Water Repellents

Building materials, due to their porous structure, absorb high amounts of moisture when in contact with water. Water and high humidity conditions, together with air fluctuations, are among the primary causes of damage to structures such as peeling of surface coatings, loss of insulation effectiveness, frost damage, dusting problems, or mold and algae formation. Therefore, it is of great importance to treat the wall surface with a coating system that protects the material's porous structure from water while not affecting the breathability of the applied paint, thereby preventing paint swelling and/or cracking and protecting the structure. One of the most effective methods used to protect walls exposed to weather conditions is to treat them with hydrophobic paints, also referred to as siloxane paints. These paints are formulated to achieve excellent water repellency performance without affecting the paint's breathability. To achieve this goal, silicon polymers are commonly used when formulating such paint systems (the name siloxane paint also originates from this). Depending on the molecular weight and structure of the silicon chain, it is possible to obtain silicon resins such as Esasil® 505 (high molecular weight) or siloxane additives such as Esasil® 600, also referred to as pearlescent additives. Esasil® 505 is a silicone resin in emulsion form and is ideal for formulating high-performance siloxane paints that combine excellent water resistance with superior breathability. Always used as a co-binder together with an organic resin, Esasil® 505 provides excellent compatibility with all polymer types such as acrylic or styrene acrylic resins. Esasil® 505 demonstrates its hydrophobic strength immediately upon application, protecting wall structures even from the first rains. Esasil® 600 is a silicone additive in emulsion form and is ideal for use together with Esasil® 505 to provide high hydrophobic performance with excellent beading effect. Esasil® 600 is used at sufficient concentrations as the sole silicone hydrophobic component. Thus it combines hydrophobic properties with a pearlescent effect. Additionally, it provides excellent compatibility with all polymer types such as acrylic or styrene acrylic resins. Esasil® 600 can be diluted in water (1:10 ratio) and applied directly to the surface to be treated for regular treatment of wall structures or protection of stones, ceramics, or stone structures. Thus a topcoat paint with hydrophobic properties is obtained. Due to its chemical structure, it does not cause a wet appearance on the surface. Therefore, it is perfect for use in situations where you want to maintain the visual appearance of the treated surface.  

Orkun Karakaş Product Manager Omya Madencilik