Silicate-Silane Stone Preservative for Efflorescence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective agents for natural and artificial stones fail to effectively prevent moisture-related issues, such as efflorescence, and do not form a solid bond with the stone, leading to limited protection against acid or alkali attacks and environmental contamination.
Innovation Solution
A basic protective agent comprising a mixture of silicates, alkylalkoxysilanes with varying numbers of OH bonds, ethanol, and/or butan-2-ol, which forms a strong bond with the stone, allowing residual moisture to escape without reaching the surface and providing long-lasting protection against chemical and mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alcohol-based protective agents are applied to concrete blocks, then protective effect is improved, but residual moisture causes efflorescence and rendering defects
Solution Approach 1:
The protective agent is applied preliminarily during the manufacturing process (2-5 minutes after mixing), allowing the concrete blocks to be stacked and packaged immediately. This preliminary application prevents efflorescence by blocking moisture escape paths before the blocks are stored or transported, solving the problem of residual moisture causing surface defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective agent acts as an intermediary substance between the concrete block interior and exterior environment. It allows capillary moisture to escape while blocking larger water droplets and preventing efflorescence formation on the surface, mediating the moisture transport process to achieve both protection and visual quality.
2Productivity
If protective agents are applied immediately after mixing, then productivity is improved, but incomplete reaction causes efflorescence
Solution Approach 1:
The protective agent is applied as a preliminary treatment during the manufacturing process rather than waiting for complete concrete reaction. This allows immediate stacking and packaging (2-5 minutes after mixing), dramatically improving productivity while the agent continues to provide reliable protection against efflorescence and surface defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the application timing parameter from post-manufacturing (after 28 days reaction) to during-manufacturing (2-5 minutes after mixing). This parameter change enables continuous production flow and immediate stacking while the protective agent ensures quality by preventing efflorescence during the ongoing reaction process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If oils, waxes and polymers are used as protective agents, then surface protection is provided, but they create an extra layer that disrupts natural appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The protective agent has a chemical composition similar to the filler material itself, allowing it to integrate homogeneously with the concrete surface. This eliminates the need for separate protective layers that would disrupt the natural appearance, achieving both protection and aesthetic quality through compositional homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective agent functions as a composite material that combines protective functionality with visual compatibility. By having a chemical composition similar to the filler, it creates a unified surface structure rather than a separate coating layer, maintaining the natural appearance while providing acid and alkali resistance.
4Ease of operation
If conventional protective agents are used, then application is simple, but they do not form a solid bond with the stone
Solution Approach 1:
The protective agent forms a solid bond with the stone surface because its chemical composition is similar to the filler material. This compositional homogeneity enables chemical bonding at the molecular level rather than just surface adhesion, creating a strong, durable attachment while maintaining application simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical adhesion (surface layering) with chemical bonding (molecular-level attachment). The protective agent chemically bonds with the filler material through similar chemical composition, creating a stronger and more durable bond than conventional mechanical adhesion methods while keeping the application process simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The protective agent effectively prevents moisture-related issues, such as efflorescence, and provides high abrasion resistance and chemical resistance, making it suitable for immediate stacking and packaging of concrete blocks without visual damage, and extending the lifespan of treated surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
During the hydrolysis, the alkylalkoxysilanes are converted into at least one silanol with the addition of water.
Implementation Method 2
In the resulting silanols, the organic R groups (residues) are also present as short or long chains.
Implementation Method 3
allows, for example, the residual moisture of palletized concrete blocks to escape from the concrete block in gaseous form
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a basic preservative comprising a mixture of the following components: - at least one silicate, - at least one short-chain silane, - at least one long-chain silane, - ethanol and/or isobutanol as a preservative. The invention further relates to a production process and the use of the basic preservative.