movement must be appropriate for each material. Since blades are used to cut out materials, blades are consumables and need to be replaced periodically. The mat that serves as a support for the blade also wears out at the same time and affects quality, so it needs to be replaced as well.

Types of Cutting Plotters

Cutting plotters can be broadly classified into two types: one type is called the grid rolling type, in which the blade moves only in the X direction and the material to be cut is conveyed in the Y direction.

The other type is a fixed material type, where the cutter moves in both the X and Y directions. This type is called the table type or flatbed type.

1. Grid Rolling Type

In the grid rolling type, the blade moves left and right while the material to be cut moves back and forth during cutting. The feature of this type is that the equipment can be downsized, and there are many small tabletop machines available.

When cutting with this type, the material must be attached to a special adhesive mat. This is because cutting is performed while feeding the material back and forth, and if the material is separated from the mat, it cannot be transported. Materials used for cutting are often set in a rolled state, and despite their small size, they can cut out long materials at a time.

2. Table Type

Table-type cutting plotters have numerous small holes in the table, and a vacuum fan or a similar device is used to adsorb and secure the material. The cutter moves in the X-Y direction to process the desired shape.

There are further types of table-type cutting plotters for commercial and industrial applications. There are many tools, such as stretching tools for creasing paper, tools for laser cutting, and tools for cutting thicker materials by vibrating the blade. Compared to the grid rolling type, they can cut through thicker materials but tend to take longer to work with.

What Is a Cutting Duct?

A cutting duct is a component that allows electric wires to pass through its interior to improve the appearance and prevent electric shock.

A cutting duct is used when installing lighting fixtures and inside control panels. Since the wiring is not exposed, the scenery is improved and electric shock can be prevented.

Raceways are used as power feeders to install lighting fixtures, depending on the width of the installation location. For a width of 2 inches or less, a raceway is recommended, and for a width of 2 inches or more, a cutting duct is recommended.

Uses of Cutting Ducts

Cutting ducts are used inside control panels and to install lighting fixtures. It is used for commercial and industrial applications in addition to general household use. Specific applications are as follows:

• For home lighting
• Lighting for boutiques and exhibitions
• For internal wiring of control panels
• For lighting wiring in commercial facilities
• For wiring alignment in factories

In recent years, products that emphasize design have also been sold, expanding the use of these products as interior decoration. In many cases, they are also used for 2S purposes in factories, as they require fewer man-hours for installation.

Principle of Cutting Ducts

Cutting ducts are mainly made of PVC or other insulating resins. They are sold in lengths of 1 to 3 m and are divided into a cover and a main body.

The sides of the main body have evenly spaced holes for wiring, allowing cables to be inserted and removed. The resin portions between the side holes can be deformed by hand, allowing for easy adjustment according to the wire thickness, application, and position.

To make effective use of limited space, products with DIN rails mounted directly on the duct are also available, reducing the floor space of the distribution panel. This facilitates wiring work and increases flexibility in the design of equipment placement in the switchboard.

The corner type, which utilizes unused vertical corners in the distribution panel, allows the distribution panel itself to be downsized. The flexible shape makes it easier to install in the corners of the switchboard than the standard type.

Types of Cutting Ducts

Cutting ducts must be purchased in selected heights, widths, and lengths. For height, there is a lineup of ready-made products ranging from 30 to 120 mm. The most commonly used range is around 60 to 80 mm. The higher the height, the more wires can be introduced, but more installation space is required.

Widths can be selected from 20mm to 100mm, but 40mm to 60mm widths are most common. If thick wiring is to be introduced inside, 3 to 4 inches in width should be selected. Lengths are available from 3 to 10 ft. It is often purchased in 6 foot lengths.

Other Information on Cutting Ducts

1. Price of Cutting Ducts

Cutting ducts are relatively inexpensive components. Smaller size cutting ducts are less expensive, and larger size cutting ducts are more expensive. The typical price range is 10 to 200 dollars.

Prices also vary depending on the material. Cutting ducts are generally made of polyvinyl chloride resin, but cutting ducts made of special materials, such as polypropylene, are also available. Cutting ducts made of special materials are generally more expensive.

2. Color of Cutting Ducts

Since cutting ducts are generally made of polyvinyl chloride, most of them are gray if they are not painted. However, white, black, and milky white cutting ducts are also available to not disturb the landscape. Cutting ducts in special colors such as red and yellow are not often sold, so if you must have them, you will need to paint them yourself.

What Is an Omni Wheel?

