Silco Paint Details
Silicone façade paint with lotus effect
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For dry and attractive facades. Increased protection against Ideal for highly-stressed weather- |
Dirt is repelled with the rain.
The leaves of the lotus flower are water repellent. After a shower of rain they immediately appear dry and clean, as water runs off them like marbles off a glass plate. Putz-technik products ltd has duplicated this lotus effect (discovered by Prof. Wilhelm Barthlott of Bonn University), one of nature’s own inventions which has proved itself over millions of years, in a product – the silicone façade paint Silco.
Silco combines the well know water repellent properties of silicone paints with a surface micro-structure based on the lotus leaf. This considerably reduces the contact area for water and dirt and consequently their adhesion to the painted surface.
The result: dirt is repelled by water droplets and facades (including highly stressed weather-exposed facades) stay dry and attractive.
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How the lotus effect works: Silco has a microstructural Surface which considerably Reduces the contact area for dirt particles and water. This results in a super-hydrophobic, water- repellent surface. Dirt particles which adhere only loosely, are easily carried away by raindrops.
Comparison with conventional façade paints: the surfaces of conventional façade paints are less hydrophobic and do not have the special microstructure as the lotus leaf. Water permeates them more easily, dirt particles can adhere. |
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Lotus effect on the façade: Dirt and water cannot adhere. The façade remains dry and attractive. |
The problem with conventional façade paints: Over time, the contamination of the façade becomes clearly visible. In particular, the sides exposed to the weather form an ideal breeding ground for micro-organisms, supplying sufficient moisture and nutrients from dirt deposits. |
Dirty facades are not inevitable: Silco with lotus effect keeps facades dry and attractive.
- Very high water and dirt-repellent properties as soon as coating has dried.
- Ideal protection, particularly for highly-stressed weather-exposed facades.
- Good permeability for water vapour and CO2.
- Excellent weather and chalking resistance. UV-resistant.
- Easy to apply without accretion.
- Mineral, extremely matt surface.
- Can be tinted with universal tinters.
Silco, Learning from nature.
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Magnification x 7,000 of the microstructure of a lotus leaf. Using a nonoscope, this picture clearly shows the microstructure which considerably reduces the contact area for water and dirt. Water is repelled without leaving a residue, taking any dirt particles it contains with it. |
The successful duplication of the lotus effect in Silco. Using the same magnification, the similar microstructures can be seen in Silco. This explains why Silco repels dirt and water. Exactly like the lotus plant, which in Asia has always been regarded as a symbol of purity. |
Advantages of Silco paint compared to standard acrylic emulsion paint
| humidity |
silicone resin as binder |
best water repellent effect best protection against rain no water absorption by substrate (cold wall/high air humidity) |
| heat |
binder type insensitive to temperature |
no thermoplasticity dirt will not stick on surface no blistering due to vapour pressure build-up behind coating because of excellent water vapour permeability |
| aesthetic value |
binder type and choice of pigment shades |
best dirt resistance less fading due to colour fastness of pigment grades re-ordering without colour difference |
| security |
function of Silco (SEP) technology |
risk of blistering ten times less than with acrylic latex emulsions best way to avoid algae or mildew growth because of protection against humidity and dirt best adhesion to old substrates because of binder strength and lack of drying tensions best option on new substrates because of recoatability minimizes problems caused by cracks because of system primer/finish highest application security no health risk for applicator or user, environmentally friendly and inoffensive product ready to apply |
| cost |
Silco advantages |
faster substrate preparation quicker application modest consumption longer refurbishment intervals |
Silco silicone enhanced paint sets new standards for long-term protection, durability and visual enhancement and provides a balance between water repellency and vapour permeability.
Silco can be used as a protective and decorative paint on all internal and external masonry surfaces. It is suited as a coating for mineral plasters e.g. PT 100, PT 101, PT 102, PT 103, PT 104, PT 400, PT 402 but can also be used directly onto other masonry substrates e.g. tilt-slab concrete and fibre-cement sheeting.
Silco application and clean-up with water is simple and the coatings are safe to the applicator and to the environment.