Coatings Terminology Glossary
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A
Abrasion
Surface material loss or damage caused by repeated rubbing, scraping, or frictional contact with another surface, particles, or fluids.
Additive
Substances added to a material or formulation to modify its properties or enhance performance.
Adhesion
Adhesion refers to the interaction between two different materials that causes them to stick together, forming a bond. Learn more about adhesion.
Alkaline Wash
A cleaning process that uses a basic (alkaline) solution to remove surface contaminants, such as oils, grease, and residues. Learn more about alkaline wash.
Antifouling Coatings
A special coating that stops the unwanted growth of organisms or attachment of dust (contamination) on surfaces (substrates). Learn more about antifouling coatings.
Alloy
A metallic material composed of two or more elements, designed to enhance mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility for coating and biomedical applications. Learn more about alloys.
Antimicrobial Coating
A surface coating designed to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Learn more about antimicrobial coatings.
Automated High-Throughput Coating System
An advanced automated platform designed to apply and cure coatings on multiple samples simultaneously with high precision, speed, and reproducibility. Learn more about Automated High-Throughput Coating Systems.
B
Ballistic Deposition
A thin-film formation process in which particles are deposited onto a substrate following a straight-line trajectory. Learn more about ballistic deposition.
Balloon Catheter
A flexible catheter with an inflatable balloon at its tip, used to open narrowed passages or deliver therapeutic agents within blood vessels or other body cavities. Learn more about balloon catheters.
Binder
A material or component that holds together other substances, providing cohesion, adhesion, and structural integrity to a formulation or system.
Biocompatibility
Biocompatibility refers to the ability of a material or device to perform its intended function without eliciting a harmful or adverse reaction when introduced into the body. Learn more about biocompatibility.
Biosensor
A device that detects biological or chemical substances and converts the detection into a measurable signal.
C
Catheter
A thin and flexible tube inserted into the body to remove or deliver fluids and access internal pathways. Learn more about catheters.
Ceramic
A hard, inorganic, and heat-resistant material used as a structural or coating substrate for biomedical and industrial applications. Learn more about ceramic.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is a process where gases react on a heated surface to create a thin, solid coating. Learn more about the CVD process.
Coefficient of Friction
The Coefficient of Friction (CoF) is a number that shows how much resistance there is when two surfaces slide against each other. The measurement tells us how “slippery” or “sticky” a surface is. Learn more about coefficient of friction.
Compressive Strength
A material’s resistance to being squashed or compressed.
Contact Angle
The angle formed between a liquid droplet and a solid surface indicates the surface’s wettability.
Copolymer
A copolymer is a macromolecule made from two or more different types of monomers chemically combined in the same chain. Learn more about copolymers.
Corona Discharge Treatment
A technique that uses high-voltage electricity to make a material’s surface better for coatings to stick. Learn more about corona discharge treatment.
Corrosion Resistance
A material’s ability to avoid damage from reactions with its environment, like rusting from water, air, or chemicals. Learn more about corrosion resistance.
Covalent Bonding
A chemical bond where atoms share pairs of electrons. Learn more about covalent bonds.
Crosslinker
A chemical agent that forms bonds between polymer chains, creating a three-dimensional network. Learn more about crosslinkers.
Curing
A process in which a polymer or coating undergoes a chemical or physical transformation to become more stable, hard, or durable. Learn more about curing.
D
Dialysis Membrane
A semi-permeable membrane that separates blood from dialysis fluid, allowing selective removal of waste products and excess water during dialysis. Learn more about dialysis membranes.
Dip Coating
A coating technique in which a substrate is immersed in a coating solution and then withdrawn at a controlled speed to form a uniform film. Learn more about the dip coating method.
Drug-Eluting Coating
A surface coating that releases therapeutic agents in a controlled manner to achieve localized drug delivery. Learn more about drug-eluting coatings.
Durability
A performance feature. It is the ability of a material to maintain its key features over time. Learn more about durability.
E
Endoscope
A tool with a camera and light used to examine inside the body without the need for major surgery. Learn more about endoscope devices.
Endotracheal Tube
A flexible tube inserted through the mouth or nose into the trachea to maintain an open airway and deliver oxygen or anesthesia. Learn more about endotracheal tubes.
Epoxy
A reactive chemical group or resin containing an epoxide ring that readily forms strong crosslinked polymers. Learn more about epoxy.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator
An ECMO machine that adds oxygen to blood and removes carbon dioxide during heart surgery or life support. Learn more about extracorporeal membrane oxygenators.
F
Flexural Strength
A material’s resistance to bending or deformation.
Fluoropolymer
A class of polymers characterized by carbon–fluorine bonds that impart chemical inertness and low surface energy. Learn more about fluoropolymers.
