Algae growth should be physically prevented by eliminating the cause of algae growth, i.e. the formation of moisture resulting from the surface temperature of the façade falling below the dew point. In order to reduce or even prevent the cooling of the surface coating and therefore avoid condensation formation, the spectral emissivity of the surface coating must be reduced. This can be achieved through, for example, coatings with reduced long-wave emissivity: the so-called “low-e coatings”.
Low-e surfaces have already become established in the field of transparent conductive coatings in the glazing industry. They are used extensively in thermal-insulation glazing in order to reduce heat input from the outside via solar radiation (summer) and heat loss towards the outside (winter). In the field of architectural coatings, low-e surfaces have been scarcely explored to date.
The project team is investigating whether a low-e façade paint can be realized through the combined incorporation of two additives:
- Infrared-active (IR-active) pigments
- Bio-based latent-heat storage materials, known as phase-change materials (PCM)
The starting point for the development of the new façade paint is bio-based coatings on the basis of acrylates, developed by AURO Pflanzenchemie AG (overall coordinator of the project).
The primary task of the Fraunhofer WKI within the project is the further development of the binder, with emphasis on the following points:
- Selection of suitable acrylate monomers, focusing on elasticity, UV stability, pigment volume concentration, and the increase of the organic content in the binder to at least 50 percent
- Selection of suitable emulsifier systems
- Adaptation of the binder for good compatibility with IR-active pigments (polarity, molar mass)
- Characterization of the binder (dispersion) and the paint film
- Construction of a demonstrator
- Testing of the coating, evaluation of the effectiveness and duration of effect of IR pigments and PCM materials, and evaluation of weathering stability:
- Production of ETICS samples with natural-fiber insulation materials and coating
- Optical tests
- Mechanical tests
- Natural and artificial weathering
- Temperature measurements on the surface
- Thermal analysis before and after weathering by means of DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and TGA (thermogravimetric analysis)