Surfaces rendered self-cleaning by hydrophobic structures and a process for their production

US7211313B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Edwin Nun · Billerbeck, DE
• Markus Oles · Hattingen, DE
• Bernhard Schleich · Recklinghausen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 3, 2002
• Grant date: May 1, 2007
• Expiry date: Oct 5, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/25
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A self-regenerating, self-cleaning hydrophobic surface is formed when particles are secured on a carrier that is itself a mixture of particles and binder. When particles on the surface are ablated by erosion, new particles in the carrier are exposed to regenerate the self-cleaning surface, resulting in a long-lasting self-cleaning action. The self-cleaning surface may be used with particular advantage outdoors, e.g. on vehicles, where self-cleaning materials are particularly exposed to the effects of the environment.