Wear resistant, transparent, flexible thin film, is there any?

[lemd]

Hi everyone,

I need a coating material for an moving object. The coating surface slide over another surface. The coating needs to be transparent to allow optics tracking, and flexible like paper because inner object is flexible, and it needs to be wear resistant to keep the transparent surface working well over time.

Is there any kind of material like that? I think about some kind of thin film or some spray coating.

Any info would be appreciated.

Regard

 

[Dotini]

Hi everyone,

I need a coating material for an moving object. The coating surface slide over another surface. The coating needs to be transparent to allow optics tracking, and flexible like paper because inner object is flexible, and it needs to be wear resistant to keep the transparent surface working well over time.

Is there any kind of material like that? I think about some kind of thin film or some spray coating.

Any info would be appreciated.

Regard

You might try ISC surface guard racer's tape HT2308 (8 mil urethane), also known as helicopter tape. Available at amazon, etc.

 

[berkeman]

Hi everyone,

I need a coating material for an moving object. The coating surface slide over another surface. The coating needs to be transparent to allow optics tracking, and flexible like paper because inner object is flexible, and it needs to be wear resistant to keep the transparent surface working well over time.

Is there any kind of material like that? I think about some kind of thin film or some spray coating.

Any info would be appreciated.

Regard

It seems like it would lose its optical transparency over time due to scratches from the sliding, no? Can you use some forced air to keep the two surfaces from making contact? Can you say more about the application?

 

[Dotini]

It seems like it would lose its optical transparency over time due to scratches from the sliding, no? Can you use some forced air to keep the two surfaces from making contact? Can you say more about the application?

I'm sorry I can't help you much more. From my experience, this strong, durable, clear tape is used primarily over racing car bodywork to prevent scratches from grit, small objects and contact with other cars. It clings ferociously. From the sounds of your situation, you want another object to slide across (the tape) more or less continuously. This helicopter tape might work for a period of time, especially if was in contact with a roller and not a solid object.

 

[tygerdawg]

Unfortunately, I think you are seeking "unobtainium".
The requirements for "sliding surfaces", "flexible", and "transparency" are (in general) mutually exclusive.

I have experience with something called "Exatec E900" coating developed by SABIC Innovative Plastics. It is a glass-like coating applied to plastic substrates with a PECVD process. Typically it is applied to polycarbonate substrates of 4mm to 12mm thickness. I suppose it could be applied to films. It has good abrasion resistance, but still clouds over due to abrasion scratches over time.

It is still in development and being primed for commercial technology release. It ain't cheap, nor can it be purchased at the local hardware store.

It is a problem that many companies are trying to solve for various reasons. No one that I am aware of has developed the perfect solution yet.

 

[dlgoff]

There are different kinds of Mold Release Agents that last fairly long and is really slippery. e.g. https://www.amazon.com/Eurotool-Mold-Release-Spray-CAS-128-00/dp/B0058ED9OC

I've even used Rain-X as a mold release when making carbon composite components.

 

[256bits]

There are a number of oils and lubricants that are flexible, transparant, and wear resistant, and self healing as an added bonus. They surely can be applied as thin film.

 

[meBigGuy]

What about the flrxible screen protectors for ipads.