Among the huge number of paints and varnishes presented on the modern construction market, one of the leading places rightfully belongs to organosilicon paints and varnishes. Unique performance characteristics and a wide choice of color palette provide organosilicon enamels in high demand by consumers.
What is silicone paint
Organosilicon ink is a coloring material based on organopolysiloxane polymers. A multi-component suspension containing various coloring pigments, to which modifying additives, silicone resins and organic solvents can be added, depending on the desired performance characteristics.
There are two types of silicone paint:
With a limited level of heat resistance. For the most part it is used for painting the facades of buildings, it is produced in a wide palette. Limitations are associated with the heat resistance of the pigments that are part of the enamel. At temperatures above +150 ˚C, the pigment structure is destroyed and the coating loses its color. The service life of this category of enamels is 10 - 15 years.
Heat resistant. It is used to prevent corrosion on steel, titanium and aluminum surfaces, to protect against prolonged temperature exposure or damp environments of industrial equipment parts like brush. This category of enamel is often used for painting stoves, chimneys, fireplaces and other heating equipment in order to avoid reducing the strength of materials prone to salt crystallization.
Composition
The main advantage of organosilicon paint - its heat resistance - is achieved due to the higher binding energy of silicon and oxygen atoms in the macromolecule of organosilicon compounds compared to a conventional carbon-containing polymer.
respirator painter
Anti-corrosion agents are added to the composition of silicone paint to improve protection against changing weather conditions, ethyl cellulose and acrylic varnishes to reduce drying time, carbide layers and epoxy resins for better resistance to aggressive mechanical damage.
A variety of color shades is achieved by adding organic and inorganic pigments to the enamel structure, which do not lose color at temperatures up to +150 ˚C.
Main characteristics
Silicon paints are used for exterior decoration. This category of paints and varnishes, respectively, has the characteristics necessary for painting surfaces in the open air:
UV resistant. High resistance to sunlight;
Water permeability (absorption). After complete drying of the paint, no water penetration is observed;
Abrasion resistance: durability reaches more than three and a half thousand cycles;
Drying time. Dries completely within two hours after applying the last layer;
Thermal stability. Heat-resistant enamels can withstand temperatures up to +600 ˚C.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of organosilicon paints and varnishes:
Painting works can be carried out at temperatures from + 40 to -20 ˚C;
The coating can withstand extreme temperature conditions (from -60 to +150, +600 ˚C depending on heat resistance);
Long service life: more than 15 years;
Excellent protection against corrosion and moisture ingress;
Large selection of colors;
Good electrical insulating properties;
Relatively low price;
They do not dissolve in most solvents and are chemically inert with respect to most chemicals.
Disadvantages of organosilicon paints and varnishes:
Strong toxic fumes released by the composition during drying are very harmful to humans;
Direct contact with silicone paint for a long time affects the mucous membranes of a person and is harmful to health;
Organosilicon can only be used for outdoor work;
Do not apply to damp surfaces: after rain, snow or frost.
Where is applied
Silicon facade paint is widely used in construction for decorative weather-resistant painting of the external surfaces of buildings and structures. It is also used for the protective coating of brick, concrete, stone, plastered wood and pre-primed metal elements of buildings.
The hydrophobic properties of the paint are used for protective staining of the foundations of buildings and slate surfaces.
Silicon enamel with high temperature resistance is widely used in industry for painting and protecting various heating devices, parts of electric motors, transformers and internal combustion engines. As protection against water and metal corrosion, it is used in bridge building, shipbuilding, for painting supports and port structures.
It has found wide application in all industrial production and enterprises of the national economy, where the operation of mechanisms, devices, tanks and premises in extreme temperature or atmospheric conditions is required.
Features of work: surface preparation, painting
Organosilicon enamel can be applied to the painted surface in several ways:
Using a paint roller or brush. In this way, it is very difficult to control the thickness of the coating, which affects the adhesion to the painted surface, as well as further operational properties;
Using a pneumatic spray gun. Lack of high consumption of paint and varnish material and a considerable amount of toxic fumes in the air from the solvents included in the paint;
The part to be painted is completely immersed in the coloring matter. Subject to certain dimensions of the part and the availability of a container of a suitable volume.
So that the thickness of the enamel layer during painting does not exceed the recommended 30 - 50 microns, it is most often applied without any primer, but in 2 - 3 layers with a difference of about 15 minutes. In some cases, painting metal surfaces requires preliminary cleaning, degreasing with solvents, and then priming in a couple of coats.
The old cracked coating is removed mechanically or chemically. Before painting, other surfaces are thoroughly cleaned of grease, dust and other contaminants.
Facade organosilicon enamel dries in the open air due to special additives. For heat-resistant enamel, there are industrial dryers that blow the painted surface at a high temperature.
Painting surfaces with organosilicon paints and varnishes must be carried out with the obligatory observance of safety rules. With all the wonderful, useful properties of organosilicon, these enamels remain very toxic, so special protection is required to work with them.
