• BASF India Limited

Steron^®, a Versatile Coating System

A few years ago, BASF created completely new ways to give surfaces an extremely unusual look and feel through use of a polyurethane dispersion with the brand name Steron®. The coating system combines the different characteristics of leather, artificial leather, fabric and soft-touch materials. It permits creation of surfaces with a structure and design that at present cannot be achieved in any other way. Now, BASF has automated the technology, joined with partners and is launching the first production applications in the automotive and furniture industries.

Versatile coating material: Steron can be used on a wide variety of substrates. For instance, leather and fabric as well as cardboard, paper and plastics such as PVC and polyurethane can serve as the substrate material. Moreover, the design freedom is almost limitless - regardless of whether technical, natural or soft-touch structures are involved. Quick design changes present no difficulties. Textures from leather graining to the appearance of velvet and even geometric patterns and impressions can be achieved with minimum effort. Finally, coating in any colour is possible.

New production technology: Production of Steron is based on the transfer process. The process was refined over the past two years and has now been automated. The starting point for production is a silicone mould half into which the desired surface structure is engraved by a laser. A thin layer of the polyurethane dispersion is sprayed onto this surface in a manner similar to the technique used when working with a casting mould and assumes the desired shape. This top coat is followed by a base coat and then the adhesive.

Finally, the substrate is laminated to the adhesive layer and the two are pressed together. Following this, the finished product can be removed from the mould. Modern laser technology permits fast and economical production of moulds with any custom design. The benefit of silicone as the mould material is that it can be engraved readily by means of a laser, while the substrate with the Steron coating releases easily. The polyurethane dispersion is microporous and, in contrast to conventional leather finishes, can breathe, improving the comfort of the coated materials.