HIREC-A Super Water-Repellent Material
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The super water-repellent material HIREC, developed by NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, is a dramatic new concept in the field of water-repellent materials. Up until now, water-repellent coatings afforded a maximum contact angle between an object and water droplets of approximately 100°. The Super Water-Repellent Material HIREC provides a contact angle of 150° or more, resulting in higher performance and long-term stability. On top of that, this breakthrough coating also demonstrates superior effectiveness in preventing adhesion of snow, ice, and other substances besides water. The Super Water-Repellent Material HIREC is expected to contribute to higher performance and durability, while maintaining the attractiveness of products in a wide range of fields, particularly communications equipment. |
Powerful water-repellent properties that fend off water
The most important feature of the Super Water-Repellent Material HIREC is that it keeps water away. Super water-repellent properties are completely different from the properties of waterproofing that prevent water from permeating. HIREC repels water and shows excellent water-repellent properties with a contact angle of 150° or more between an object and water droplets. When water droplets fall on HIREC-coated surfaces, they instantaneously disperse into smaller droplets, as if they are repelled. The water droplets remaining on the coated surfaces are round and maintain a spherical shape as if they are standing-up. These excellent properties of HIREC are expected to bring a wide range of benefits to various industries and everyday life.
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Watch water being repelled below. [A dancing water droplet (1) A heart shaped stream] [A dancing water droplet (2) Water bouncing on cardboard] |
Windows Media Player software (free) is required to view the video. Click the button image on the right and follow the steps to install this software.
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"Snow and ice adhesion resistant properties" reduce adhesion and prevent the formation of icicles
The Super Water-Repellent Material HIREC is effective in preventing snow and ice from sticking to surfaces and is also effective in preventing the formation of icicles. In snowy regions where snow and ice cause hazardous conditions, the super water-repellent material HIREC can be counted on as a very effective solution.
Examples of Applications
Look at the examples of various applications for the Super Water-Repellent Material HIREC.
Demonstration [1]
When water was poured into a tea strainer coated with this super water-repellent material, it was evident that the water remained in the strainer.
Demonstration [2]
When the solution of oil and water (separated with the oil floating above the water) was poured into a tea strainer coated with the super water-repellent material, the oil went through the tea strainer first. Afterwards, when water was poured into the tea strainer, the water remained in the strainer. This demonstrates that HIREC can easily separate oil and water.
Demonstration [3]
The water level of a river was being observed from a short distance, photographed and monitored with a wooden measuring device. Monitoring is generally carried out using an infrared camera so that it can be done at night.
In clear weather, the surface of the water can be easily identified since the temperature of the water and the temperature of the water level is different.
However, in rainy weather, identifying the water level is difficult. When the measuring device gets wet, its temperature becomes almost the same as the temperature of the water level. This condition is shown in the uncoated plate on the right side of the following thermo image.
The plate on the left side, which was coated with HIREC did not get wet in the rain due to its water-repelling properties. The water temperature and the temperature of the water level measuring device were different, enabling identification of the water level inside the red circle.
Demonstration [4]
When a HIREC-coated copper wire was immersed in water, it was unaffected by the resistance of water.
When two copper wires were affixed to a glass plate coated with HIREC and immersed in water, the space between the copper plates exhibited no change in resistance. The space was tested using a mega-ohm-meter (resistance-measuring device.)
- An application demonstrating HIREC's rain-repellent properties on an antenna
- An application demonstrating HIREC's snow-repellent properties on a bridge
- An example of applying HIREC on communications and broadcasting equipment.
- An example of applying HIREC on power and energy equipment.
- An example of applying HIREC on weather and astronomical equipment.
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Demonstration [1]
Water can be dipped using a tea strainer.
