WO2007076525A2

WO2007076525A2 - Epoxy based primer coating

Info

Publication number: WO2007076525A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/062675
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralph Sacks
Original assignee: Ralph Sacks
Priority date: 2005-12-28
Filing date: 2006-12-28
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: WO2007076525A9; WO2007076525A3

Abstract

Here is disclosed a non-water based polymeric water vapor barrier composition containing water-resistant lammellar particles in addition to other water resistant fillers. Also disclosed are methods of using such composition to reduce water vapor permeance of surfaces.

Description

TITLE

EPOXY BASED PRIMER COATING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of the present invention is that of paints and coatings. In particular, the present invention is concerned with water-resistant primers, epoxy- based coatings and sealants including coatings and sealants having antimicrobial characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a concrete slab is poured, there occurs a period of setting, which is the initial solidification. After setting, concrete cures over an extended period of time of up to several months. Curing is the process through which the hydration reaction completes, excess water is lost and the concrete develops its strength. It is a common practice to place polyethylene sheeting, fresh straw, or other protective sheeting or substances , over freshly poured concrete and uncured concrete slabs to assist in water retention and curing. Subsequently, polymeric coatings and sealants are often applied to hardened and cured concrete slabs to reduce moisture loss or to effectively waterproof and protect the concrete slab. Generally, further progress, in completing of flooring, and concomitantly construction of a structure, is delayed by days or weeks while the concrete cures because water from the slab can interfere with or damage coatings such as paints and/or adhesives, and flooring such as vinyl or wood. Flooring placed onto sealed floors is delayed as well.

Persons having skill in the art recognize that sealants presently used and known present significant drawbacks. Commonly used waxy sealants, that promote water retention and therefore well-cured concrete, for example, must be removed from the surface before any other material will adhere to the concrete . Such an operation adds to the costs and delays in preparing and finishing a concrete floor and, in no small way, the entire project, or ultimately, the structure.

Sealing and waterproofing also serve to reduce the amount of water that travels from or through concrete into the space where the slab is poured. Water from or passing through concrete, and/or upon its surface, can also interfere with the setting, drying and strengthening of subsequent applications of additional coatings or flooring adhesives .

It would reduce construction delays and improve the strength of the concrete slab if a surface sealant could be applied shortly after the concrete is poured, that is while the concrete is still "green", that is, if the concrete is in an uncured state . " Additional benefits could be realized if the sealant is convenient to apply using conventional coating techniques and new easy and efficient methods, need not be removed, and can function as both a primer and finish coating in addition to its function as a water vapor barrier. Still further benefits are realized if the transmission of water vapor can be reduced to under 3 pounds per square foot per 1000 square feet per day from surfaces through which water vapor permeance is as high as about 25 pounds per 1000 square feet per day. Presently, vapor barrier sheets or sheathing, like Tyvek™ by Dupont^® and foil-lined materials are used for buildings in both hot and cold climates to prevent moisture accumulation within or on walls . These barriers typically cannot be applied to existing structures such as may need remediation due to mold or other moisture damage. It would, therefore, be beneficial if an effective water vapor barrier could be applied to any building surface with the same convenience and ease as standard paint .

It is known in the art that glass flakes can be added to coating systems and products, such as epoxies, to reduce corrosion and increase chemical resistance of the surfaces to which they are applied. For example, coatings containing glass flakes are used to protect steel and other metals exposed to seawater and caustic environments. Although some coatings including glass flakes confer chemical and corrosion resistance, corrosion and most other chemical attacks are not believed to be caused by water alone, but rather by ionic species such as sodium, chloride and other ions in sea water or hydronium ions in acidic solutions .

