MAXCLEAR® CONSOLIDATED
A READY-TO-USE PRODUCT FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF BUILDING MATERIALS

Description

MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED is built up on tho basis of silicic acid ethyl ester. During the application, the building material's capillary system absorbs the product, and will transport it to the deeper zones. By the aid of a neutral catalyst, the silic acid ethyl ester reacts with atmospher humidity resp. with the water absorbed at the capillary walls, By this, silicic acid gel (SiO2aq) is formed, a glass-like substance, and, as by-product ethanol, which will, however, volatilize. The major part of the silicic acid ethyl ester will transform into silicic acid gel after 2 weeks under standard climate conditions (20°C/500% rel. atmospheric humidity) which means that final hardness is reached.
The product does not contain any hydrophobic additives such as silanes or silicone resins. During the reaction, the treated surfaces show a slight droplet effect, which should not be confused with the hydrophobic effect itself.

Uses

It is mainly used in the restoration of natural stone, stucco and frescos which are damaged by weathering influences, Besides, also other building materials such as brick or terra-cotta can be consolidated.
MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED is suitable tor all mineral and absorbent building materials which, when saturated with it, will regain its original porosity ancl hardness.

Advantages

- One-component system - therefore easy to process
- Low-molecular - therefore optimum penetration
- Tack-free drying- therefore no dirt attraction
- No by-products which badly affect the building material
- The new-formed binder is mineral- therefore it has an affinity with the building material
- The new-formed binder is acid resistant- therefore resistant to rainwater
- Pores are not sealed- the treated building material maintains its water vapour permeability

Application Instructions

Pre-examination, test area
Due to the fact that the building materials differ in their degree of deterioration, the instructions given in the following can only serve as general guidelines for a successful restoration:

1. Determine exactly the state of the substrate which is to be consolidated (binder, salt contents, porosity, etc.);
2. Fix the necessary steps of processing and the material consumption;
3. Take care of a sufficiently large test area (it will also help to determine the material consumption) and control the success by and optical assessment (colour change) and relevant physical measurements;
4. Stick to the single steps of processing and ensure an adequate material consumption;
5. Carry out thorough final tests.

Kind of substrate
Buildings which are to be restored often have a thick, dirty surface (crust). The areas must be cleaned thoroughly and mildly, e.g. by spraying with cold or hot water, or damp-cleaning. In many cases, the stone is already friable so that cleaning without a further loss of substance is unavoidable. It is, however, possible to primarily consolidate the material with MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED to prevent such a big loss. Then the material should be cleaned and the main consolidation can take place.
In order to enable the MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED to penetrate the whole friable building material, it is necessary for every single area to be airdry and absorbent. Already treated areas should be protected against rain and direct sunlight during the following 2-3 days. The product will evaporate with too much warm and therefore cannot penetrate sufficiently. The optimum processing temperatures are those between 10 and 20°C. The relative humidity of the air should be >40°C. In order to prevent the influence of too warm temperatures, it is for example possible to set awnings against direct sunlight.
Mode of application
MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED may be applied by spraying, brushing or dipping, the appropriate kind being dependent on the object which is to be consolidated. Larger areas should be treated with spraying-devices, smaller ones with a spray-bottle. Mobile objects, e.g. sculptures, are best treated by dipping or with the use of compresses.
Amount to be applied
An indispensable prerequisite for a successful restoration is that the product penetrates to the sain core of the stone as, otherwise, flaking due to crust formation cannot be excluded.
In order to reach the desired penetration depth, smaller areas of the building material (perhaps stone after stone) have to be treated wet-in-wet with MARCLEAR C. till the material has fully absorbed the applied amount of strengthening material. It necessary, a further treatment can follow after 2-3 weeks at the earliest; here, too, the complete saturation of the friable material must be guaranteed.
If a subsequent treatment is made before the formation of active substance is completely finished, the stone cannot yet absorb the stone strengthener. As a consequence, the surface will become grey.
The amount of MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED needed for the consolidation dependes on the kind or building material. The consumption may range between 0,5 and 15 l/m². Example: a stone which was damaged to a depth of 6 cm needed in the first cycle of treatment 5 l/m² of MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED and in the second -executed after 3 weeks- 3,5 l/m². In another case an amount of 2,7 l/m² was applied and a penetration depth of 10 cm could be proved. The necessary amount of MAXCLEAR C. must be determined on a test surface.
Post-treatment
In order to prevent the surface from changing its colour by the treatment with silicic acid ethyl ester, it is recommended to wash the stone surface with a solvent, e.g. white spirit, immediately after the saturation.
Application of stone-replacing-material and paints
Areas treated with MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED can receive stonereplacing materials or a mineral silicate painting, if the transformation is completed. It is also possible to apply silicone paints to MAXCLEAR D -treated areas. If the MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED is to be used only after the application of stonereplacing material or the mineral silicone paint, one has to wait for at least four weeks.
Hydrophobization
The completion of every restoration should be a hydrophobization, i.e. a protection against precipitations. This can be done by a treatment with MAXCLEAR.

Precautions

- MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED contains easily inflammable solvent - please take care of the corresponding safety precautions, avoid flame and sparking.
- The containers must be protected against direct sunlight - otherwise the product will react with the atmospheric humidity and become useless (gel formation).
- The product is not allowed to get in contact with foodstuffs.
- At high concentrations in the working place, e.g. in rooms (ensure good ventilation) or if the product is applied by spraying, specially when there is no wind, breathing masks with combined gas/mechanical filter should be used.
- Wear protective gloves and glasses. Clothes soaked with MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED must be changed at once.
- Plastic materials, which are not solvent-resistant, or window panes, etc. must be protected against MAXCLEAR C. When applying the product by spraying, take care of cars parked in the surroundings.
- When applied in the dipping process, the dip tank should be closed airtight in order to avoid gelling of the MAXCLEAR C., in the case of a longer dipping time.
- If a droplet effect is formed which could complicate the application of stone-replacing material or mineral silicate paints, this effect can be removed by rubbing off the stone surfaces with NH3-water.
- If areas treated with MAXCLEAR CONSOLIDATED are to be demoulded, it is necessary to primarily treat the surface with a wetting agent, e.g. soap-solution, PVA-solution, so as to prevent the silicone demoulding compound from sticking to the surface.
- In closed containers, MAXCLEAR C. will remain in usuable condition: 12 months.

Product Data

Contents of Silicic Acid Ethyl Ester %W/W: | 75
Contents of solvent %W/W : | 25
Specific Gravity at 25°C : | ca.O.94
Colour : | Colourless to yellowish
Catalyst : | Neutral
Flash Point : | +2
Ignition temperature : | +230

Guarantee

The information contained in this leaflet is based on our experience and technical knowledge, obtained through laboratory testing and from bibliographic material. DRIZORO reserves the right to introduce changes without prior notice. Any use of this data beyond the purposes expressly specified in the leaflet will not be the Company’s responsibility unless authorised by us. We shall not accept responsibility exceeding the value of the purchased product.

© 2003 DRIZORO S.A. All rights reserved.