An Omni wheel is a wheel that can move in any direction. It consists of a main rotating part on the body and a passive rotating part of rollers placed on the outer circle of the body.

Usually, a set of three wheels or a set of four wheels is used. Compared to a wheel configuration with tires using a steering wheel, such as in an automobile, the moving mechanism is simpler, making it suitable for smaller sizes and lighter weight.

Uses of Omni Wheels

Omni wheels are mainly used as moving mechanisms for robots and carts. Because they are suitable for moving in confined spaces, they are often used as an unmanned transport robot in factories and warehouses, or as a wheelchair for indoor environments such as hospitals.

Omni wheels as an unmanned transport robot also include a robot with a human tracking function equipped with sensors. Since the Omni wheels can move with work equipment on them, they can be used as both a dolly and a work platform.

Principle of Omni Wheels

The Omni wheel is a wheel that transmits the driving force of a motor in the vertical direction and rotates in the horizontal direction by a free mechanism that has no self-driving force. Turning and parallel movement in all directions is made possible by adjusting the speed control of each motor relative to the omniwheel’s grip on the road surface.

Usually, one set of three wheels or one set of four wheels is used. The characteristics of each are shown below.

1. 3-Wheel Configuration

Compared to a 4-wheel configuration, the 3-wheel configuration has the advantage of being smaller and lighter because it has one less drive system. However, since the amount of movement in any direction is the combined force of vectors, the straightness of the vehicle may deteriorate depending on the road surface.

2. 4-Wheel Configuration

In the case of a 4-wheel configuration, movement in the front-back and left-right directions is the same as that of a normal tire like a car, so high straight-line performance can be expected. On the other hand, it has the disadvantage of being larger and heavier as a whole because it has one more drive system than the 3-wheel configuration.

Features of Omni Wheels

Advantages

• They are capable of turning on the spot and parallel movement in all directions.
• The drive system can be configured with a minimum of three wheels, simplifying the movement mechanism and reducing size and weight compared to a four-wheel-drive system.
• Less vibration during operation

In particular, there is a big difference in mobile robots: a two-wheeled robot “basically moves forward while changing its direction of movement toward the target,” while an omni wheeled robot “moves parallel to the target with its direction of movement fixed at all times.”

This means that the omni wheels eliminate the procedure of “changing direction before moving,” which is a big advantage of “quick movement in the shortest distance.

Because the Omni wheels have such a big advantage in quick movement, many robots for robot contests, in which contestants compete in terms of time to reach the goal, are equipped with a movement mechanism that uses the Omni wheels.

There is no fixed component structure for omni wheels, and there are a variety of materials, angles, and numbers of rollers placed on the passive rotating parts. Since each omni wheel has its own special environment, application, load capacity, etc., it is necessary to select one that best suits the intended use.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of omni wheels include: “weak against bumps” and “weak for outdoor use.” This is due to the operating principle of the omni wheel, and both conditions are caused by the issue of insufficient grip on the ground.

Other Information About the Omni Wheels

1. How to Control an Omni Wheel Robot

In the case of the 4-wheel type, four omni wheels are mounted every 90 degrees to the machine base. A motor is attached to each omniwheel. The speed and direction of the platform are determined by issuing commands to the motors independently.

For example, if the platform is to move straight ahead in the X direction, it must be controlled so that the sum of the velocity vectors of each Omni wheel in the Y direction becomes zero.

2. Points to Note in Control

One point to note in control is that insufficient grip on the ground will cause tire slippage. If even one of the omni wheels idles, the sum of the velocity vectors of the omni wheels will deviate from the expected value. A mechanism is needed to correct the motor commands each time by incorporating feedback control or other means.

Feedback control refers to control in which the output control quantity is fed back to the input value and the input value is corrected so that the difference between the output and input is zero. This control is capable of making corrections even when disturbances such as idling occur.

What Is an Ozone Deodorizer?

An Ozone Deodorizer is a device that uses the deodorizing action of ozone to remove odors from a space.

Ozone has very strong oxidizing power, and when bacteria or odor-causing substances are present nearby, they are immediately oxidized and decomposed. Air purifiers are also available as devices that clean the air, but they differ in their mechanism of action.

Air purifiers use filters and activated carbon to remove particulates and odors from the air, making them only effective against nearby suspended matter. Ozone Deodorizers, on the other hand, not only decompose odors at their source, but are also effective against bacteria and viruses attached to desks, doors, and other surfaces.

Usage of Ozone Deodorizer

Ozone Deodorizers are used in all kinds of places such as hospitals, elderly care facilities, restaurants, and factories. It is characterized by its use not only for deodorization, but also for the removal of bacteria and viruses.

