FR3051812A1 - PIECE WITH PHOTOLUMINESCENT PROPERTIES FOR PAVEMENT OR COVERING - Google Patents

Abstract

the invention relates to a room with photoluminescent properties for pavement or coating which is characterized in that elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) are integrated in the mass of at least a part (1a) of the part, which gives on outside, and in that at least the visible surface (3) of said part of the workpiece is a polished, milled, cut, brushed, sandblasted or blasted surface with suitable abrasives which increase the exposure of said fragments to said visible surface (3) which is further sensitized, the presence of these elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) in the mass of this part (1a) of the part being obviously greater than that of other parts (1b, 1c ) of the room, such as those that do not open to the outside or those whose visible surface will not be accessible when the room is placed in a work.

Description

The invention relates to a room for covering floors or walls, both inside and outside, defined as a block, slab or tile, with photoluminescent properties.

There are in the state of the art proposals which consist of prefabricated concrete parts which are obtained from a hardened or hardened mass, said mass comprising in its composition elements or fragments of elements with photoluminescent properties. The property of such elements is that their electronic structure is capable of absorbing the energy from incident radiation to emit a portion of this energy later, when the electrons return to their ground state, in the form of visible light. . Photoluminescent minerals are an example of elements with these properties. The resulting piece presents, besides a different aesthetic of the conventional parts, practical advantages to bring out its presence in the darkness or in tenuous environments.

Such proposals nevertheless have some practical drawbacks, such as the increase in the cost per unit mass of the parts because of the high cost of these fragments or elements with photoluminescent properties; and the fact that during the rest of the mass for its setting and hardening under the effect of the physical barriers that the molds impose, these fragments or elements with photoluminescent properties are not sufficiently exposed to the outside to fully take advantage of their properties when the part is installed in its place of destination.

The part according to the present invention solves these and other disadvantages as described in detail below.

The piece with photoluminescent properties for pavement or coating according to the invention is characterized in that elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties are integrated into the mass of at least a part of the part, which gives on the outside, and in that at least the visible surface of said part of the part is a polished, milled surface. cut, brushed, sandblasted or blasted with appropriate abrasives which increase the exposure of said fragments on said visible surface which is further sensitized, the presence of these fragments with photoluminescent properties in the mass of this part of the room being obviously greater than that of other parts of the room, such as those that do not face the exterior or those whose visible surface will not be accessible when the room is placed in a work. The invention therefore departs from these proposals which are based for example on the application of a layer of paint, varnish or the like, with photoluminescent properties, on the part.

The part can be in the form of block, slab or tile, depending on the case and the application for which it is intended. The structure and composition described above make it suitable for pavement or cladding, but also for other uses such as a curb, a channel, a step, a functional block such as a step , a bench, a terminal, ultimately, any building element.

According to the invention, the fragments with photoluminescent properties are not homogeneously distributed over the part, but are intentionally classified or accumulated according to the part of the part whose outer surface will be or is intended to be accessible when the part will be placed on the work. This classification can be achieved simply by sedimentation when the mass is not hardened; by pouring the fragments into the mold in due time instead of first preparing the mixture, it is the mass with the fragments with photoluminescent properties, and then pour it into the mold; or because the mass of that part of the room facing the outside is a hairpiece, such as a piece of hair that is filled with a concavity of which the room is provided, all the foregoing as will be illustrated below. after. Advantageously, the accumulation of these functional fragments only on the target parts significantly reduces the manufacturing costs. On the other hand, it sometimes happens that to compensate for the fact that the fragments with photoluminescent properties are not sufficiently exposed when the part is manufactured in a conventional manner, it tends to increase its quantity which has an impact on the cost as it has already been reported.

Instead of increasing the presence of the fragments with photoluminescent properties, on the part according to the invention the visible surface of the portion of the tile which incorporates these fragments is polished, milled or cut with appropriate abrasives which increase the exposure of said fragments on said visible surface, but without irreparably altering their photoluminescent properties.

Polishing finishes that can conventionally be implemented on concrete parts are not appropriate for the purpose that is aimed in a room like that of the invention, so such polishing operations that are implemented would scratch or deteriorate. the luster of the fragments with photoluminescent properties exposed by irreversibly deteriorating their properties.

In the concrete or cement sector, glass, diamond or laminated papers are known for working dry or wet, as well as abrasives for polishing with water composed of a cement binder and a material abrasive which must be carborundum or diamond, the problem is that these papers or abrasives scratch deeply the photoluminescent fragments and considerably decrease the intensity of light that they reflect in addition to deforming it.

