Silicone-containing polymer matrices as protective coatings: Properties and applications

The paper addresses the technologically important problem of porous building materials protection, e.g. sandstone, limestone, marble against soiling. Protective coatings applied to the surface of porous building material should be characterized by very efficient water vapour permeability and self-cleaning properties.The objective of this work was to examine the properties of silicone-containing polymer matrices as coating materials. Fluoropolymers, polyolefins and acrylic resins were applied as organic components of the polymer matrix. The surface properties of protective coatings obtained from silicone-containing polymer matrices were studied based on wettability (dynamic contact angle and surface free energy), morphology (atomic force microscopy, AFM) and chemical composition of the surface nanolayer (X-ray electron microscopy—ESCA/XPS). Morphology, roughness and structural regularity of protective coatings were discussed to show the effect of organic component on the surface properties. The application properties of such coatings materials were tested based on anti-soiling tests, water vapour permeability, water absorption and weathering resistance (freezing and salt resistance). Very good correlation of application properties of these coating materials and their surface properties such as high dynamic contact angle, low surface free energy, surface morphology was observed.