Due to increasing the consumption of silica nano particles (nano silicon dioxide) in different industries, the effect and application of silica nano particles in paints and coatings will be discussed, in this article. There are several forms of silica nano particles on the market such as precipitated silica, silica gel, colloidal silica, fumed silica and silica powder. Colloidal silica is usually used in water-based coatings. Colloidal silica is a milky dispersion of discrete SiO2-particles stabilized in the water or ethanol. The using of silica nano particles in paints and coatings can improve the hardness, abrasion resistance, increasing of viscosity, thermal stability and dirt and water repellent. Dirt and water repellency results in self- cleaning behavior in paints and lacquers. Silica nano particles can improve the fire retardancy behavior in fire retardant coatings, as well.
)
