Exelans Turbo Flex C1

Polisan Kansai Boya, a partner of Japanese technology giant Nippon Paint, has introduced Exelans Turbo Flex C1, a groundbreaking exterior facade coating in the architectural coatings category, to the Turkish paint and construction sectors. The product benefits from the scientific expertise of Dow Chemical, a global leader in chemicals and partner of Polisan Kimya. Exelans Turbo Flex C1, designed by Polisan Kansai Boya since it received its R&D Center designation in 2014, will enter the market in 2018 as an innovative product with anti-carbonization properties. Exelans Turbo Flex C1 was formulated with an organic-inorganic hybrid enriched with nano silica, 100% pure acrylic binder, and certified carbon dioxide (CO2) impermeability featuring anti-carbonization properties. The binder used in the formulation of the 100% pure acrylic-based product, which features an organic-inorganic hybrid structure enriched with nano-silica and carbon dioxide (CO2) impermeability with anti-carbonization properties that extend building lifespan, was specially developed by Dow Chemical for Polisan Kansai Boya. It has been registered by the Turkish Standards Institute with Class C1 classification for having no carbon dioxide (CO2) permeability. Exelans Turbo Flex C1, which prevents corrosion through its carbon dioxide (CO2) impermeability structure, prevents structures from deteriorating, aging, or wearing down, and extends building lifespan through its anti-carbonization properties. With its flexible structure, Exelans Turbo Flex C1 moves together with structures in all types of constructions such as bridges, roads, and buildings, thereby preventing surface cracks. Where cracks do not form, carbon dioxide (CO2) permeability does not occur and structures are protected as if new. As building lifespan extends, the destructive impact of earthquakes on structures is minimized.

What is Carbonization?

Carbonization refers to a chain of chemical reactions resulting from carbon dioxide (or other acidic gases such as SOx and NOx) entering concrete from the surrounding atmosphere and reacting with free lime found in concrete pores.   When concrete is first poured, it wraps around the reinforcement and protects it against rusting. The high alkaline environment within concrete adheres tightly to reinforcing steel and forms a film that prevents corrosion. Due to its high alkaline properties, reinforcing steel remains in a passive state within normal concrete. As a result of carbonization, the pH of concrete can drop to 9, and after this process, concrete loses its passivation properties and micro cracks begin to form. Over the years, it is inevitable that CO2 and other acidic gases reach the reinforcement through micro cracks that form in buildings and structures. As the CO2 gas that reaches the reinforcement lowers the pH of the environment, cracks in the concrete increase, and water from the external environment finds a path to reach the iron within the reinforcement, causing the structures to undergo corrosion. The volume of reinforcement that undergoes corrosion and begins to rust increases 4 to 6 times. Volume expansion (rust) is one of the important reasons for cracking and spalling of concrete, which is a material with low tensile strength and brittleness, and leads to larger cracks and shortened structure lifespan. Corrosion is particularly observed on exterior facades where humidity is effective, under roofs, in basements, in water structures such as bridges, viaducts, and dams, in areas near the sea, in places where chimney and exhaust gases are concentrated, in areas experiencing industrial pollution, and in structures using salt sea sand.

Exelans Turbo Flex C1 provides two types of protection in structures

1. Its flexible structure moves together with buildings to prevent crack formation. 2. It creates a barrier with its special formula. Exelans Turbo Flex C1 prevents CO2 and other acidic gases from reaching the reinforcement by preventing crack formation and creating a barrier on the applied surface. In this case, corrosion is also prevented and structures can be protected as if new. For this reason, it is particularly suitable for use in corrosion-prone areas such as bridges, roads, metro systems, and high-rise structures. Exelans Turbo Flex C1 also has high stain resistance and its colors remain bright and vibrant for years. It can be applied in every season. It earned the C1 classification through carbon dioxide permeability tests conducted by IBOS Institute and TSE (Turkish Standards Institute).   Ayşesin Telatar R&D Center Director Polisan Kansai Boya

Source: Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Journal Volume: XXII, Issue: 1, 2009 Prof. Dr. Gülgün YILMAZ (Damage in Structures) Bilecik University