Surface Technology, Inc.

Light Emitting Coatings

Illumi-Layer™ is a composite electroless nickel coating containing phosphorescent, light emitting particles. Under normal incandescent or fluorescent light, the coatings appear silvery-gray in color. But when exposed to an ultraviolet light, the coating emits a distinctive colored glow. Various colors are available depending on the particles chosen for incorporation into the coating.

Applications for this unique coating are extensive. Thus far, two specific areas have emerged as the most significant: authentication and wear indication.

Authentication: Important parts or components can be coated to designate their authenticity as O.E.M. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) approved. The aircraft industry is one example where the need exists to prevent the substitution of counterfeit parts. Technicians simply need to shine a hand held, battery operated UV light on parts to display the Illumi-Layer™, thereby confirming the authenticity of the parts prior to use.

Wear Indication: Illumi-Layer™ serves a valuable role on any type of machinery part, mold or other apparatus subject to wear conditions. These parts are commonly coated with a functional coating such as nickel or chrome. Illumi-Layer™ makes it possible to determine when these functional coatings have worn through to avoid wear or damage to the part itself, thereby preventing inferior or out of tolerance products from being produced from a worn part. With a thin layer of Illumi-Layer™ between the substrate and the functional coating an operator may then inspect the part periodically with a portable UV light, often while the part is still in use. Once colored light is observed, it is known that the functional coating has worn away. The part can then be recoated and reused before substrate damage to the part itself occurs and before inferior product is produced.

Illumi-Layer™ is:

Hard
Smooth
Conformal to even the most complex geometries
Applicable to most metals and alloys
Economical to apply
Valuable in the savings it provides
Patented (U.S. Patents 5,514,479 and 5,516,591)

The Illumi-Layer™ technology is available from STI:

As a coating service from STI’s production facility onto your parts, and
In chemical products from STI for customers to use in their own facilities. Click this link for further information on these chemical products – Illumi-Layer™ Chemical Solutions

These chemical components are formulated for maximum reliability, convenience, and economy; and are backed up by STI’s first hand practical knowledge of their operation. Use of this technology includes a limited license under U.S. Patents 4,997,686, 5,145,517, 5,300,330, 5,863,616, and 6,306,466.

Illumi-Layer™ is a trademark of Surface Technology, Inc.




	Light Emitting Coatings Illumi-Layer™ is a composite electroless nickel coating containing phosphorescent, light emitting particles. Under normal incandescent or fluorescent light, the coatings appear silvery-gray in color. But when exposed to an ultraviolet light, the coating emits a distinctive colored glow. Various colors are available depending on the particles chosen for incorporation into the coating. Applications for this unique coating are extensive. Thus far, two specific areas have emerged as the most significant: authentication and wear indication. Authentication: Important parts or components can be coated to designate their authenticity as O.E.M. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) approved. The aircraft industry is one example where the need exists to prevent the substitution of counterfeit parts. Technicians simply need to shine a hand held, battery operated UV light on parts to display the Illumi-Layer™, thereby confirming the authenticity of the parts prior to use. Wear Indication: Illumi-Layer™ serves a valuable role on any type of machinery part, mold or other apparatus subject to wear conditions. These parts are commonly coated with a functional coating such as nickel or chrome. Illumi-Layer™ makes it possible to determine when these functional coatings have worn through to avoid wear or damage to the part itself, thereby preventing inferior or out of tolerance products from being produced from a worn part. With a thin layer of Illumi-Layer™ between the substrate and the functional coating an operator may then inspect the part periodically with a portable UV light, often while the part is still in use. Once colored light is observed, it is known that the functional coating has worn away. The part can then be recoated and reused before substrate damage to the part itself occurs and before inferior product is produced. Illumi-Layer™ is: Hard Smooth Conformal to even the most complex geometries Applicable to most metals and alloys Economical to apply Valuable in the savings it provides Patented (U.S. Patents 5,514,479 and 5,516,591) The Illumi-Layer™ technology is available from STI: As a coating service from STI’s production facility onto your parts, and In chemical products from STI for customers to use in their own facilities. Click this link for further information on these chemical products – Illumi-Layer™ Chemical Solutions These chemical components are formulated for maximum reliability, convenience, and economy; and are backed up by STI’s first hand practical knowledge of their operation. Use of this technology includes a limited license under U.S. Patents 4,997,686, 5,145,517, 5,300,330, 5,863,616, and 6,306,466. Illumi-Layer™ is a trademark of Surface Technology, Inc.