According to a variant of the invention, the visible surface of the portion of the part with elements or fragments integrated with the photoluminescent properties, hereinafter called functional fragments, has a polished finish with resin abrasives with silicon carbide or carborundum. subsequently sensitized. This particular selection makes it possible to circumvent the aforementioned drawbacks.

Preferably, the visible surface area is sensitized with cerium oxide. For example, with an aqueous solution based on cerium oxide.

For example, sensitization can be achieved by buffing with a solution that includes cerium oxide by rubbing the surface with a padded cotton disc.

Although the inventors have revealed that not all abrasives are suitable and that the use of resin-bonded abrasives is ideal, the photoluminescent moiety may sometimes be scratched to a point where its photoluminescent properties are attenuated. To further improve the properties of the part, it is therefore proposed to apply cerium oxide CeO 2, a chemical compound consisting of the calcination of cerium oxalate (CeO 2 CO 2 Ce) or also of cerium hydroxide [Ce (OH) 4]. Once glossed by friction manually or automated, the functional fragments exposed on the visible surface, previously polished, deploy their full potential.

According to a variant of the invention, there is a room in the room devoid of these functional fragments.

The mass of the part or parts of the part with functional fragments need not be of the same nature as the rest of the mass that defines the part or other parts of the part.

In one variant of the invention, the mass of the part or parts of the part with functional fragments that face the outside comprises aggregates and said functional fragments, the presence by weight of the sum of the aggregates and the functional fragments being between 40% and 60% in this part of the mass.

The size of the functional fragments is decisive for potentiating the effect they produce on the piece. Thus, the invention aims at selecting the size of the functional fragments as a function of the size of the aggregates.

In a variant, the size of the functional fragments will be equal to or smaller than the size of the aggregates, so that they occupy or fill the interstices generated between the granules in contact. Thus, in one embodiment the aggregates have a size, that is to say a length in all its three dimensions, of between 3 and 6 mm and the functional fragments have a size between 1 and 3 mm in order to guarantee a filling all the holes that the functional aggregates leave. In another embodiment, the aggregates have a size, i.e., a length in all its three dimensions, between 3 and 6 mm and the functional fragments have a size between 3 and 6 mm. In another embodiment, the aggregates have a size, i.e. a length in all its three dimensions, between 3 and 6 mm and the functional fragments combine sizes between 1 and 3 mm and between 3 and 6 mm. 6 mm in a similar proportion, or the fragments between 1 and 3 mm being in a smaller proportion.

In another variant, the size of the functional fragments will be larger than the size of the aggregates, so that they occupy or fill the interstices generated between the granules in contact.

In another variant, the part has a block shape, containing the percentage of functional fragments desired, to be cut into finished and sensitized boards of the aforementioned form.

Preferably, the functional fragments are chosen from all those that may have photoluminescent characteristics, in particular those consisting of phosphorescent glass (SiO 2) with a chemical composition SrAl 2 O 4: Eu 2+, Dy 3+, K 2 SiO 3 (for the phosphorescent compound) or resin instead of glass. In any case, the polishing and sensitization process, for example by means of cerium oxide glazing, has proved particularly interesting.

Screening (size selection of photoluminescent aggregates), cleaning (to remove impurities or adhered particles) and washing these aggregates are important to ensure a perfect integration into the mass where they will be placed.

In another embodiment, the functional fragments are embedded in a resin-based mass which, in the manner of a hairpiece, has been placed in filling of a concavity of which the piece is provided, the piece being able to be a piece cement, concrete, ceramic, asphalt or any product originating from a mixture of materials which then harden or not.

Fig. 1a illustrates schematically and in cross section a part according to the invention; and

Fig. 2a shows the outer surface or a view of a part with integrated functional fragments, exposed by polishing the surface, but without sensitizing;

Fig. 2b, is a detailed detail of the area shown in FIG. 2a, which makes it possible to clearly observe that the exposed surface of the functional fragments is deteriorated, this being able to be observed in the form of discontinuities on the surface;

Fig. 3a shows the outer surface or a part view with integrated functional fragments exposed by surface polishing and sensitized; and

Fig. 3b, is a detailed detail of the area shown in FIG. 3a, which makes it possible to clearly observe that the exposed surface of the functional fragments does not exhibit the discontinuities observable in FIG. 2b.

There are crystal fragments (SiO2) on the market or resins that are photoluminescent over their entire mass, which allows their surface to be cut or polished and to retain their photoluminescent properties.

When polished or conventionally cut, in the building materials sector, a fragment of this type, referred to herein as a functional fragment, is scratched and loses much of its photoluminescent or fluorescent properties. It has been revealed, however, that if they are polished or cut with resin abrasives, also compatible with the other structural materials which usually define the mass of a pavement or lining piece, and if, in addition, a sensitization is performed, preferably with cerium oxide rubbed with a cotton quilted disc, the functional fragments respond with all their photoluminescent properties, and including, improve them when integrated into the mass.

