Water Repellent Additive Service For Visually Immersive Surfaces Mangalore

Water repellent additives are substances added to materials—like concrete, textiles, coatings, or wood—to reduce water absorption and improve moisture resistance. These additives work by altering the surface energy or filling pores to prevent water from penetrating. Here’s a detailed overview:

🔹 Types of Water Repellent Additives

1. Silicone-Based Additives

Examples: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Silanes, Siloxanes

Applications: Concrete, masonry, textiles

Mechanism: Form a hydrophobic (water-hating) layer on surfaces

Pros: Long-lasting, UV-stable, breathable

Cons: Higher cost compared to some alternatives

2. Wax-Based Additives

Examples: Paraffin wax, microcrystalline waxes

Applications: Wood, leather, paper

Mechanism: Coats pores to block water

Pros: Low cost, easy to apply

Cons: Can affect breathability; less durable

3. Fluorocarbon-Based Additives (less common today due to environmental concerns)

Examples: Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)

Applications: High-performance textiles, outdoor gear

Mechanism: Repels both water and oil

Pros: Very effective at repelling both water and stains

Cons: Expensive, persistent environmental pollutants

4. Silicate-Based Additives

Examples: Sodium silicate, lithium silicate

Applications: Concrete sealers

Mechanism: React chemically with calcium hydroxide in concrete to block pores

Pros: Durable, penetrative

Cons: Slower action, mainly used for mineral substrates

🔹 Applications

Industry Use Case

Construction Concrete sealers, waterproofing coatings

Textiles Outdoor clothing, tents, upholstery

Wood Decking, furniture, fences

Paints/Coatings Exterior paints, automotive coatings

Paper Food packaging, cardboard

🔹 Mechanism of Action

Most water repellent additives function by:

Reducing Surface Energy: Making the surface less attractive to water molecules.

Pore Blocking: Filling or lining pores to prevent capillary absorption.

Forming Protective Layers: Creating a continuous hydrophobic barrier.

🔹 Performance Considerations

Durability: UV resistance, abrasion resistance, wash-out resistance

Environmental Impact: Biodegradability, toxicity (fluorinated compounds are a concern)

Compatibility: With substrates and other additives

Appearance: Some additives may alter gloss or texture

🔹 Popular Commercial Brands

Sika® (e.g., Sika® WT-200 P for concrete)

BASF MasterProtect®

Scotchgard™ (for textiles)

Rain-X® (for glass)

Thompson’s WaterSeal® (for wood)