I was curious about what exactly was the ceramic coat I was spraying on my car was. I have access to a scanning electron microscope (SEM), so here is my lunchtime material characterization summary. Sample was prepared by spraying the liquid on a clean silicon wafer, letting sit for a moment, then wiping it away lightly with a microfiber cloth. Silicon chip wafers are not like auto paint at all, but lets not focus on that right now, I'm interested in the SiO2 (quartz) nano particles. (I am not affiliated with any company or anyone for that mater.)

The first image is at 100x and shows the large scale structure of the liquid as it pooled together and dried. This is not representative of the way it dries on auto paint, but I can see the benefits of putting on a second coat a few days later.

Image 2 is at 650x with a red blood cell up top for scale. The liquid binder (wax most likely) is seen hosting the Si particles and a cubic growth of a salt crystal is visible.

Image 3 is at 2,500x and shows a closer look of the Si particles and rare particles of random salts (bright spots).

Image 4 is the X-ray microanalysis of the non-silicon particles, they were found to contain trace levels of Na, Ca, and S. Most likely various salts and other stuff floating around in the air that has settled into the material somewhere along the line. Harmless at these low levels.

Image 5 is at 10,000x and the smallest SiO2 particles become visible. Anything smaller than 400 nm (nanometers) is smaller than the wavelength of visible light.

Image 6 tops out with this SEM at 50,000x and shows some of the smallest particles I could find in the 65-100 nm range which is on a similar scale to viruses and [bacteriophage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T7_bacteriophage).



Scanning electron imaging and X-ray microanalysis of a ceramic spray coating for science!