When water was poured into a tea strainer coated with this super water-repellent material, it was evident that the water remained in the strainer.Demonstration [2]
HIREC easily separates oil and water
When the solution of oil and water (separated with the oil floating above the water) was poured into a tea strainer coated with the super water-repellent material, the oil went through the tea strainer first. Afterwards, when water was poured into the tea strainer, the water remained in the strainer. This demonstrates that HIREC can easily separate oil and water.Demonstration [3]
HIREC easily distinguishes the water level of a river
The water level of a river was being observed from a short distance, photographed and monitored with a wooden measuring device. Monitoring is generally carried out using an infrared camera so that it can be done at night.In clear weather, the surface of the water can be easily identified since the temperature of the water and the temperature of the water level is different.
However, in rainy weather, identifying the water level is difficult. When the measuring device gets wet, its temperature becomes almost the same as the temperature of the water level. This condition is shown in the uncoated plate on the right side of the following thermo image.
The plate on the left side, which was coated with HIREC did not get wet in the rain due to its water-repelling properties. The water temperature and the temperature of the water level measuring device were different, enabling identification of the water level inside the red circle.
| Optical image | Thermo image |
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| (Left) a HIREC-coated plate (Right) an un-coated plate |
Demonstration [4]
HIREC's Insulating Properties
When a HIREC-coated copper wire was immersed in water, it was unaffected by the resistance of water.When two copper wires were affixed to a glass plate coated with HIREC and immersed in water, the space between the copper plates exhibited no change in resistance. The space was tested using a mega-ohm-meter (resistance-measuring device.)
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| For example, when HIREC is coated over a printed circuit board, it prevents insulation degradation due to condensation, etc. |
| * HIREC's insulation properties are above 1,000 mega-ohms. |
Selected to match your use, HIREC Series brings a new level of higher performance.
A broad lineup of high repellent HIREC has been developed for a wide range of uses and applications. You can select the product that best meets your needs.
Troubled by water, snow, ice or icicles? We can propose new preventative measures for you.
Troubled by water, snow, ice or icicles? We can propose new preventative measures for you.
| HIREC 100 HIREC functions as an antifouling agent. HIREC's lifespan in the outdoors is about three years. |
This product is newly blended with titanium oxide (TiO2). A surface can always be kept fresh by the photo-catalytic effects of ultraviolet rays. HIREC's antifouling effects drastically reduce deterioration caused by air pollution and with a thin film coating of about 30μm, surfaces can be maintained for about three years. HIREC reduces the amount of labor needed for repairs. The film coating is not transparent and can be colored. |
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Object
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Application | Specifications | |||
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Antennas (parabolas, radomes etc.), steel towers, bridges, radars. | Au undercoating (exclusive primer : 30μm) a 30μm-thick film coating; Requirements : With an airless spray: 3m²/kg With a paintbrush: 5m²/kg |
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| HIREC 1100 Touch-up Spray for HIREC 100 |
HIREC 1100 is an aerosol-type repair material that can be easily used for minor repairs on surfaces coated with HIREC 100. |
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Object
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Application | Specifications | |||
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For simple repairs of HIREC 100 | Volume 220ml | |||
| HIREC 450 Achieve a white semi-transparent finish with one coat! |
HIREC 450 is a super water-repellent material with high-performance anti-ice action. HIREC 450 is a one-coat product that can be easily used without applying an undercoat since it has satisfactory adhesion with a wide range of materials. The cured film is a white semi-transparent color that makes substrate visible through the film.→ A coating example: (it does not have any antifouling properties so its water-repellent properties will decrease with soiling) Unlike HIREC 100, HIREC 450 does not have exfoliation properties. If the air is polluted, the water-repelling property will deteriorate |
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Object
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Application | Specifications | |||
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Antennas (parabolas, radomes etc.), plastics (acrylic, ABS etc.), glasses, metals (except copper) and others | Undercoat not necessary Coating thickness: 15μm Air-less spray: 6m²/kg |
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| HIREC 1450 A touch-up spray for HIREC 450 |
An aerosol-type repair material that can be simply used for minor repairs on surfaces coated with HIREC 450.The properties of HIREC 1450 are the same as HIREC 450. |
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Object
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Application | Specifications | |||
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For simple maintenance of HIREC 450 | Volume 220ml | |||
- Handling of HIREC Spray
- Handling instructions
- Handling points
- Spraying time and coating intervals
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