Principle of Ozone Deodorizer

Ozone Deodorizer uses the strong oxidizing power unique to ozone to decompose odors, bacteria, and viruses. Ozone consists of three oxygen atoms and is a substance that maintains a very unstable state.

Since the substance always has the characteristic of trying to move to a stable state, it releases one oxygen atom of ozone and tries to become oxygen. However, without a substance to pass the oxygen atom, the transition to the stable state is not possible. In fact, the substance that passes the oxygen is the source of bacteria and odor.

These substances receive oxygen atoms, and ozone is transformed into oxygen molecules. In this process, the bacteria and odor-causing substances are oxidized and decomposed. Although ozone in high concentrations is harmful to the human body, it can be operated extremely safely if the appropriate concentration is controlled. However, since the most appropriate Ozone Deodorizer depends on the application, the specification information must be confirmed.

The method of generating ozone includes the silent discharge method, electrolysis method, and ultraviolet lamp method. However, the silent discharge method is widely used in industrial applications.

Structure of Ozone Deodorizer

Most Ozone Deodorizers use an ozone generating principle called the silent discharge method, which consists of an electrode to which an AC high voltage is applied and a glass dielectric between the electrode and the dielectric.

Silent discharge is a discharge phenomenon that occurs when a dielectric is placed between parallel electrodes and AC high voltage is applied between the electrodes. When a silent discharge occurs, electrons are released into the gas, and when the released electrons collide with an oxygen molecule (O2), they dissociate into an oxygen atom (2O). When one dissociated oxygen atom (O) combines with one oxygen molecule (O2), ozone (O3) is formed. The chemical formula for this principle is the following two equations:

• O2 + e → 2O + e
• O + O2 + M → O3 + M

Types of Ozone Deodorizers

Ozone Deodorizers are available in small types for deodorizing the inside of cars and private rooms, medium types for deodorizing specific rooms, portable types for use at specific times, and central types for simultaneously deodorizing multiple rooms such as entire buildings.

Other Information on Ozone Deodorizers

Precautions for Use

Since incorrect use can lead to unexpected problems, the following two points must be confirmed:

1. Risk of corrosion due to high ozone concentration
Because ozone has a strong oxidizing capacity, there is a risk of corroding rubber, resins, and other materials in a highly concentrated ozone environment. However, there is no need to be concerned about the risk of corrosion in ozone deodorizers intended for use under manned conditions, because the concentration is not high enough to corrode materials. 

2. Ozone has a peculiar odor
Because ozone itself has a peculiar odor, it is necessary to ventilate the room according to the environment in which it is used. Ozone equipment intended for use under unattended conditions generates highly concentrated ozone, which is harmful to the human body. Therefore, appropriate ozone equipment must be selected according to the intended use.

What Is an Oil Sheet?

An oil sheet is a sheet used to absorb excess oil generated in homes and factories. There are many small gaps in the sheet, and oil can be absorbed by getting into these gaps.

As the name suggests, the main purpose is to absorb oil, but some products can also absorb moisture at the same time.

Some are made of natural fibers, while others are made of chemical fibers.

In addition to the name “oil sheet,” they are also sold under the names “oil absorbent” and “oil catcher.”

Uses of Oil Sheets

Oil sheets are used in industrial and food applications.

• Industry
  The most common use of oil sheets is in the automotive industry. In addition to gasoline, which is used to power the car, oil is stored in the car to lubricate the parts. Engine oil deteriorates and needs to be changed regularly.
  Because of the volume of waste oil, it is difficult to clean up afterward if it leaks onto the floor or other surfaces. Therefore, oil sheets are used to absorb the oil and prevent it from leaking outside.
• Foods
  This is used for prepared foods in supermarkets, especially deep-fried foods. If fried food is left unattended after frying, the oil from the food itself will seep through, weakening the crispiness of the food. Placing a sheet under fried food absorbs the oil and keeps it crispy.

Principle of Oil Sheets

Oil sheets have fine gaps through which oil can penetrate. There are two main types of oil sheet materials: cotton and polypropylene (PP) resin.