Friction
The resistive force that opposes motion when two surfaces are in contact and move or attempt to move relative to each other.
Friction Reduction
Friction reduction refers to the process or technique of minimizing the resistance to motion between two surfaces in contact. Learn more about friction reduction.
Friction Testing System
A device used to measure the coefficient of friction between two surfaces, typically to evaluate the lubricity and durability of coatings. Learn more about friction testing systems.
Functional Groups
Specific atoms or groups of atoms within molecules that determine chemical reactivity and properties.
G
Glass
A rigid, transparent substrate composed mainly of silica, valued for its chemical stability and optical clarity. Learn more about glass.
Grit Blasting
A surface preparation technique that propels abrasive particles at high speed to clean or roughen a material’s surface. Learn more about grit blasting.
Guidewire
A thin, flexible wire used to guide the placement of catheters or other medical devices within the body’s vessels or pathways. Learn more about guidewires.
H
Hemocompatibility
Hemocompatibility refers to the ability of a material or surface to interact safely with blood without causing adverse effects such as clotting (thrombosis), hemolysis (red blood cell damage), or immune activation. Learn more about hemocompatibility.
Heparin Coating
A biocompatible surface coating that prevents blood clot formation by using the anticoagulant properties of heparin. Learn more about heparin coatings.
Hydrogel
A three-dimensional polymer network that can absorb and retain large amounts of water.
Hydrogel Coating
A soft, water-filled coating made from polymers that are able to absorb large amounts of water (relative to their own mass). These materials are smooth and safe for use on the body. Learn more about hydrogel coatings.
Hydrogen Bonding
A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom like oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine. Learn more about hydrogen bonds.
Hydrophilic Coating
A surface coating that attracts water, creating a smooth and lubricious layer when hydrated. Learn more about hydrophilic coatings.
Hydrophilic Coating Equipment
Specialized machinery designed to apply, cure, and test hydrophilic coatings on medical and industrial devices under controlled environmental conditions. Learn more about hydrophilic coating equipment.
Hydrophilicity
Hydrophilicity is a functional property in coatings. It is the tendency to attract water. Learn more about hydrophilicity.
Hydrophilic Polymer
A polymer that readily absorbs or interacts with water due to polar or charged functional groups. Learn more about hydrophilic polymers.
Hydrophobicity
Hydrophobicity is a functional property in coatings. It is the tendency to repel water. Learn more about hydrophobicity.
Hydrophobic Coating
A surface coating that repels water, preventing it from spreading or sticking. Learn more about hydrophobic coatings.
Hydrophobic Polymer
A polymer that repels water due to a nonpolar chemical structure and low surface energy. Learn more about hydrophobic polymers.
I
Impact Strength
A material’s ability to absorb sudden forces or shocks without breaking.
Implant
Any device or material that is inserted into the body, typically to replace or support a biological structure, provide a therapeutic function, or facilitate a medical procedure. Learn more about implants.
Ionic Bonding
Ionic bonding is a type of chemical bond formed by the attraction between positively and negatively charged ions. Learn more about ionic bonds.
IV Cannula
A small, flexible tube placed into a vein to allow fluids or medicines to be given, or allow blood to be collected. Learn more about intravenous (IV) cannulas.
J
K
L
Latex
A natural or synthetic elastomeric material widely used as a flexible substrate in medical gloves, catheters, and coated medical products.
Layer-by-Layer (LbL) Assembly
A coating application method used to create thin films. It involves alternately applying layers of positively and negatively charged materials. Learn more about LbL Assembly.
Lubricity
Lubricity refers to the ability of a material or surface to reduce friction when it comes into contact with another surface. Learn more about lubricity.
M
Mechanical Strength
The ability of a material or structure to withstand mechanical forces without breaking or deforming. Learn more about mechanical strength.
Metal
A strong, conductive, and durable substrate commonly used in medical and industrial devices. Learn more about metal.
Microcatheter
A very small, flexible catheter used to access tiny or tortuous blood vessels for diagnostic or interventional procedures.
Microfluidic Device
A device that manipulates very small volumes of fluids through extremely tiny channels for analysis, diagnostics, or biomedical applications.
Monomer
A small molecule that can chemically bond with other similar molecules to form a polymer. Learn more about monomers.
N
Nylon
A synthetic polymer substrate made of polyamide, known for its strength and durability. Learn more about Nylon.
O
Optical Clarity
The ability of a material to allow objects viewed through it to be seen clearly. Learn more about optical clarity.
Orthopedic Implant
A medical device placed in the body to support, replace, or stabilize bones, joints, or tissues. Learn more about orthopedic implants.
