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Evaluating the effectiveness of self-cleaning products applied on external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS)

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Abstract

External thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) have been extensively applied on building façades with the aim of implementing the thermal and aesthetical properties of the building envelope. However, the formation of stains and deposition of particulate matter is often observed in the surface of these systems. The use of multifunctional products with self-cleaning properties can reduce surface anomalies and thus enhance the durability of ETICS. This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of three protective coatings with self-cleaning additives (i.e., TiO2 nanoparticles), when applied on the surface of ETICS. Three different stains (rhodamine, methylene blue and silver paint aerosol) were applied on the ETICS finishing coat, evaluating the removal of these stains after exposure to natural (solar radiation) light source. The surface properties (compactness, hardness, roughness, gloss, and color) of the ETICS were evaluated prior and after sun exposure. Results showed that the application of the three products lead to a modification of the surface properties (compactness, hardness, gloss, roughness) of the ETICS specimens, and sensibly enhance the self-cleaning, hydrophobic and aesthetical properties of the ETICS.

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Acknowledgments

The authors also acknowledge the company Robbialac for the supply of the products, as well as Pedro Nolasco from NanoMatLab (CQE research unit, IST, Lisbon) for the contact angle measurements.

Funding

The authors acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for funding the research project PTDC/ECI-EGC/30681/2017 (WGB_Shield - Shielding building façades for cities revitalization. Triple resistance to water, graffiti and biocolonization of external thermal insulation systems) and CERIS (UIDB/04625/2020), and the Ph.D. fellowship 2020.05180.BD (J. L. Parracha).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DECivil, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal

    Ana Sofia Silva, Inês Flores-Colen & Amélia Dionísio

  2. CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal

    Giovanni Borsoi, João Luís Parracha, Inês Flores-Colen & Paulina Faria

  3. Buildings Department, LNEC, National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, Av. do Brasil, 101, 1700-066, Lisbon, Portugal

    João Luís Parracha & Rosário Veiga

  4. DEC, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal

    Paulina Faria

  5. CERENA, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal

    Amélia Dionísio

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  1. Ana Sofia Silva
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  2. Giovanni Borsoi
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  3. João Luís Parracha
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  4. Inês Flores-Colen
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  7. Amélia Dionísio
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Correspondence to Giovanni Borsoi.

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Silva, A.S., Borsoi, G., Parracha, J.L. et al. Evaluating the effectiveness of self-cleaning products applied on external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS). J Coat Technol Res 19, 1437–1448 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-022-00617-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-022-00617-x

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