Stahl’s high-performing, low-impact speciality coatings are designed to meet the changing needs of today’s market. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the new Stahl Integra® Dry 725 water-repellent solution for technical fabrics, as part of our Integra® toolbox of polymer-based protective coatings.

THREE REASONS TO CHOOSE STAHL INTEGRA® STAYDRY

Stahl Integra® DRY 725 harnesses our expertise in polymer technology to create a solution that’s specially engineered for technical textiles:

• Repellency: Outstanding protection from the elements, excellent spray and non-wicking performance

• Adhesion: Outperforming adhesion to waterborne (back) coatings and boosts the performance of functional (back) coatings

• Sustainability: Low-temperature cure for reduced energy consumption, and fluorine- and co-solvent free for a reduced health impact

Crosslinking is widely practiced in the coating industry as a means to improve coating performance on wear, abrasion, chemical & stain resistance, toughness and blocking properties. As an addition to coating formulations, they provide a wide range of additional possibilities. Our carbodiimide crosslinkers (CDI) provide a sustainable, yet high-performance alternative, looking to reduce their environmental footprint with full performance qualities.

Carbodiimide Crosslinkers environmentally-friendly enhancer for coating qualities

Crosslinking works by connecting the polymers through reactive chemistry, thus strengthening the network of a specific coating. But stabilizing the polymer strains has disadvantages when it comes to flexible substrates, as coating properties then may be reduced in elongation, strength and flexibility. A high level of crosslinking is suitable for rigid substrates, but flexible substrates require a level of malleability suited for waterborne systems to maintain their desired properties. Compared to traditional crosslinkers, such as aziridine, isocyanates, and melamines, polycarbodiimide crosslinkers have a number of advantages. Polycarbodiimides are much less sensitive to the presence of water and able to achieve long pot-life. Due to the high reactivity, curing with CDI type crosslinkers can be done at room temperature and under typical oven conditions used for drying of applied coatings.

Suitable for 2K Coating systems

In addition to standard CDI crosslinker chemistry, we offer a range of crosslinkers with 2-stage reactivity. A second type of reactive group is attached to the polycarbodiimide in this range, so upon curing this crosslinker not only reacts to the -COOH groups in the polymer chains. These reactive groups react to form an even denser network structure. To further build on the success of our polycarbodiimide crosslinkers, we have upgraded our technologies to provided VOC-free new CDI versions with extreme long pot-life.

Key Benefits of Carbodiimide Crosslinkers

Carbodiimide crosslinkers offer various advantages for production of coatings for both flexible and hard substrates.

• Friendly labeled
• Improved pot life
• Not moisture sensitive
• Fast curing speed upon drying
• Improved chemical & stain resistance
• Low viscosity & easy to use
• VOC-free
• Improved adhesion and chemical resistance
• Increased abrasion resistance, strength and hardness

Adjacent to Stahl Stay Clean®, global market leading surface coating to protect coated fabrics and substrates from inground stains for automotive, Stahl extends its substrate and fabric protective portfolio with Stahl Stay Dry, fluorine –free durable water repellent technology.

Building on Stahl Integra® polymer technology, the first generation of fluorine-free water repellent technology is focusing on the technical textile market where balanced performance between water repellency and adhesion is absolutely key. Stahl Integra® DRY 725 will set new boundaries as alternative to fluorine-based fabric treatments in combination with waterborne coatings without compromising mechanical properties and adhesion

STAHL STAY DRY – DURABLE WATER REPELLENT

• Excellent spray and non-wicking performance | built into the core of the fibre

• Outstanding adhesion to waterborne coatings

• Boost the performance of waterborne coatings | primer

• Low temperature cure

• ESG - Fluorine free - Safe chemistry - Less energy