Base technology

What is Symphase®?
Symphase® vacuum coating technology is based on the vapour deposition of melamine, and is globally-patented by DSM. DSM Melamine is the world's largest producer of melamine, widely-used in the manufacture of many wood- and paper-based products such as decorative and floor laminates.

Symphase® uses a combination of nano-technology and supramolecular chemistry to create functional coatings.

How does it work?
Under vacuum conditions and above its sublimation temperature of 200°C, melamine can cover large surface areas in a fraction of a second, creating a nano-layer of transparent crystalline coating with very high gas barrier properties. This can be achieved via a roll-to-roll coating process at speeds higher than 10m/s, on films substrates such as BOPP, PET, and PLA.

Download a scientific paper on the basic principles of melamine deposition. (PDF: 461 Kb)

SEM Top image of a vapour deposited melamine layer on a plastic film

SEM Side image of a vapour deposited layer of melamine on a plastic film ( Layer thickness of Freshure®-Coatings are below 200 nm. Here the layers are grown a little bit thicker to make them easily visible by SEM).