Petrification Process

Permanent bonds, won’t peel

Benefits at a glance...

  • Penetrates masonry and mineral surfaces, does not simply build on surface
  • Chemically bonds with minerals within the surface—can never peel off
  • Bonds are among the strongest found in nature
  • Forms natural appearance, does not create “painted” look
  • Sheeting action diverts water from surface and helps to keep surface cleaner looking
  • Mineral surface dries more quickly after rain

KEIM silicate stains and finishes penetrate and form chemical bonds within masonry and mineral surfaces by the process of petrification or silicification. This results in a solid mineral and insoluble compound of paint and mineral surfaces such as brick, stucco, masonry, concrete, natural stone, CMU block, cement fiber board, lime plaster, gypsum wallboard and more. These finishes literally become part of the masonry surface rather than adhering only to the top surface like acrylic paints.

The cross-section seen at left, demonstrates how KEIM mineral finishes penetrate the masonry surface, coming in contact and reacting with minerals within the surface such as calcium silicate hydrates. The result is a highly durable connection between KEIM and the substrate. And, the potassium silicate binder is naturally resistant to U.V. light, and remains inert and stable over a greatly expanded life cycle.

Organic paints such as latex acrylics or silicones, form a thermoplastic film on the surface and under UV exposure over the years, tend to grow brittle, chalky and develop cracks which can result in damage to paint coat requiring frequent repainting and moisture damage from water intrusion.

This chemical fusion (petrification) with the mineral substrate combined with the UV stability of the potassium silicate are the fundamental reasons for the extraordinarily high lifetime of silicate stains, paints and finishes.

In addition, the silicate coated surface is covered with a mineral matrix of millions of amorphous shaped, shallow pores that when filled with water, limit capillary action, creating a hydrophobic “sheeting” effect. Silicate finishes will naturally darken when wet, like stone or concrete, and lighten as they dry out quickly. Since millions of pores increase the surface area dramatically, what water is held there is spread across a much greater surface and dries very quickly. These finishes are also not prone to surface water condensation, keeping them drier and free of the growth of microorganisms.

 

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