Known sealants incorporating products such as glass flakes, mica, silica, barium sulfate, pigments or other inert fillers, as are commonly used in the art, are generally not so water-impermeable as to permit their use over uncured concrete that has been coated with such sealants or to serve as a water vapor barrier. That is, carpeting, vinyl flooring and/or wood flooring generally cannot be laid onto uncured concrete that has been treated with sealants, with or without glass flakes, that are presently known in the art. We had previously found that such a coating made with a water-based epoxy was able to be applied to fluid concrete and reduce water vapor flux from about twelve pounds to below three pounds, a vast improvement over other systems and adequate for many situations. However, surprisingly improved water vapor resistance was observed with non-water based polymeric carriers, as described below, such that a water barrier may now be conveniently applied even in high water vapor permeance areas .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Here is disclosed a two component, non-water based epoxy primer formulated to drastically reduce moisture vapor transmission from substrates and surfaces to which it is applied. The non-water based polymeric sealant composition comprises a polymeric carrier having dispersed therein about 0.5% to about 15% by volume of colloidal silica and about 0.5% to about 45% by volume of a water- impenetrable lamellar solid material selected from the group consisting of glass flakes, ceramic flakes, mineral flakes, plastic flakes, mica and mixtures thereof. The polymeric sealant contains a polymeric carrier selected from the group consisting of epoxies, polyester resins, vinylester resins, phenolic resins, cyanate esters, polyurethanes , bismaleimides, polyimides, and epoxy novolac resins and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred embodiments have epoxy resin carriers, preferably bisphenol A epoxies or bisphenol F epoxies . Other particularly preferred carriers are polyester resins, vinylester resins, phenolic resins, cyanate esters, polyurethanes, bismaleimides, and polyimides.

Preferred water-impenetrable lamellar solid materials are glass flakes and mica flakes. Preferably, the polymeric carrier or the lamellar solid material contains or is treated with a silane.

Preferred epoxy-based, non-water-based coatings are comprised of two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A preferably comprises an epoxy resin, about 0.5% to about 45% water-impenetrable lamellar solid materials selected from the group consisting of glass flakes, ceramic flakes, mineral flakes, plastic flakes, mica and mixtures thereof, about 0.5% to about 10% of colloidal silica, a polar organic solvent, and optionally present pigments, texturizers, and fillers such as barium sulfate, anti- cratering compounds and anti-silking compounds that together control the properties of the uncured and the cured coating. Preferably, Part A contains about 55% to about 85% of an epoxy resin, more preferably about 55% to about 75% of a bisphenol A epoxy resin. Preferably, Part A contains about 2% to about 10% of a polar organic solvent, more preferably about 2% to about 5% tetrahydrafurfuryl alcohol and about 1% to about 5% benzyl alcohol. Part A preferably contains about 1% to about 6% -of a silane, and more preferably about 2% to about 4%. Part A preferably contains about 0% to about 5% pigment, preferably about 1% to about 5% titanium dioxide and about 0% to about 1% of green iron oxide pigment . Preferably, Part A contains about 0% to about 6% of an antimicrobial agent, about 2% to about 9% of a metal silicate that is preferably magnesium silicate and talc. Preferably, Part A contains about 0.5% to about 5% glass flakes, about 0% to about 3% of glass beads, about 0% to about 5% silica flour, and about 3% to about 10% of colloidal silica. Preferably, Part A also contains about 0% to about 5% blanc fixe.

Part B preferably comprises about 70% to about 100% of a hardening agent, such as a polyamine and optionally further comprises about 0% to about 30% of a polar organic solvent. The hardener is preferably one or more of a cycloaliphatic amine hardener, an aliphatic amine hardener, a modified cycloaliphatic amine hardener and a modified aliphatic amine hardener. The polar organic solvent is preferably benzyl alchohol .

In most preferred embodiment, Parts A and B are mixed together in a ratio of about 3 volumes A to 1 volume B . In another preferred embodiment, Parts A and are mixed together in a two to one ration by volume . In other preferred embodiments, such as in the cases of polyester and vinylester resins, the fluid resin is converted to a solid by action of a catalyst, and as such ratios of resin to catalyst may be hundreds to one or greater.

In another aspect, the invention is a method for reducing water vapor permeance through a surface by applying such a non-water based polymeric sealant to a surface. The surface to which the polymeric sealant is to be applied is preferably concrete, and can be uncured concrete. In another aspect, the method is reducing water vapor permeance of other surfaces such as a wall. Preferably, water vapor permeance is reduced to less than 3 pounds of water per 1000 square feet per 24 hours, preferably where water vapor permeance without application of the polymeric sealant was in excess of 12 pounds per 1000 square feet per 24 hours.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Here is disclosed a two component, non-water based epoxy primer formulated to drastically reduce moisture vapor transmission from substrates and surfaces to which it is applied. The surfaces to which it can be applied include freshly poured green concrete, properly prepared concrete, cement backerboard, cement patch underlayments , terrazzo flooring or anywhere where moisture vapor protection is required. The epoxy sealant of the present invention is also adaptable to optionally incorporate antimicrobial agents .

