CytoThane MW is super-hydrophobic coating used on marine and ground-based microwave antenna, 5G antenna, radomes, and other telecommunications gear to prevent rain fade. Rain water forms a near perfect bead and rolls off the coated surface. CytoThane provides over 150° contact angle performance in extreme sun and rain for years. Under heavy rain conditions, Ka band ground stations using CytoThane report rain attenuation (rain fade) losses of only 0.2 dB compared to 10 dB losses for uncoated systems (Hughes Network Systems). Side by side tests between coated and uncoated DirecTV antennas demonstrate 15-20% margins in signal strength during heavy rain, i.e., when signal from uncoated dish drops out at 45%, the coated dish maintains operation at 60-65%. CytoThane also reduces snow and ice accumulation under most conditions. CytoThane is available in frosty white and in tints of tan and gray. For custom tints please contact Cytonix. CytoThane is a single-part, air-cured coating formulated for spray, brush or roll application. The coating is rain resistant after 2-6 hours, substantially cured in 24 hours and is fully cured in 5 to 10 days. During application, surface temperatures between 45 and 85°F are recommended. The coating is stable between -40°F and 120°F. One gallon covers 200 to 400 square feet. CytoThane is a potential replacement for DryWired SHC1, NeverWet, and Ultra Ever Dry. Samples are for academic and industrial R&D use only.
Size and packaging options: 100 grams (in 125 ml bottle), 800 grams (in 1000 ml bottle); 2722 grams (in 1 gallon can)
Shipping: Ground shipping only (contact customer service for alternate shipping options)
Application: Spray or roll-on
Drying time: 2 hours
Water contact angle: >140°
Color: Frosty white (tints of frosty-tan and frosty-gray are available)
Price: For high volume and dealer price, please email [email protected]
Testing data: Client reported water contact angle versus exposure time in a rapid aging environmental chamber show the following:
-- 1 year (7 days in chamber): 145°
-- 5 years (25 days in chamber): 144°
-- 10 years (48 days in chamber): 138°
-- 15 years (72 days in chamber): 119°
Description: CytoThane is a super-hydrophobic coating formulated for spray or brush-on application. Coatings have excellent UV, weather and pollution resistance and can be expected to maintain >140° contact angles to heavy rain for many years.
Spray Directions: Surface should be clean, dry and free of oils and detergents. Priming metal or plastic surfaces with UV resistant acrylics or polyurethane-alkyds is recommended. Two-part gel coats should be lightly sanded. Check lid for tightness and then shake product vigorously for 60 seconds just prior to use. Surface and ambient air temperature should be 45-85°F. Spray coating at a gun distance and speed so as to just cover the surface. Do not try to "build" the coating for a wet or visible edge. Use only gravity-feed HVLP (1.0 to 2.0 mm fluid tip) set at full fan and 2 to 2.5 turns feed, with 10-50% overlap at 35 psi (dynamic at pump; 25" hose), a gun distance of 5 to 6 inches and a rate of 5 to 7 inches per second is optimal. Spray pattern for a single pass should coat a 5 to 6-inch-wide strip. Agitate coating in gun reservoir every few minutes. Large external reservoirs should have continuous mixing. The coating should appear immediately after application as a barely visible translucent frost. Coverage is 50 to 100 square feet per pound depending on percent overlap and degree of dispersion. Clean up immediately with acetone or mineral spirits and do not allow cleaning solvent to contaminate remaining product. Shelf life of unopened product is 6 to 12 months. Coating will be light rain resistant in 30 minutes, substantially cured in 24 hours, and full coating properties will be developed in 7 to 10 days. Exposure to UV and heat (120°F) will facilitate cure. If heavy rain is expected within 12 hours, cover loosely with polyethylene film. For best rain performance, avoid touching or abrading active surface. Improperly applied coatings may not be hydrophobic or may not be resistant to rain erosion.
Roll-on application directions: Surface should be clean, dry and free of oils and detergents. Priming metal or plastic surfaces with UV resistant acrylics or polyurethane-alkyds is optional. Two-part gel coats should be lightly sanded. Check lid for tightness and then shake product vigorously for 60 seconds just prior to use. Surface and ambient air temperature should be 45-85°F. Roll-on using regular roller techniques using a 3/8 inch nap smooth finish roller.
Troubleshooting: (1) Coating does not have a high contact angle: This may result from coatings that were applied too thick, wet or incompletely atomized. Reduce feed, and/or recoat at a faster gun speed and greater gun distance, and/or increase pressure. (2) Coating initially has a high contact angle but wets out rapidly: This results from coatings that applied too dry or sparse; recoat at a closer gun distance and/or a slower gun speed and/or higher feed rate. (3) Coating is soft and powdery: The components of the coating have separated or settled; please shake the can for 120 seconds and re-spray as usual. 4) Low contact angle: The components of the coating have separated or settled; please shake the can for 120 seconds and re-spray as usual.
