Examine individual changes

'A '''non-stick surface''' is a surface engineered to reduce the ability of other materials to stick to it. A '''non-stick coating''' may be applied to a substrate to produce such a surface. One common application of non-stick coatings is cookware. Until recently PTFE (under the brand name "Teflon") dominated this market; however, due to health concerns regarding both the material (see [[Polymer fume fever]]) and its processing and application (see below regarding PFOA) its use has declined in recent years. Other coatings, including [[Anodizing#Anodized_aluminium|anodized aluminium]] and ceramics, have become popular. ==PTFE and similar compounds== [[Polytetrafluoroethylene]] (PTFE) is a synthetic [[fluoropolymer]] used in various applications including non-stick coatings. Originally developed by a [[DuPont]]-[[General Motors]] joint venture, today it is commonly known by DuPont's brand name [[Teflon]], though other producers exist producing PTFE compounds under various other names. Processing of PTFE in the past used to include [[Perfluorooctanoic acid]] (PFOA) as an emulsifier, however PFOA is a [[persistent organic pollutant]] and poses both environmental and [[PFOA#Health_concerns|health concerns]], and is now being phased out of use in PTFE processing. ===Teflon=== '''Teflon''' is a trademark of DuPont used to refer to their non-stick products. While mainly being used as a trade name for PTFE, it is also used to market [[Perfluoroalkoxy]] (PFA, as "Teflon PFA") and [[Fluorinated ethylene propylene]] (FEP, as "Teflon FEP") compounds. DuPont's current line-up of non-stick coatings for cookware is (arranged in order of decreasing price and durability): DuPont Autograph, DuPont Teflon Platinum Pro, DuPont Teflon Platinum, DuPont Teflon Select, DuPont Teflon Xtra, DuPont Teflon Classic and DuPont Teflon with Radiance Technology.<ref>http://www2.dupont.com/Teflon/en_US/products/cookware_coatings/index.html</ref> ===Scanpan=== '''Scanpan''' markets non-stick cookware made with a patented ceramic-titanium coating. While the non-stick upper coating still uses [[PTFE]], it is applied without using [[PFOA]] as an emulsifier. ==Non-PTFE compounds== Non-PTFE compounds are often based on [[Sol-gel]] technologies and marketed as "ceramic coatings". ===Thermolon=== '''Thermolon''' is a trademark of the Thermolon Corporation. Thermolon is a patented mineral polymer based on silicon oxides. The Thermolon corporation claims that its coating provides environmental benefits related not only to the absence of any toxic chemicals, but also to the lower curing temperature of the coating, which reduces energy use. Thermolon Corporation states that this lowers [[Greenhouse Gas]] emissions vs. Teflon coatings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thermolon Corporation|title=THERMOLON MINERAL COATINGS|url=http://e.thermolon.net/html_e/image/mn01/ComparisonofThermolonvsPTFE_06October2010.pdf|publisher=Thermolon Corporation|accessdate=7 May 2011}}</ref> ===Ecolon=== '''Ecolon''' (Ecologically-friendly Nylon) is a ceramic-glass reinforced [[Nylon 6]] (Perlon) coating, commonly used in cookware.<ref>[http://www.neoflam.com.au/ecolon-non-stick-coating Ecolon safe non-stick cookware coating]</ref> The manufacturers claim that Ecolon coatings are highly resistant to scratches caused by utensils, metallic cleaning pads and abrasives, and withstand high temperatures, leading to greater durability. Ecolon remains stable at up to 450°C. ===Other brands=== Other non-stick ceramic coating brands include Bialetti, Greblon, Ilag (multiple brands including Ilag and Ceralon^R), Excilon and Ceramica_01. ==See also== *[[Tefal]] *[[Teflon tape]] *[[Teflon (nickname)]] *[[Silpat]] *[[Electroless nickel plating]] *[[LiquiGlide]] *[[Lunac (alloy and trans-ceramic coatings)]] *[[Silverstone (plastic)]] *[[Excalibur (coating)]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3178136.stm "Science plans 'non-stick' submarine", ''bbc.co.uk'', 10 October, 2003] *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6993719.stm "'Virtually non-stick' gum created", Rebecca Morelle and Liz Seward, ''BBC News'', 13 September 2007] [[Category:Materials science]] {{material-stub}}'