In contrast to other products known in the art, this sealant is suitable for application to green (set but uncured) concrete . Modes of application include but are not limited to brushing, roller, squeegee, sprays and other methods of applying liquids to surfaces as are known in the art . Benefits of the current invention include improved curing and strength of cement by increasing the amount of water retained by the cement during the hydration reaction. Another benefit is to reduce waiting time between pouring of liquid concrete and subsequent application of additional coatings or flooring materials (e.g. carpet or vinyl and wood tiling) to the concrete slab by reducing the amount of water vapor at the surface of the curing slab, so as not to interfere with subsequent coating or paint compounds or flooring adhesives.

It is also known in the art that diverse epoxies, such as novolac epoxies, are especially suitable for coating surfaces that reach high temperature and/or encounter consistant contact with solvents or corrosive chemicals.

The coating and/or sealant of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, comprises special water- resistant fillers, such as water-impenetrable flakes and/or colloidal silica, and optionally includes barium sulfate, tints and/or pigments and other fillers that are commonly used in the creation of coatings and sealants . Although barium sulfate, talc, pigments and other fillers can contribute to the overall water resistance of a resulting coating, it is well known from their use in prior art applications over many years that these common coating additives alone, or in combination, are not very effective barriers to water vapor transmission.

Water-impenetrable flakes such as glass flakes, plastic flakes, ceramic flakes, metal flakes, and/or mica, when added to colloidal silica, dispersed in a polymeric carrier, are believed to impart the greatest moisture vapor protection to the inventive composition.

Where incorporated into an epoxy sealant, it can be advantageous for the water-impenetrant flakes to be surface-treated, preferably silane-coated, to improve flake-polymer interactions. It is well understood in the art that different surface treatments and treatment agents impart different characteristics to the flakes. In a preferred embodiment, water-impenetrable flakes are treated with an epoxysilane to facilitate adhesion of an epoxy polymeric carrier. In another preferred embodiment, flakes are treated with an aminosilane or diaminosilane to facilitate interactions with hydrophilic materials . In other preferred embodiments, acrylsilane and/or vinylsilane treatments and agents facilitate interactions between flakes and hydrophobic materials .

In a most preferred embodiment, treatment agents, preferably silanes, are incorporated into the polymeric carrier formulation while the flakes remain untreated.

Glass flakes are an especially preferred water- impenetrable flake. Flakes of chemical-resistant glass, such as borosilicate glass, are especially preferred. Epoxysilane-treated, chemical resistant glass flakes available from Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., RCF-140T, are especially preferred for their uniform thickness, flatness, advantageous surface treatment and chemical resistance.

The lamellar material, also referred to throughout as, and being synonymous with, 'flakes', are platelet-like in shape- that is, they are substantially wider than they are thick, like plates, sheets or fish scales. In preferred embodiments, the flakes range from about 10 microns to about 5 millimeters in width and from about 2 to about 500 microns thick. It is believed beneficial for the flakes to be used in any particular formulation be without substantial curvature and be of similar size. For this reason, a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive sealant includes "RCF" Microglas^® Glasflak^® glass flakes from Nippon Glass Sheet Co., Ltd. Another preferred embodiment of the inventive sealant includes mica flakes from 3 mesh to 220 mesh.

It is believed that the lamellar materials help to create the water barrier on a surface to which the inventive coating is applied. As the sealant dries and/or polymerizes, it is believed that the water-impenetrable flakes and colloidal silica particles settle into a water- resistant layer or layers and/or form a matrix that is supported, penetrated, filled and surrounded by the polymeric carrier, such as the exemplary epoxy resin or other polymeric carrier.

