Compositions and methods for sealing natural stone tiles and natural stone articles
a technology of natural stone tiles and compositions, applied in the direction of building components, building repairs, building insulations, etc., can solve the problem of not being able to achieve more natural appearance, achieve excellent adhesion to the stone surface, minimize application equipment design features, and fast conversion time and brevity of the entire process
Inactive Publication Date: 2009-12-10
QUESTECH CORP
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Benefits of technology
[0006]The detailed description of the methods for applying a permanent protective sealant to natural stone surfaces is disclosed below. In addition to the methods, the invention relates to liquid UV-curable solventless sealant compositions and, where required or desired, aqueous UV-curable primer sealant compositions. Additionally, the invention relates to equipment suitable for applying a liquid UV-curable solventless sealant to natural stone and also to the equipment suitable for applying, where required, an aqueous primer sealant just prior to the aforementioned liquid UV-curable solventless sealant, as well as to methods of use of said suitable equipment. In this regard, the invention relates to an economical process for applying a permanent sealer to natural stone tiles and related articles such as natural stone borders, trims, medallions, etc intended for installation as wall coverings, floorings, countertops and the like. Further, the invention relates in part to the use of a single liquid sealant system that self-primes the stone tile surface thereby sealing in one step. The sealing system contains one or more additives that enable the achievement of excellent adhesion to the stone surface. Further, the invention relates to the treatment of the unsealed stone tile surface by the use of radiant energy to dry the surface as well as to allow for improved wetting once the sealant is applied. The sealant is radiation curable immediately after application to the stone surface thereby enabling fast conversion times and brevity of the entire process.
[0009]The UV-curable primer sealant (used where required or beneficial to tile appearance) is formulated from suitable water-based acrylate-functional dispersions in water wherein the glass transition of the disperse phase is low enough to allow for proper filming once applied to a tile surface conditioned at about 35 to 45° C. Further, the UV-curable primer sealant is formulated with a requisite amount of photoinitiator to allow for complete through-cure once exposed to UV irradiation. Even further, the UV-curable primer sealant can be formulated with additional components such as water miscible UV-curable agents or monomers. These monomeric materials are generally non-volatile and their levels of incorporation into the water-based primer sealant are chosen to provide intermediate effects on the level of darkening or enhancement or enrichment of the tile color, grain and / or marbling of the subject stone. Using a water-based UV-curable primer sealant in the absence of these agents will generally provide the least effect in tile color, grain and / or marbling enhancement or enrichment.
Problems solved by technology
The presence of the water-based UV-curable primer sealant affects the ultimate appearance of the underlying stone substrate causing a more natural appearance not possible with the single sealant method described above.
Method used
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[0013]The detailed description of the methods for applying a permanent protective sealant to natural stone surfaces is disclosed below. In addition to the methods, the invention relates to liquid UV-curable solventless sealant compositions and, where required or desired, aqueous UV-curable primer sealant compositions. Additionally, the invention relates to equipment suitable for applying a liquid UV-curable solventless sealant to natural stone and also to the equipment suitable for applying, where required, an aqueous primer sealant just prior to the aforementioned liquid UV-curable solventless sealant, as well as to methods of use of said suitable equipment.
[0014]The method described below may have many embodiments as envisioned depending in part on the sealant application technique whether by spray, roller, curtain (i.e., a liquid spray curtain), mist, etc. Therefore the method should not be considered as limited based on the brief description given below. Further, the details of ...
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of sealing natural stone tiles and stone articles by applying and curing by UV radiation a liquid, solventless sealant onto natural stone tiles and articles to provide permanent protection, abrasion resistance, chemical and stain resistance and resistance to mold and other biological growth stains. The UV-curable solventless sealing composition comprises an effective amount of carboxyl functional, UV-curable reagent to provide for adhesion of the cured coating to the stone article. Additionally, the method describes the application of an optional liquid primer sealant comprising a UV-curable aqueous dispersion of an acrylate-functional resin.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The appearance and integrity of natural stone tiles and articles may become easily deteriorated by contact with water, dirt and grit as well as chemicals and cleaning substances. Natural stone is often quite porous and should be sealed to prohibit the penetration of water, dirt and chemical substances. Additionally, natural stone may be subject to efflorescence wherein water soluble salts may form exudates on the surface over time.[0002]Currently available commercial sealers exist for the purpose of controlling the appearance and integrity of natural stone surfaces however these products are often only effective over a short term and must be re-applied periodically. These products may not fully protect the natural stone surface for even relatively short exposures to water, household cleaners and other reagents thereby allowing permanent dulling or deterioration of the natural stone surface. Further, commercial sealers may not offer abrasion or scratc...
Claims
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Login to View More IPC IPC(8): E04B1/66
CPCC04B41/009C04B41/483C04B41/52C04B14/00C04B14/28C04B41/4884C04B41/502C04B41/0045C04B41/5031C04B41/5035C04B2103/34C04B2103/67
InventorPELLETIER, DAVIDQUESTEL, ROGERWASOWSKI, LARRYGUPTILL, DORIAN C.
OwnerQUESTECH CORP