Indeed, of all the abrasives used in the concrete sector compounds with a resin binder are selected, nevertheless, the photoluminescent fragment can be scratched, its properties being attenuated, it is therefore proposed to apply cerium oxide. - Ce02. It has been found that the application of cerium oxide is substantially improved if an abrasive with resin has been previously used, so the cutting surface of the functional fragments is not irreversibly damaged and thus retains the totality of its photoluminescent power. Cerium oxide is on the market in the form of paste or powder and is used in sectors other than the concrete field, for example it is used as catalysts to reduce the gas emissions of cars or as sunscreen or for window cleaning.

For its particular application in a room such as that of the invention, it is proposed to fill a cotton disk or the like which will rub on the part and thus on the functional fragments, which will make them all their splendor. The piece thus obtained differs from other known proposals in that it considerably improves its photoluminescent capacities.

The luminescent fragments may be incorporated into a mass which is poured into a mold, preferably before the same mass without functional fragments is poured into the same mold or a mass of distinct nature to achieve a determined classification of the fragments in the room final obtained.

These functional fragments can also be integrated in a resin-based matrix, or in a binder material, identical or different from that of the mass of the part, used to fill a milling or tapping of a part of said part once hardened. . In this case it is also necessary to provide the selection of sizes of these fragments, as explained above, since we thus fill all the holes of the matrix.

In any case, it will be proceeded to carry out a surface treatment to the part of the piece, hairpiece or not, with the functional fragments to expose them to the outside, as we mentioned above with the abrasives of resin and finish with cerium oxide

In order to obtain the part which is illustrated schematically and solely by way of example in FIG. 1a, a first layer of mass with the functional fragments is added in a plan measurement mold if necessary, according to the height and the thickness of the part, which will determine an outer part, which may contain binding material or not to then pour a second layer of mass without functional elements or fragments which will determine a second part 1b inside. In the example, a third layer of mass which will determine a third part 1c outside, but which will be hidden when the piece will be installed, is used to increase the thickness of the latter. As mentioned above, this makes it possible to reduce the high cost associated with the incorporation of these functional fragments, since their consumption is thus much less important, a large quantity of functional fragments is thus saved compared with other parts obtained by traditional methods.

The elements or raw materials that the part la of the part integrates in the exemplary embodiment, illustrated schematically in FIG. la, would be: - Cement in a proportion of 15% to 30%. - Calcium carbonate artificial marble, CaCO3, with a particle size of 0.08 to 1.1 mm in a proportion of between 20% and 35%. - Aggregates 4 of any type (marmoreal, granitic, limestone ...) in a variable proportion depending on the amount of functional fragments, the sum of the two will be between 40% and 60%. - Dyes, preferably inorganic, to give the piece the desired color, in a maximum proportion of 3%. Functional fragments 2, photoluminescent, selected from those consisting of phosphorescent glass (SiO 2) with a chemical composition SrAl 2 O 4: Eu 2+, Dy 3+, K 2 SiO 3 (for the phosphorescent compound), by resin or a mixture of the above, in an irregular manner and a color according to the preferences in a variable proportion according to the amount of photoluminescence desired. The size of these fragments will depend on the size of the marmoreal, granitic or limestone aggregates and the photoluminescent surface that is to be obtained. So if we want to obtain a complete photoluminescent surface we will have to fill all the holes left by the non functional granules with several sizes of functional granules, so that they fill all the holes. Thus, if the non-functional granulate is 3-6 mm in size, the functional aggregates should be 1-3 mm (33%) and 3-6 mm (67%) in size.

In order to achieve that the functional fragments 2 appear in an optimal proportion and in order to potentiate its photoluminescent properties, the visible surface will be polished and finalized with the aforementioned sensitization to obtain the final visible surface 3.

Figs. 2b and 3b show the differences that can be observed with the naked eye between two polished surfaces to expose the functional fragments, being in the case of FIG. 2b without being sensitized; and in the case of FIG. 3b being sensitized with cerium oxide. In the first case, without the surfaces being glossy or sensitized, the photoluminescent properties of the functional fragments are very poor whereas in the second case these properties can be exploited to the maximum.

Although in the embodiment described above the aggregates were combined with functional fragments, the invention also aims that the mass or masses are devoid of common aggregates, ie without photoluminescent properties.