Although certain examples below discuss the inventive combination of water-impenetrable materials in particular polymeric carriers, it will be readily understood, by one having skill in the art, that other, similar carriers can be used without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. Such other non-water based polymeric carriers known in the art include, e.g., polyester resins, vinylester resins, phenolic resins, cyanate esters, polyurethanes, bismaleimides, polyimides, and epoxy novolac resins. Other polymeric coating systems known in the art can also act as polymeric carriers for the water- impenetrable components without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.

The sealant of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, is formulated so that it can be applied to fresh, "green" concrete as soon as it has achieved initial setting , roughly a day after pouring, so that adherance of the coating to the surface is not prevented by free water that may present on the surface of freshly poured, fluid concrete. Other embodiments of the invention are suitable for application to building materials such as gypsum drywall to supplement or replace other water vapor barriers . Still further benefits and advantages will be apparent to the skilled worker from the disclosures herein.

US Patent Application 2004/0176502 of Raymond et al . , published September 9, 2004, at paragraphs 84-85 discloses an epoxy-based concrete sealant with undefined moisture barrier properties. In contrast to that example, in a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, an epoxy polymeric sealant, can be applied directly to green or even fluid concrete. Further, the instant invention has the unexpected result of reduced water vapor permeance, providing such benefits as the ability of users to apply additional flooring immediately after the coating polymerizes .

In a further advantage of the preferred epoxy polymeric sealant of the present invention, where Raymond et al . describes pre-treating by brooming or shot-blasting the already set concrete to facilitate sealant adhesion while no such treatment or preparation is required for the instant invention. Still further, the formulations taught in Raymond et al . do not incorporate water-impenetrable lamellar materials or colloidal silica.

As will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, the amount of lamellar materials and colloidal silica in a polymeric carrier can each vary from less than 0.5% w/w (weight per weight) of the sum of the coating formulation to as much as 45% w/w of lamellar material and 15% w/w colloidal silica can be made without departing from the novel spirit and scope of the claimed invention. As is also known in the art, the nature and amounts of other additives and fillers including pigments, thickening agents, and extenders can vary substantially as well, from zero to about 65% w/w of the final formulation without departing from the novel spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

A polymeric sealant of the present invention can incorporate an antimicrobial agent that inhibits the growth of micro-organisms such as bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface of the coating film. One group of antimicrobial agents useful to impart antimicrobial and antiseptic properties to a polymeric sealant made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, comprise microbe- inhibiting metals including silver, copper, zinc, gold and others as are known in the art, or combinations thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the antimicrobial metal is adsorbed onto microscopic zeolite particles. In some other embodiments, the metal is associated with microscopic zeolite particles by ionic bonding, such that slow ion- exchange will release the antimicrobial metal ions and thereby the anti-microbial properties. In a preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial agent is one of the metal- zeolite complexes sold under the trade name AgION^®, which is available as a dispersible powder, and is dispersed within the sealant composition along with the other ingredients . The sealant of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, is prepared by mixing to homogeneity two components, Part A and Part B, comprising a two-component, penetrating, non-water based epoxy primer. In contrast to commercially available products, this sealant is particularly well adapted for application to "green" (set but uncured) concrete . Improved curing and strength of concrete can be realized by increasing the amount of water retained by the cement, the bonding agent of concrete, during the hydration reaction, while simultaneously allowing for other construction to proceed apace without concrete moisture-related delays.

The sealant of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, comprises special water-resistant fillers such as glass flakes, silica, silica powders, tints and pigments and other fillers, each of which are believed to help to create the moisture vapor protection system. The sealant of the present invention is uniquely formulated so that it may be applied to fresh, green concrete as soon as it has achieved initial set .

The sealant of the present invention is prepared by mixing to homogeneity the two components , Part A and Part B, in ratios. In a preferred embodiment, Parts A and B are mixed together in approximately three to one by volume. In most preferred embodiment, Parts A and B are mixed together in a ratio of about 3 volumes A to 1 volume B . In another preferred embodiment, Parts A and are mixed together in a two to one ration by volume . In other preferred embodiments, such as in the cases of polyester and vinylester resins, the fluid resin is converted to a solid by action of a catalyst, and as such ratios of resin to catalyst may be hundreds to one or greater.

