ECS 2011: WACKER to Present Novel Composite Dispersions and Hybrid Liquid Membranes for Challenging Construction Applications

Munich, March 29, 2011 – Innovative polymer and silicone products and hybrid technologies for the construction sector are among the products WACKER is presenting under the “Our in Expertise” slogan at the European Coatings Show (ECS) in Nuremberg, from March 29 to 31, 2011. The focus will be on applications involving facades, waterproofing and long-term protection: WACKER is debuting its novel composite dispersions, which combine organic and inorganic components to enable long-lasting bright colors on facades. A further premiere is liquid membranes based on special alpha-silane-terminated hybrid polymers for sealing flat surfaces and waterproofing. New dispersible polymer powders with hydrophobic properties for exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) plus versatile silicone additives and polymer dispersions for both indoor and outdoor use round out WACKER’s portfolio for construction applications.

A highlight of this year’s ECS is the presentation of novel composite dispersions from the successful VINNAPAS® product line. What’s special about this new development is its composition: the core of the dispersions is made up of inorganic silica particles (the basis of quartz and glass) only a few nanometers in size that are surrounded by organic polymer particles. If mineral particles are simply mixed into an organic dispersion, the particles can agglomerate during film formation and subsequently develop an uneven, heterogeneous film. The organic shell of the new composite dispersion is chemically bonded to the inorganic core and thus prevents inorganic-particle agglomeration during the film-forming process. As a result, a homogeneous and stable film forms.

The combination of organic and inorganic components imparts special properties to the new VINNAPAS® dispersions. The elastic, organic components have conventional binder properties, ensuring strong adhesion and cohesion, good mechanical properties and improved processability. The organic base can be formed by acrylates or vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) copolymers, as well as by terpolymers with vinyl chloride. In contrast, the solid mineral components have outstanding barrier properties. They reduce dirt pick-up, ensure long-lasting color shades and lower the risk of algae or mold formation, thereby reducing the total number of facade renovation cycles.
Additionally, the composite dispersions feature improved scratch and abrasion resistance, high thermal stability, and optimal thermal conductivity and water-vapor permeability. Of particular interest is their improved flame performance due to the high amount of non-flammable inorganic components. The new VINNAPAS® composite dispersions are therefore ideally suited for challenging exterior applications, expanding WACKER’s comprehensive portfolio for plasters and facade coatings.

Watertight Yet Vapor-Permeable: GENIOSIL® W Sealing Membrane
At ECS 2011, WACKER will also present a new liquid sealant technology for the construction industry. The product, marketed under the GENIOSIL® W trademark, is based on special alpha-silane-terminated hybrid polymers which combine the benefits of polyurethane and silicones in a single product. With the aid of this hybrid technology, WACKER has already successfully developed a new generation of binders for solvent-free parquet adhesives and highly elastic industrial adhesives.

GENIOSIL® W likewise makes use of this alpha-silane technology: The silane-curing product forms a stable, tack-free sealing membrane on surfaces. The membrane is waterproof, yet vapor-permeable. For this reason, moisture can still escape from the substrate after sealing.
GENIOSIL® W is especially suitable for permanent sealing of large surfaces such as flat roofs, balconies, patios and basement walls. GENIOSIL® W 90, for example, was developed for vertical surfaces. For horizontal surfaces, the self-leveling grades GENIOSIL® W 180 and GENIOSIL® W 180 plus are suitable. The ready-to-use products can be applied with either a roller or a brush or by the airless spray method. They adhere to concrete, screed, glass, ceramics and wood, as well as to many types of metal. GENIOSIL® W is UV and chemically resistant, virtually odorless, and – in contrast to many conventional liquid sealing systems – not classified as a dangerous chemical under the German hazardous substances legislation.

Versatile All-Rounder: VINNAPAS® 828 ND
Another debut for the construction sector at the ECS is WACKER’s VINNAPAS® 828 ND. This is a cellulose-ether-stabilized dispersion based on vinyl chloride, ethylene and vinyl acetate. What makes the product special is the fact of its being an “all-rounder”: it can be used for the full spectrum of interior and exterior applications. Furthermore, VINNAPAS® 828 ND is produced without the addition of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO), plasticizers or solvents.

VINNAPAS® 828 ND also exhibits good compatibility with cement and high compatibility with various pigments and fillers. Additionally of interest is the dispersion’s improved flame performance due to the high amount of non-flammable inorganic components, which makes it ideal for use in EIFS and thus has a very broad spectrum of uses for facades.

