06.12.2023innovation & technology
In China, the evolution of home concepts and consumer demand is driving the market for enhanced performance coil coatings. While standard coatings may provide adequate protection against rust and regular wear and tear, aesthetically they often fall
short in the eyes of customers seeking a more premium finish. With the focus going beyond functionality alone, tactile and aesthetic appeal have become contested space in the realm of home appliances, where consumers are increasingly attentive to texture and visual characteristics.
China’s leading home appliance coil coater approached Beckers in 2021 to address growing consumer demand for coatings with refined texture, including matt finish, but which also deliver exceptional levels of durability over time. A close collaboration ensued, as we developed from concept to pilot production a coating solution that would answer this increasing market need. In August 2024, Beckry®Silk DA DJ-390 was successfully deployed to market by China’s largest home appliance manufacturer.
Project challenges
- Balance of tactility and durability
Soft-touch coatings seek to emulate the delicate and
smooth texture of natural materials such as leather
and silk. Yet the increased tactility often makes the
product more prone to scratches. - Retaining acid & alkali resistance
Standard coil matt coatings typically have a gloss level
no lower than 10GU@60°. But to achieve a delicate
and soft effect, a gloss level below 5GU@60° is
required. The challenge is that conventional methods
that reduce gloss substantially decrease both acid and
alkali resistance. - Achieving formability with stain resistance Enhanced Formability broadens the range of applications. Soft resins and low crosslinking level improve this performance, but the challenge lies in maintaining stain resistance.
Solution offered
Beckry®Silk DA DJ-390 is a polyester crosslinked with amino resin coating designed specifically for the cold segment of the domestic appliance market (refrigerators and freezers). With its soft 'silk' feeling plus exceptional stain resistance, it offers enhanced
practical performance as well as a distinctive aesthetic and tactile experience for consumers.
Product features
Beckry®Silk DA DJ-390 is a holistic and innovative solution that responds to these challenges in a way that is specifically designed for cold segment application.
This includes several technical breakthroughs:
- The ultimate tactile experience was achieved through the coating's excellent micro-deformation recovery performance and low surface friction coefficient. This gives it its delicate, silk-like feel and transforms a 'cold' item such as a refrigerator into something that feels natural and appealing to the human touch.
- A unique aesthetic effect was created by using the matt texture and diffuse reflection of micro suede, with a gloss below 5GU@60°, presenting a soft matt visual effect that adds warmth to the home environment.
- Comprehensive high performance was fully achieved. With superior Formability (T-bend <=1T), the coating provides all-sided protection including Stain Resistance, Acid and Alkali Resistance, and Scratch Resistance.
For the cold segment (refrigerators and freezers), the product surface exhibits a touch-friendly texture and diffuse reflection, enhancing aesthetic appeal and enabling manufacturers to create the products that Mustard test on typical smooth matt product
Mustard test on Beckry®Silk soft touch.
The anti-fingerprint and anti-pollution properties contribute to the coatings' functional sustainability.
Excellent formability, meanwhile, ensures compatibility with a wide range of models, offering more possibility for coil coaters and OEM customers.
Conclusion
The successful launch of Beckry®Silk DA DJ-390 underlines a shift in the market that is driven by consumer demand and the requirements of leading OEM manufacturers. After three years of close collaboration, we have been able to overcome significant technical challenges to move swiftly from laboratory development to production line testing, culminating in regular production. Indeed, Beckry®Silk DA DJ-390 has already become a star feature and point of differentiation for China's largest home appliance OEM manufacturer.
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