Happy 4th of July from SilcoTek!
After the cookout, many of us will be heading out to enjoy the local fireworks display. As I watch the fireworks, I can’t help but think about SilcoTek's role in keeping us safe from explosives.
Our journey in improving trace explosive detection started with our first coating. In 1987, a client approached us to pacify the metal surfaces of their new explosives detector. At the time, we were a small team within Restek Corporation focused on developing coatings for the analytical industry. We created a technology to coat intricate metal parts with an inert silicon layer, preventing low ppt levels of explosives from adsorbing to stainless steel surfaces. This enabled our customer to develop an innovative explosives detection instrument.
Building on this success, we applied our technology to capillary gas chromatography columns, tubing, fittings, and other sample transfer components. The result was Silcosteel® (now SilcoNert® 1000), our first inert coating.
Why are SilcoTek coatings essential for trace explosive detection?
Explosive molecules are reactive and heat-sensitive, tending to "stick" to stainless steel or glass surfaces. Without our surface technology, nearly all trace explosive material would be lost when interacting with these surfaces in the sample pathway.
SilcoTek surfaces are highly inert, preventing common explosives like nitrates, nitro aromatics, and hydrogen peroxide from reacting with sample pathways. This ensures the entire sample remains intact while flowing through the sample pathway, making explosive testing in airports and other facilities repeatable and accurate. This helps make air travel, ports, and installations safer.
Coat the entire sample pathway
As detection limits fall, the chance that a single small uncoated surface will adsorb the sample increases. To assure accurate low level detection, even at part per million levels, coat the entire sample pathway.
- Tubing
- Fittings/Valves
- Regulators
- Filters
- Probes
- Custom instrumentation
We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!
P.S. If you’re in our neighborhood (Central Pennsylvania) this 4th, don’t miss the Central PA 4thFest fireworks. Join the celebration for the entire day!