In another embodiment, so that the part is rough, non-smooth surface or non-slip, instead of polishing or cutting, we will brush with diamond or hard brushes on the part, although a shot blasting or Sandblasting could be done in such a way that one of these processes damages some of the binder and non-functional stones, but hardly damages the functional ones, this is possible thanks to the hardness of the functional stones (normally SiO 2). In order to overcome the drawbacks associated with the scratches that the brushes make on the functional fragments, the piece is finished by sensitizing it with a cerium oxide glaze by rubbing the functional fragments with a padded cotton disc.

These functional fragments can also be integrated in a resin-based matrix, or in a different binder material, or not, that of the mass of the part, used to fill a milling or tapping of a part of said piece once hardened. In this case it is also necessary to provide the selection of sizes of these fragments, as explained above, since we thus fill all the holes of the matrix. The size of the fragments may also be conditioned by the size of this hairpiece.

In one example, the functional fragments are premixed with the binder material in the desired amount, which will depend on the required fluorescence intensity and the affordability, once all the product is well mixed we will proceed with the filling. with the mass obtained from the milling or tapping of the piece or slab up to the desired height.

As in the case of the preceding example, during the rest of the mass for its setting and hardening under the effect of the physical barriers that the molds impose, these fragments or elements with photoluminescent properties are not sufficiently exposed to to take full advantage of their properties, since the binder, due to its irregular shape, envelopes them practically in their entirety and we will have to proceed also to the polishing and / or cutting and posterior sensitization process, with a treatment based on cerium oxide.

In another embodiment, this polishing may have a rough surface if we also proceed with brushing or with diamond or hard brushes on the desired surface, so that this brushing damages part of the binder and stones (where appropriate). aggregates) which are not functional, but hardly damage the functional fragments, this is possible thanks to the hardness of these functional fragments (normally SiO 2). To eliminate the scratches that the brushes leave on the functional fragments, the sensitization is carried out by means of a glaze with cerium oxide by rubbing the functional fragments with a padded cotton disc.

In another embodiment, a combination of the two finishes may be achieved, that is, we will obtain parts of the workpiece in polished form and others in a rough shape.

For this it is polished the entire surface, a protector (the shape we want) is placed in the areas that selectively are not wanted with a rough finish so that the brushes do not alter them and so when the protector is removed there will be areas of the room or visible area with a first finish and others with a second finish. In any case, we will then proceed to the application with cerium oxide by rubbing the functional fragments with a padded cotton disc.

Claims (12)

1. - A room with photoluminescent properties for pavement or coating, characterized in that elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) are integrated into the mass of at least a part (la) of the room, which gives on the outside, and in that at least the visible surface (3) of said part of the part is a polished, milled, cut, brushed, sandblasted or abrasive surface with suitable abrasives which increase the exposure of said fragments to said visible surface (3) and which is further sensitized, the presence of these elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) in the mass of this part (la) of the part being obviously greater than that of other parts (1b, 1c) of the room, such as those that do not give on the outside or those whose visible surface will not be accessible when the piece will be placed in a work. 2. - A part according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mentioned visible surface (3) of the part is sensitized with cerium oxide. 3. - A part according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the visible surface (3) has a smooth finish, polished with resin abrasives with silicon carbide or carborundum. 4. - A part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the visible surface (3) has a rough finish, non-slip, resulting from polishing with diamond brushes or sufficiently hard, wherein the layer the outermost part of the mass in which the elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) are integrated has been eliminated. 5. - A part according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mass of the portion (la) of the workpiece elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) comprises in its composition aggregates (4), the presence by weight of these aggregates with that of the elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) being between 40% and 60%. 6. - A part according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the average size of the aggregates (4) is equal to or greater than the average size of the elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2). 7. - A part according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the size of the aggregates (4) being between 3 and 6 mm, the size of the elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) is between 1 and 3 mm. 8. - A part according to claim 6, characterized in that the size of the aggregates (4) being between 3 and 6 mm, the size of the elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) is between 3 and 6 mm. 9. - A part according to claim 6, characterized in that the size of the aggregates (4) being between 3 and 6 mm, the elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) combine sizes between 1 and 3 mm and between 3 and 6 mm in a similar proportion, where the fragments between 1 and 3 mm are in a smaller proportion. 10. - A part according to claim 5, characterized in that the average size of the aggregates (4) is less than the average size of the elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2). 11. - A part according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are three parts (la, 1b, 1c) laminated with a different composition of mass, at least one of said parts (1b or 1c ) being devoid of elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) integrated in its interior. 12. - A part according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the portion (la) of the part (1) where are integrated in the mass of the elements or fragments with photoluminescent properties (2) is a part part of the piece (1) filling of an inlet formed or made on the surface of the workpiece (1), the composition of this filling mass being resin-based.