• Cotton
  Cotton is a natural fiber and is composed primarily of a substance called cellulose. The cellulose has hydrophilic groups on its surface, making it highly effective in absorbing water. Therefore, it is used for applications that require the absorption of a certain amount of water as well as oil. Since cellulose by itself does not absorb oil well, it is sometimes processed.
• PP Resin
  PP resin is a synthetic fiber that is very compatible with oil. Due to its properties, it is used when oil is the main absorbent. PP resins are hydrocarbons, which are compounds formed from carbon and hydrogen. The higher the number of carbons, the more compatible it is with oil, and PP resins are compatible with oil because they have many carbons. Hydrocarbons are lipophilic, but if they have hydrophilic groups on their surface, their compatibility with oil may be reduced. PP resin has no hydrophilic groups at all, so it is very effective at absorbing oil.

What Is an Elastomer?

An elastomer is a generic term for a polymer compound with elasticity. There are two types of elastomer: thermoplastic elastomer and thermoset elastomer.

Thermoplastic elastomer is fluid when heated and can be easily processed by injection molding machines. They are used in a wide range of fields, including stationery, sanitary products, and automotive parts.

Thermosetting elastomer does not deform significantly when heated, so they are utilized in situations where heat resistance is required. Typical examples are packing and sealing materials.

Uses of Elastomers

Thermoplastic elastomers are fluid when heated and can be easily processed and molded. Injection molding machines for plastics can be used to produce parts in a variety of shapes. Specifically, they are utilized for ducts, hoses, grips, etc.

Thermosetting elastomers do not become plastic when heated, so they can be used where heat resistance is required. Specifically, they are used in packing, gaskets, oil seals, etc.

Principle of Elastomers

Elastomers are a generic term for an elastic polymer, a combination of the words “elastic” and “polymer.” Elastomers are classified into thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), which soften upon heating, and thermosetting elastomers (TSE), which harden upon heating.

TPEs consist of a soft segment and a hard segment. The former plays the role of elasticity, while the latter plays the role of cross-linking. When energy is applied to the molecule by heating, the cross-linked part becomes less active and the entire molecule becomes fluid, etc. Types of TPEs include olefin (alkene), urethane, ester, styrene, and amide. Each has a different molecular structure and synthesis method.

TSEs include silicone rubber, fluoro rubber, and urethane rubber. These are the polymers referred to as rubbers. TSEs have superior properties to TPEs in terms of heat resistance and chemical resistance but are inferior to TPEs in terms of ease of processing.

Other Information on Elastomers

Dielectric Elastomers and Magnetic Elastomers

Dielectric elastomers are one of the elastomers that have been attracting attention recently. Dielectric elastomers are elastomers that produce a large strain of over several hundred percent when an electric field is applied. In other words, this device is expected to be utilized as a function of an actuator that converts electrical energy into kinetic energy according to Maxwell’s Law.

Acrylic or silicone-based materials are used for dielectric elastomers. The reason for this is that the material must have a high dielectric constant and be soft enough not to rupture under strain stress. Dielectric elastomers can be viewed as capacitor devices made of a high dielectric constant polymer material sandwiched between two electrodes. This feature is being considered for applications in the medical field, such as artificial muscles, as well as for use in various robots as highly efficient actuators.

Research and development of magnetic elastomers with viscoelasticity as another new device is also active. The new device, which combines the viscoelasticity of elastomers with the functionality of a magnetic material, can be realized by blending neodymium or iron powder with a polymer material. These devices have excellent vibration resistance and are expected to be used in mechanical actuators and seat-seat sensors for automobiles.

In addition, based on Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, research, and development of devices that convert kinetic energy such as vibration into electrical energy is also underway, including the dielectric elastomers mentioned above. These devices are attracting attention as part of environmental conservation efforts, as exemplified by the SDGs, and are being considered for applications in the near future, such as power generation by attaching elastomers to the soles of athletic shoes and clothing to provide power for sensor communications.

What Is Emulsion Paint?

Emulsion Paint is a paint in which the disadvantages of conventional oil-based and water-based paints are improved by the emulsion technique.

Emulsion paints are non-flammable, and viscosity can be easily adjusted and additives can be easily mixed.

Emulsification is the process of mixing liquids that do not mix with each other, oil-based and water-based components, by dispersing fine particles of one into the other.

Emulsion technology was first used in the U.S. in 1927, when synthetic rubber was successfully produced from butadiene emulsifier dispersion.

Uses of Emulsion Paint

Sixty percent of emulsion paints are used for architectural applications. This is because, compared to oil-based paints, emulsion paints contain less volatile organic compounds and help prevent sick building syndrome. In particular, water-based emulsion paint can be freely diluted with water, and its viscosity can be easily adjusted with a thickening agent, making it suitable for spraying. They are easy to apply even to highly hygroscopic surfaces such as mortar, and pigments and additives can be easily mixed.

