Scratches degrade the optical appearance and the protection provided by clear coats, e.g. scratches on cars. The traditional way to enhance surface protection is by increasing hardness, which introduces undesired side effects, according to the company, such as brittleness and lower chemical resistance.

At ACS 2010, BYK has launched several new innovative additives based on nanotechnology that create new opportunities to realize optimum surface protection by providing an immediate reflow effect. New NANOBYK 3650, 3651 and 3652 offer improved scratch resistance immediate reflow properties in solventborne clear coats. This effect ensures that the coating is not damaged and remains nearly unharmed.

According to BYK, the secret behind this phenomenon is the combination of two presumably opposing characteristics—hardness and elasticity. Based on nanotechnology, nano-silica particles of the NANOBYK 3650 family are uniformly distributed within the coating system and work as a shock-absorbing system. Their interaction absorbs the impacting energy and releases it slowly so that the coating damages are prevented. Along with the elasticity comes a consistent hardness of the film, and both give optimal long-term protection. In addition, the new additives are liquid and easy to handle and require only low shear forces for incorporation. The NANOBYK 3650 family is ideal for industrial, wood and automotive coatings applications.