Samhwa Paints has launched a new paint that extends the lifespan of concrete and, in turn, that of the buildings it protects.
Samhwa Paints announced that its 'Durability-Enhancing Paint for Apartment Housing,' co-developed with POSCO E&C, has obtained technical certification from the Korea Concrete Institute and is slated to be applied at apartment housing sites newly broken ground on by construction firms such as POSCO E&C. Concrete, which is alkaline, gradually loses its alkalinity under the influence of water and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This phenomenon is referred to as concrete carbonation, or neutralization of concrete. When concrete carbonation occurs, the reinforcing steel within the concrete corrodes, the volume of the rebar expands, and cracks form on the exterior walls of the concrete. In severe cases, this can lead to structural collapse. The 'Durability-Enhancing Paint for Apartment Housing' newly developed by Samhwa Paints is a paint that prevents concrete carbonation by minimizing the penetration of water and carbon dioxide into the concrete. It can be considered a high-performance product that protects the safety of residents and extends the lifespan of buildings. The Samhwa Paints product that received this certification is 'i-LUX Super Care.' Through performance verification under KS F 2584 (Standard Test Method for Accelerated Carbonation of Concrete), this product confirmed its outstanding effectiveness in preventing concrete carbonation and demonstrated concrete carbonation resistance, a key factor in building longevity. In addition, it offers enhanced weather resistance and elasticity as well as excellent waterproofing compared to water-based paints. A Samhwa Paints official explained, "Its elasticity stretches up to 1 mm—about ten times that of ordinary water-based paint—and it boasts excellent waterproofing performance, such as withstanding water pressure of about 1 bar for one hour, so that when microcracks develop in the concrete, the paint forms a protective barrier that shields the concrete." On top of this, since the new product uses the same application method and film thickness as existing water-based paints, its greatest advantage is its versatility, allowing it to be applied widely to both new and existing buildings.
Samhwa Paints stated, "i-LUX Super Care was developed using technology patented this past March and is a product that meets the Korean Industrial Standard KS M 6010 (water-based paints)," adding, "By extending the lifespan of concrete buildings, we expect it to contribute significantly to reducing the social costs of maintenance, construction waste, and carbon emissions." 02-765-3641