Hydrophobic Dispersible Polymer Powders for Dry Facades
With its new VINNAPAS® LL 5048 H and VINNAPAS® LL 4042 H grades, WACKER has rounded out its range of hydrophobic, purely VAE-based dispersible copolymer powders for the construction industry. Both powders have a glass transition temperature of about -7°C and are ideal for highly flexible EIFS base coat formulations.

Both new dispersible powders in the established VINNAPAS® product line confer very high impact resistance and low water take-up on mortars, as well as excellent workability. A further feature is the improved adhesion imparted by both grades, especially in the case of difficult surfaces such as polystyrene.

VINNAPAS® LL 4042 H gives a formulation good basic water repellency that is adequate for many applications. VINNAPAS® LL 5048 H, by comparison, exhibits such strongly hydrophobic properties that, in general, no further hydrophobizing agents are necessary. Since both powders enhance the adhesion of mortars to EPS boards and other organic substrates, they are ideal for use in energy-saving EIFS. For instance, they can be used together with a SILRES® silicone resin plaster to produce robust, long-lasting, and highly flexible facade protection.

SILRES® BS 300 – new silicone additives for interior wall paints
Silicones have long proven themselves outdoors – the water-repellent paint additives reliably protect facades against moisture. These special properties can also be beneficial indoors by significantly improving wall paints. WACKER has correspondingly refined its tried-and-tested silicone technology for indoor applications, leading to a new series of silicone additives now being marketed under the name SILRES® BS 300. Interior wall paints modified with these additives are particularly easy to process, appear homogeneous even in unfavorable light conditions and – assuming an optimum paint formulation – can be washed off easily, as watery dirt will not readily penetrate the coating.

Silicone additives can modify the surface energy of a first coat in such a way that the second coat exhibits a far longer open time. Just one to two percent by weight of the additives recently developed by WACKER suffices to attain open times which are up to three times longer – depending on the prevailing ambient conditions. This benefits not only users closer to the equator, where temperatures tend to be higher, but also people in colder regions where interior spaces require more heating.

Additives in the SILRES® BS 300 series can modify other coating properties in addition to open time. A silicone additive makes it easier to apply paints with less exertion, for instance. Silicone additives also facilitate enhanced wetting of substrates with paint – which consequently guarantees uniform drying. The new additives can even help make a coat of paint smoother – a tangible benefit, indeed. Such a coat feels smoother than a standard painted surface and renders a wall practically velvety to the touch.

SILRES® BS 168 Improves the Wet Abrasion Resistance of Interior Paints
The WACKER Group has also developed a new additive for boosting the wet abrasion resistance of interior paints. Thanks to its high alka-linity (pH value: 13) SILRES® BS 168 considerably increases the dis-persion’s binding power and, as a result, the wet abrasion resistance of paint, as well. The alkaline additive also serves to control the pH value and thus facilitates the formulation of paints suitable for stor-age. SILRES® BS 168 itself contains no volatile organic compounds and therefore does not affect the paint’s VOC content.

Further Highlights for the Construction Sector:
VINNAPAS® VAE Copolymer Dispersions for Environmentally-Friendly, Low-Odor Decorative Paints
Innovative VINNAPAS® dispersions based on VAE copolymers are ideal for environmentally-friendly, decorative paints. They allow for the formulation of end products without the use of plasticizers, solvents and APEO, and with a low formaldehyde content. Due to the low content of residual monomers (< 500 ppm) specific VAE-copolymer dispersions are especially suited for the formulation of low-odor indoor paints. By contrast, specialty VINNAPAS® dispersions based on vinyl acetate/ethylene/vinyl chloride terpolymers are excellent binders for decorative outdoor paints.

VINNAPAS® Dispersible Polymer Powders for Modern Construction Applications
With VINNAPAS® polymer powders, end products display enhanced workability, good adhesion to all substrates, greater flexibility and flexural strength, and improved weather resistance. Accordingly, VINNAPAS® is ideally suited for modern construction applications, such as tile adhesives, water-proofing membranes, and as binder for energy-saving exterior insulation and finish systems. VINNAPAS® dispersible polymer powders do not contain plasticizers or film-forming aids, and therefore have low emission levels.
Visit WACKER at the European Coatings Show 2011 in Hall 9, Booth 417.