Crystalline Waterproofing Technology – An economic and effective way of waterproofing
Concrete, most commonly used material in building & constructions, absorbs water and often gets damaged and deteriorate. During concrete formation tiny holes and capillaries have been created that make concrete porous. Porosity in concrete makes it water permeable.
Silicone based crystalline waterproofing chemicals prevents water movements in concrete by creating its own waterproofing barrier. This way chemical reduces the water permeability and porosity in conventional concrete and increases its durability and lifespan and also reduces its maintenance cost.
How silicone based crystalline waterproofing works:
When any liquid contacts a surface, a contact angle is formed between surface and edge of liquid drop. This contact angle should be higher to make any surface hydrophobic or very high to make it super-hydrophobic. A surface that does not have any property of hydrophobic normally has contact angle with water below 80 degrees. On the contrary, a super-hydrophobic surface creates contact angle with water at lease of 150 degree with water.
Any surface has its surface energy while liquid has surface tension. Liquids penetrate in any surface when; surface energy > superficial tension.
Low surface energy and good micro roughness make a surface hydrophobic. Leaf of lotus is considered to be super-hydrophobic surface and repels water very well.
This concept explains why we have rising dampness in building structures specially in bricks and concretes. Why we have dampness rising from ground working against gravity? Capillary rise is consequence of surface tension. Hydrophobic surface reject water and ensure that surface does not get wet from water.
Bricks, concretes and stones have surface energy higher (75-90) than surface tension of water (72) that makes these materials water permeable.
Solution to protect materials is to reduce its’ surface energy. Silicone based chemicals decrease surface energy of these surfaces until 50 mN/m which is lower than surface tension of water. Though, hydrophobic protection decreases if water is stagnant on surface.
Advantages of silicone based crystalline waterproofing chemicals:
- Modify the surface energy to protect surfaces against water
- Can be applied by simple spray
- Good penetration up to several mm
- Non film-forming
- Permeable to air and water vapour
- Can be used in any substrate that absorbs water
Waterproofers.in recommends very effective and economical silicone based waterproofing chemicals; Dampro-390, developed by Roxxell. See Dampro-390 small demo here that shows incredible water repellency in normal plaster block.