WO1996031292A1

WO1996031292A1 - Coating of surfaces exposed to pollution

Info

Publication number: WO1996031292A1
Application number: PCT/SE1996/000448
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kjell K. Alm
Original assignee: Sealflock Aktiebolag
Priority date: 1995-04-06
Filing date: 1996-04-04
Publication date: 1996-10-10
Also published as: SE9501319D0; AU5351396A; SE9501319L

Abstract

The present invention refers to a method of giving surfaces exposed to pollution and which are normally situated above water level a protecting coating. Besides protecting the material of the foundation from the effects of the pollution the coating also has the advantage that pollution and dirt are not easily fastened to it. Thanks to the invention dirt, humidity, and pollution of above-mentioned sorts are prevented from getting in direct contact with the basis or the material. This is done by coating the basis or the material with fibre flock on the surfaces that are to be protected.

Description

COATING OF SURFACES EXPOSED TO POLLUTION.

The present invention relates to a method of giving surfaces exposed to pollution a protecting cover. Besides protecting the material of the foundation from the damages of the pollution the coating also has the effect that dirt and pollution not easily sticks to it and if they do under certain circumstances they partially or totally fall off or can easily be removed from the cover.

Pollution in shape of dirt, deposits and salts is a problem in some environments. For example nearby road traffic a difficult problem with pollution is formed, especially during wintertime when a humid mixture of sand, salt, and different sorts of pollution covers traffic signs, reflexes and wooden- concrete-, and iron constructions. By the layer of dirt humidity is bound, affecting the foundation negatively making the pollution and the salt penetrate the foundation. Another example is in the sea-, or coastal areas where salty winds can bring and emit salt and humidity on bridges, fasades and so on.

According to the present invention, dirt, humidity, and pollution of the above mentioned sorts are prevented from getting in direct contact with a foundation or material. This is possible by providing the foundation or the material with fibre flock on the surfaces that are to be protected.

It is thus convenient to provide traffic signs, concrete constructions in shape of bridges, tunnels etc. , road railings, fronts of houses and similar with fibre flock. Besides that the layer of fibre flock forms a surface that dirt not easily sticks to, it also creates a barrier that sucks the humidity from the foundation towards the surface of fibre flock, at which the humidity easily evaporates because of the enlargened surface that the fibres create. In connection with the evaporation of the humidity on the surface, pollution bound by the humidity is dried and it easily falls off, for example by giving the fibres a small movement from the wind or other vibrations. Moreover, the foundation can be protected by the layer of fibre flock from other pollutants, like bacteria and other micro organisms, insects and alike.

The technique of providing a surface with fibre flock is well known. First of all the surface of the foundation is coated with an adhesive, after which electrically charged fibres are caused to land in the adhesive and are fastened to it. The adhesive often is a two component resin and the fibres usually are synthetic, made of polyamide for instance. However, the fibres useful for the present invention are not limited to any special type, for example carbon fibres, glass fibres or similar can be used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention a lot of fibres are used, which after electrostatic application to a great extent will be fixed perpendicular to the basis. The density of fibres may be 50-300 fibres per square mm, preferably more than 150 fibres per square mm, with a fibre thickness less than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.05 mm and a length of 0.5-5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm.

It is by the patent application PCT/SE93/00504 known how to prevent overgrowing of surfaces that are in contact with water by covering the surfaces with fibre flock. It is also known that you can coat construction sheets with fibre flock on one side to prevent problems with condensation.

The present invention is essentially different from what is already known by that the fibre flock coating is used to reduce or eliminate problems concerning pollution of the fibre flock covered areas that normally are not situated below water level.

As mentioned above, the present invention has got the advantage that surfaces are resistant to dirt and/or are easily cleaned and the basis is also protected from harmful substances from the pollution. The use of harmful cleaners and cleaning work can be eliminated or at least be reduced.

The invention is not limited to the above mentioned embodiments, it can be varied in different ways within the scope of the patent claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of protecting surfaces, that normally are not situated below water level, from pollution, charac- terized in that the surfaces are provided with fibre flock containing synthetic fibres that are applied in an adhesive on the surfaces.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the fibre flock consists of synthetic textile fibres that are applied in an adhesive on the surfaces.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the application is done with an electrostatic technique.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fibres have a length of between 0.5 and 5 mm and a density of 50-300 fibres per square mm.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the fibres have a length between 0.5 and 3 mm and a density of up to 150-300 fibres per square mm.

6. The use of fibre flock applied in an adhesive on a surface to make the surface and its material resistant to airborne pollution, micro organisms, insects and so on.