Thermosetting acrylic emulsions are used for metal coating. Baking is performed after coating, causing a cross-linking reaction that improves hardness, adhesion, and resistance to water and solvents.

Under harsh conditions, thermosetting acrylic emulsions are sometimes used for metal coating, such as acrylics with excellent weather, water, and alkali resistance. Baking is performed after painting to induce a cross-linking reaction to improve hardness, adhesion, and resistance to water and solvents.

Principle of Emulsion Paint

First, emulsion particles dispersed in water are brought close to each other by the painting process and are packed tightly together. As the water evaporates, the protective layer on the surface of the particles is destroyed, and cross-linking progresses on the exposed polymer surface, gradually resulting in adhesion. The adhered particles form a uniform film, which becomes a pigment-filled coating film.

If the drying temperature is below the minimum film-forming temperature, the particles will not deform and adhere, resulting in a powder that is not strong enough. Therefore, auxiliary agents are added to facilitate the reaction.

Since most emulsions cannot be restored to their original state once frozen, ethylene glycol is added as a freezing stabilizer or copolymerization of hydrophilic monomers is used to stabilize the emulsion. Dispersants, thickeners, stabilizers, and anti-fungal agents are also added as needed to stabilize the quality of the paint during storage.

In addition, the mechanical strength of emulsion paints is often higher after a certain period of time than immediately after the formation of the film, due to the diffusion of the polymer after the film is formed.

Types of Emulsion Paint

Emulsion paints can be broadly classified into oil-based and water-based paints based on their solvents. There are oil-based paints that use organic solvents and water-based paints that use water as the solvent.

Emulsion paint can also be solvent-based or water-based. Paints with water particles floating in an oil-based solvent are called solvent-based paints, while those with oil-based particulate components mixed in a water solution are called water-based paints.

Organic solvents used in oil-based paints can be harmful to the environment and the human body, and manufacturers have focused on improving water-based paints by developing surfactants, substances that stabilize them in an emulsified state. As a result, emulsion paints with oil-based pigments dispersed in them were developed, and water-based emulsion paints are now the mainstream.

How to Select Emulsion Paint

The most important characteristic of emulsion paint is curing. Curing is the process by which the water in the paint evaporates over time to form a hard coating film.

Depending on the method of curing and the strength of the coating film, there are two types of curing: fusion-fusion curing and water-based reaction curing.

Fusion fusion curing is a phenomenon in which dispersed particles come together, fuse, and harden due to evaporation of water or oil. Since the particles themselves are purely fused together, the adhesion of the coating film is relatively weak.

On the other hand, in water-based reaction curing, particles and a reactant mixed with the particles in advance adhere to each other as the water or oil evaporates. This is called a cross-linking reaction. The hardening caused by the cross-linking reaction fuses the three-dimensional structure between the particles, resulting in a stronger paint film.

Water-based reaction-curing emulsion paint containing a reactant is recommended when durability of the paint is required.

Other Information on Emulsion Paint

1. Characteristics of Emulsion Paint

Emulsion Paint is less harmful to the human body. After oil-based paint is applied, the solvent component evaporates and the paint film hardens. If inhaled, the user may feel sick and even lose consciousness. The small amount of solvent residue that remains after drying can cause health problems such as sick building syndrome. Emulsion Paint, on the other hand, does not adversely affect health because of the moisture that evaporates.

However, compared to oil-based paints, the adhesion of the paint film is poor. Since the paint is suspended in water, it is more hydrophilic than oil-based paints, and there is a drawback that the paint tends to peel off in areas exposed to rainwater, such as exterior walls. To compensate for this disadvantage, it is necessary to apply several layers of paint.

2. Paint Grade

Paint grades vary according to durability. Acrylic, urethane, silicone, and fluorine paints are the most durable and expensive, in that order. Of these, silicon paint offers the best balance between durability and price.

Silicon paint is used in many painting projects and is currently the mainstream paint. Acrylic and urethane paints are used when the initial cost is more important than durability.

• • • • Acrylic paint
        The least expensive, extremely low durability, and rarely used for exterior walls.
      • Urethane paint
        Low cost and low durability. Lowest grade of paint used for exterior walls
        • Silicon paint:

        Most cost-effective in terms of price and service life, and currently the mainstream.

      • Flourine Paint
           Longer service life, but more expensive

3. Sick House Syndrome　

Sick house syndrome is a general term for health problems thought to be caused by indoor air pollution from volatile organic compounds contained in building materials and interior materials as houses become more airtight and insulated.