P
Parylene
A thin, conformal polymer coating applied via vapor deposition to provide a protective, biocompatible barrier. Learn more about parylene.
PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane)
A flexible, safe silicone material used in small fluid devices, medical tools, and coatings. Learn more about PDMS.
PEBAX (PEBA)
A flexible, biocompatible block copolymer substrate used in medical and industrial devices. Learn more about PEBAX (PEBA).
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
A process where a coating material is turned into a vapor in a vacuum and then forms a thin, strong layer on another surface. Learn more about the PVD process.
Plasma Treatment
A surface modification technique that uses ionized gas (plasma) to clean, activate, or functionalize a material surface.
Polycarbonate
A strong, clear plastic used in medical devices and industrial parts. Learn more about Polycarbonate.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
A water-soluble, biocompatible polymer made from ethylene oxide. Learn more about PEG.
Polymer
A large molecule made up of repeating structural units (monomers) bonded together in long chains. Learn more about polymers.
Polystyrene
A lightweight and strong plastic used in lab equipment, medical devices, and diagnostics. Learn more about polystyrene.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
A water-soluble polymer known for its strong binding and film-forming properties. Learn more about PVP.
Polyurethane (PU)
A synthetic polymer produced through the reaction of diisocyanates with polyols. Learn more about polyurethane.
Priming
Priming is a first layer applied to a surface to help the final coating stick better, last longer, and look smoother. Learn more about priming.
Q
R
Refractive Index
The refractive index (RI) of a material influences how clear and transparent it appears by affecting how light passes through, bends, or scatters. Learn more about refractive index.
S
Scratch Resistance
How well a material or coating can resists becoming scratched or getting damaged. Learn more about scratch resistance.
Shear Strength
A material’s resistance to sliding forces acting parallel to a surface.
Sheath
Sheath refers to a protective outer covering or layer that encloses, supports, or separates another structure, material, or component. Learn more about sheaths.
Silica
An inorganic oxide substrate composed of silicon and oxygen, known for its chemical stability and optical transparency. Learn more about silica.
Silicone
A flexible, biocompatible polymer substrate with excellent chemical and thermal stability, widely used in medical devices. Learn more about silicone.
Spray Coating
A coating technique that applies a fine mist of coating material onto a substrate using pressurized air or mechanical force to form a uniform layer. Learn more about spray coating.
Spin Coating
A coating technique in which a small amount of liquid is deposited on a substrate that is then rapidly rotated to spread the coating uniformly by centrifugal force. Learn more about the spin coating method.
Stainless Steel
A corrosion-resistant metallic substrate widely used in medical and industrial devices. Learn more about stainless steel.
Stent
A small, mesh-like tubular device used to keep blood vessels, ducts, or other passages open in the body. Learn more about stents.
Stimuli-Responsive Coating
A smart coating that changes its properties in response to external or internal stimuli. Stimuli can vary, but include temperature, pH, light, and more. Learn more about stimuli-responsive coatings.
Styrenic Block Copolymer (SBC)
A flexible thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) used as a soft, durable substrate in medical devices and coated components.
Surface Preparation
The process of cleaning, treating, or modifying a material’s surface to improve adhesion, coating performance, or functionality. Learn more about surface preparation.
Surface Roughness
Bumps and grooves on a surface, which usually very small, that can change how the surface interacts with its surroundings, like liquids or other materials. Learn more about surface roughness.
Swelling Capacity
The ability of a material, like a polymer or hydrogel, to soak up a liquid (usually water) and expand in size without dissolving. Learn more about swelling capacity.
Syringe
A handheld device used to inject or withdraw fluids from the body using a plunger and barrel mechanism.
T
Teflon (PTFE)
A chemically inert, low-friction fluoropolymer used as both a coating and substrate in medical and industrial devices. Learn more about Teflon (PTFE).
Tensile Strength
A material’s resistance to being pulled apart.
Anti-Thrombogenic Coating
A surface coating that resists blood clot formation and minimizes platelet adhesion on medical devices. Learn more about anti-thrombogenic coatings.
Titanium
A lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal substrate widely used in biomedical implants and coated devices. Learn more about titanium.
U
Urinary Catheter
Type of catheter – a flexible tube that is inserted into the bladder to drain urine.
UV-Cured Coating (UV Coating)
A coating that hardens or crosslinks rapidly when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Learn more about UV-Cure Coating.
V
W
Wear Resistance
The ability of a material to withstand repeated friction or contact without losing its quality or performance over time. Learn more about wear resistance.
Wettability
Wettability is a functional property of a coating. It is the ability of a liquid to maintain a solid surface wet. Learn more about wettability.