In general Part A comprises the resin, polar solvents, pigments and fillers. Preferably, the resin is an epoxy resin. Where the resin is an epoxy resin, Part A comprises, by volume about 50% - about 80% of an epoxy resin, about 2% to about 5% of a polar organic solvent, about 3% to about 6% of a silane, about 2% to about 5% of a pigment, optionally about 1% to about 3% of an antimicrobial agent, about 2% to about 5% of a magnesium silicate, about 1% to about 4% of talc, about 3% to about 5% of benzyl alcohol, about 1% to about 3% of an anti- cratering agent, about 1% to about 3% of an anti-silking agent, about 3% to about 4% glass flakes, about 3 % to about 5% barium sulfate, about 2% - 4% glass beads, and about 2% - about 5% silica flour. The Part A formulation of a preferred embodiment comprises about 60% to about 70% of a bisphenol A epoxy resin, about 2% to about 5% tetrahydrafurfuryl alcohol, about 3% to about 6% of silane, optionally about 1% to about 3% of an antimicrobial agent, about 2% to about 5% of magnesium silicate, titanium dioxide and about 1% to about 4% of micro talc. The exact ratio of these constituents in the Part A formulation of one preferred embodiment of the instant invention is found in Table 1. In other preferred embodiments, a novolac epoxy resin is used in place of the bisphenol A epoxy resin, requiring modifications to the overall formulation that will be apparent to the person having ordinary skill in the art . In general, when Part A contains an epoxy resin, Part B comprises the hardening (curing) agent and benzyl alcohol. In a preferred embodiment, Part B comprises by volume about 70% to about 100% and more preferably 85% to about 92% of an amine hardening agent, and about 0% to about 30% and most preferably 8% to about 12% benzyl alcohol. Part B can optionally comprise more than one hardening agent, depending on the desired properties of the polymeric sealant, setting time, and the like as is known in the art . The Part B formulation in a preferred embodiment comprises about 85% to about 92% of cycloaliphatic amine and aliphatic amine curing agents that are blended with about 8% to about 12% benzyl alcohol. Where non-epoxy resins are used, Part B will contain a curing or hardening catalyst instead of the amine agent used for epoxies, as will be understood by those having skill in the art .

When Part B is mixed with Part A, a mix is obtained that is then applied to a porous surface such as concrete. The epoxy sealant begins to penetrate into and/or be absorbed by the concrete and the pores of the concrete are blocked with the magnesium silicate, talc, pigment, silica, silica flour and glass flakes. The silica and glass flakes are an important part of this formulation as they are particularly moisture resistant and provide physical, substantially water-impenetrable barriers to water or moisture. The importance of the silica and silica flour is that it is believed that as the epoxy liquid is sucked into the concrete, it leaves behind a barrier of silica which also helps to block the pores of the concrete . The glass flakes, being platelet-like in form (e.g., substantially wider than they are thick, and can resemble fish scales) , also help to create a water barrier on top of the concrete surface. As the epoxy sets, it is believed that the glass particles and the silica particles settle into a water- resistant layer or layers and/or form a matrix that is supported, penetrated, filled and. surrounded by the epoxy resin.

When the inventive epoxy-based sealant sets and dries, it leaves behind a barrier coating that significantly reduces water vapor transmission form the concrete surface. When applied to green concrete the sealant of the most preferred embodiment reduces moisture escape from the concrete surface from about 25 pounds of water per 1000 square feet over 24 hours to less than about 3 pounds of water per 1000 square feet over 24 hours. This reduction in moisture transport, in the case of green concrete, is adequate to permit application of additional layers of coatings or floorings days earlier than was previously possible. This reduction is surprisingly superior to that achieved previously with water-based epoxy polymeric coatings with similar water-impermeant components, where water permeance could only be reduced to below 3 pounds if the starting water vapor flux was about or less than 12 pounds . One having ordinary skill in the art would have expected similar performance because similar epoxy resins and fillers were used.

