Dry-synthesized pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings via chemical vapor deposition
Soliyarn's CVD-based dry synthesis grows pressure-sensitive adhesive films directly onto substrates, enabling precise thickness control and covalent grafting. This eliminates interfacial delamination—the dominant failure mode at low temperatures—and improves adhesion performance for shingle and textile applications.
Overview
Soliyarn is developing a dry synthesis method for pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) to deposit adhesive films directly onto target substrates such as shingles and textile backings. Conventional PSAs typically fail at low temperatures due to interfacial delamination, where the adhesive separates from the substrate. By growing the PSA film in place and covalently grafting it to the surface, this approach eliminates interfacial defects and provides precise control over film thickness. The result is a more durable, low-temperature-resilient adhesive bond suited for roofing, technical textiles, and other demanding applications.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Dry, solvent-free CVD process that deposits PSA films directly onto substrates without wet chemistry or water usage
- Covalent grafting of the adhesive to the substrate surface, eliminating interfacial defects that drive low-temperature failure
- Precise film thickness control, enabling tuning of adhesive properties and mitigation of internal crack propagation
- Monolithic film growth on textured surfaces, including natural and synthetic textiles and roofing shingles
- Tunable copolymer chemistry using 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) combined with methyl methacrylate and other acrylate monomers to adjust tack force and energy
- Industry-standard characterization using DSC, SAFT, Peel Adhesion, ASTM D6831, and ASTM D3161 test methods to validate glass transition temperature and tack performance
Technology readiness level
The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Covalent grafting of vapor-deposited polymer films on natural and synthetic textile surfaces has been observed by selected research groups and demonstrated in Soliyarn's laboratories. Ongoing and planned work includes demonstrating and optimizing the vapor deposition of EHA on shingles and textile backings, followed by systematic characterization of glass transition temperature and tack properties. Future efforts will focus on copolymerization studies to fine-tune adhesion performance for specific end-use requirements.
About Soliyarn LLC
Soliyarn LLC is a textile technology company that utilizes a proprietary Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process to transform commodity fabrics into high-performance, functional materials. By applying ultrathin polymer coatings in a solvent-free, water-free, and continuous vacuum process, the company imparts specific properties such as electrical conductivity, water repellency, and specialized dyeing without altering the original handfeel, breathability, or comfort of the fabric. This approach replaces resource-intensive, water-heavy traditional textile processing with a more sustainable, scalable, and environmentally friendly manufacturing platform.
The company focuses on creating next-generation smart wearables and functional apparel for diverse sectors, including the defense and textile manufacturing industries. Soliyarn has received multiple SBIR awards to develop technologies such as active-heating gloves for military personnel, which provide efficient thermal regulation using lightweight, sewable Joule heating elements. By eliminating the need for bulky wires or conductive threads, their technology enables the development of washable and durable smart garments. The company’s solutions address critical challenges in sweat management, thermal comfort, and sustainable textile finishing, offering business partners increased throughput and lower costs while significantly reducing environmental impact.
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