The inventive sealant can be used as a primer, coating, waterproofing treatment, or a sole treatment. The sealant can be applied to e.g. fully cured concrete surfaces, cement backboards, cement patch underlayments, terrazzo flooring, porous tile surfaces, drywall surfaces, and other surfaces where a moisture barrier is desirable.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above described Parts A and B are merely exemplary and that other formulations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Where incorporated into a polymeric sealant, it can be advantageous for the water-impenetrant flakes to be surface-treated, preferably silane-coated, to improve flake-polymer interactions. It is well understood in the art that different surface treatments and treatment agents impart different characteristics to the flakes. In a preferred embodiment, water-impenetrable flakes are treated with an epoxysilane to facilitate adhesion of an epoxy polymeric carrier. In another preferred embodiment, flakes are treated with an aminosilane or diaminosilane to facilitate interactions with hydrophilic materials. In other preferred embodiments, acrylsilane and/or vinylsilane treatments and agents facilitate interactions between flakes and hydrophobic materials.

Glass flakes are an especially preferred water- impenetrable flake. Flakes of chemical-resistant glass, such as borosilicate glass, are especially preferred. Epoxysilane-treated, chemical resistant glass flakes available from Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., RCF-14OT, are especially preferred for their uniform thickness, flatness, advantageous surface treatment and chemical resistance. The lamellar material, also referred to throughout as, and being synonymous with, 'flakes', are platelet-like in shape- that is, they are substantially wider than they are thick, like plates, sheets or fish scales. In preferred embodiments, the flakes range from about 10 microns to about 5 millimeters in width and from about 2 to about 500 microns thick. It is believed beneficial for the flakes to be used in any particular formulation be without substantial curvature and be of similar size. For this reason, a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive sealant includes "RCF" Microglas^® Glasflak^® glass flakes from Nippon Glass Sheet Co., Ltd. Another preferred embodiment of the inventive sealant includes mica flakes from 3 mesh to 220 mesh.

It is believed that the lamellar materials help to create the water barrier on a surface to which the inventive coating is applied. As the sealant dries and/or polymerizes, it is believed that the water-impenetrable flakes and colloidal silica particles settle into a water- resistant layer or layers and/or form a matrix that is supported, penetrated, filled and surrounded by the polymeric carrier, such as the exemplary epoxy resin or other polymeric carrier. As is understood in the art, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and other alcohols can be used to protect the water-based polymeric sealant from freezing and thereby adapt the polymeric sealant for use in cold conditions .

Although certain examples below discuss the inventive combination of water-impenetrable materials in particular polymeric carriers, it will be readily understood, by one having skill in the art, that other carriers can be used without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.

Example 1. Parts and B are prepared separately by mixing of the components listed in Table 1. Each Part is stable and can be stored e.g., for shipping. Prior to application, parts A and B are mixed together in a 3:1 Volume A: Volume B ratio.

TABLE 1

PART A

¹ Available from Resolution Performance Products .

² Available from The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI

³ Available from Troy Chemical Co.

PART B

ANCAMINE^® 2280 ' Cycloaliphatic 58 8 .84 56 61.88 Amine Hardener

ANCAMINE^® 1637^b Aliphatic Amine 27 9 3 ^CTl 28.31 Hardener

Benzyl alcohol 9. 13 8 .7 1. 04 9.81

Total 94 .13 8 .88 10 .6 100

Mix Ratio - Part A : Part B 3:1

Table 1. Components of a working example of the invention. "Material" denotes a commercial, trade, or brand name or identifier. Many of these are trademarks of the source company. Description denotes the nature of the component. Weight is in pounds .

⁴ Available from FRP Services & Co. (America) Inc. White Plains NY, US distributor for Nippon Sheet Glass, Co. Ltd. , Tokyo, Japan

⁵ Available from Aglon Technologies, Wakefield, MA.

⁶ Available from ϋ. S. Silica Company, Berkeley Springs, WV

⁷ Available from Air Products, Inc., Allentown PA.

⁸ Available from Air Products, Inc., Allentown PA.

Claims

I claim :

1. A non-water based polymeric sealant composition comprising a polymeric carrier having dispersed therein: a) about 0.5% to about 15% by volume of colloidal silica; and b) about 0.5% to about 45% by volume of a water- impenetrable lamellar solid material selected from the group consisting of glass flakes, ceramic flakes, mineral flakes> plastic flakes, mica and mixtures thereof.

2. The polymeric sealant according to claim 1 where the polymeric carrier is selected from the group consisting of epoxyies, polyester resins, vinylester resins, phenolic resins, cyanate esters, polyurethanes , bismaleimides, polyimides, and epoxy novolac resins and mixtures thereof.

3. The polymeric sealant according to claim 2 where said water-impenetrable lamellar solid material is glass flakes .

4. The polymeric sealant according to claim 1 where said water-impenetrable lamellar solid material is mica.

5. The polymeric sealant according to claim 1 where said polymeric carrier is a bisphenol A epoxy resin.

6. The polymeric sealant according to claim 1 where said polymeric carrier is a bisphenol F epoxy resin.

7. The polymeric sealant according to claim 6 where said polymeric carrier is chosen from the group consisting of polyester resins, vinylester resins, phenolic resins, cyanate esters, polyurethanes, bismaleimides, and polyimides .

8. A two-part non-water-based coating composition comprised of two parts, Part A and Part B: where Part A comprises; a) an epoxy resin; b) about 0.5% to about 45% water-impenetrable lamellar solid materials selected from the group consisting of glass flakes, ceramic flakes, mineral flakes, plastic flakes, mica and mixtures thereof; c) about 0.5% to about 10% of colloidal silica b) a polar organic solvent; c) and optionally present pigments, texturizers, and fillers; and Part B comprises; a) a hardening agent; b) and optionally further comprising a polar organic solvent .

9. A two-part non-water-based coating composition comprised of a Part A and a Part B, where Part A comprises by volume : a) about 55% to about 85% of an epoxy resin; b) about 2% to about 12% of a polar organic solvent; c) about 1% to about 6% of a silane; d) about 0% to about 5% pigment; e) about 0% to about 6% of an antimicrobial agent; and f) about 2% to about 9% of a metal silicate; g) about 0.5% to about 5% glass flakes; h) about 0% to about 5% blanc fixe; i) about 3% to about 10% of colloidal silica; and j) about 0% to about 5% silica flour

and where Part B comprises by volume: a) about 70% to about 100% of a curing agent for said epoxy resin; and b) about 0% to about 30% polar organic solvents.

10. The two-part non-water-based coating composition of claim 9 where Part A and Part B are admixed in a ratio by volume of about three volumes of Part A to about one volume of Part B .

11. A two-part non-water-based coating composition comprised of a Part A and a Part B, where Part A comprises by volume : a) about 55% to about 75% of a bisphenol A epoxy resin,- b) about 2% to about 5% tetrahydrafurfuryl alcohol; c) about 2% to about 4% of silane; d) optionally about 2% to about 5% of an antimicrobial agent; e) about 3% to about 7% of magnesium silicate; f) about 1% to about 5% titanium dioxide; g) about 0% to about 1% of green iron oxide pigment; h) about 0% to about 3% of an anti-cratering additive; i) about 0% to about 3% of an anti-silking additive; j) about 0.5% to about 5% glass flakes; k) about 0% to about 5% blanc fixe;

1) about 3% to about 10% of colloidal silica; m) about 0% to about 5% silica flour; xi) about 0% to about 3% of glass beads,- and o) about 1% to about 5% benzyl alcohol,

and Part B comprises by volume: a) about 70% to about 100% of a polyamide curing agent for said epoxy resin,- and b) about 0% to about 30% benzyl alcohol.

12. A method of reducing water vapor permeance of a surface that comprises applying the polymeric sealant of claim 1 to said surface.

13. The method of reducing water vapor permeance of a surface of claim 12 where said surface is a concrete surface .

14. A method of reducing water vapor permeance of a surface that comprises applying the polymeric sealant of claim 9 to said surface.

15. A method of reducing water vapor permeance of a surface that comprises applying the polymeric sealant of claim 11 to said surface.

16. The method of claim 15 where said surface is a concrete surface .

17. The method of claim 16 where said surface is an uncured concrete surface .

18. A method of reducing water vapor permeance of a surface that comprises applying the polymeric sealant of claim 6 to said surface.

19. The method of claim 18 where said surface is a surface of a wall.

21. The method of claim 14 where water vapor permeance is reduced to below 3 pounds per 1000 square feet per 24 hours.

20. The method of claim 15 where water vapor permeance is reduced to below 3 pounds per 1000 square feet per 24 hours.