The basis of KEIM's mineral paints
Natural ingredients are the basis KEIM's mineral paints. The binder is a liquid potassium silicate whose structural form and hardness is akin to naturally occurring crystals, mineral fillers and inorganic color pigments. |
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Petrification
The principal of silicate paints is their petrification with the substrate. The result is a solid mineral and insoluble compound of paint and substrate (render, concrete, natural stone, etc.). The cross section through the render shows this petrification. To demonstrate this KEIM-Fixitiv (liquid potassium silicate) was pigmented.
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Water vapor permeability
The high water vapor permeability of silicate paints due to their crystalline nature ensures that any humidity that might be present in the masonry can freely pass out from the building structure. With organic paints, water trapped between the paint layer and the substrate could lead to bursting and cracking. With Keim paints, the substrate remains sound. The breathability of the building structure is maintained. Keim paints can be thought of as liquid stone.
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No fungus and algea
The pure inorganic composition of KEIM silicate paints prevents any fungi and algae growth thus assuring a hygienic and clean paint layer. Also, the absence of surface condensation gives a clean, healthy environment.
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Incombustibility
Even exposed to the flame of an oxyacetylene torch, KEIM mineral paints do not burn - unlike emulsion and other organic paints. Therefore, a substrate that is subjected to fire shows no evidence of damage. In addition, no poisonous gases are released by the coating. |
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Regulation of temperature
KEIM mineral paints have a microcrystalline structure. Light rays and thermal rays are reflected. In hot climatic regions, such as Bahrain, this reflection reduces the thermal stress on the building structure and thereby prevents the substrate from cracking. |
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Excellent light fastness
Neither harsh climate nor high UV radiation can alter the color of a KEIM paint. Redecoration in the same color shade is possible after many decades. Murals from the 19th century preserved in their original colors shows impressive evidence of this durability. The test method shown below underlines this characteristic. After being exposed to high UV radiation -- equivalent to one years natural weathering -- there is no evidence of any alteration of the color shade. |
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Resistance to acid attack
The acid test: KEIM mineral paints do not show any traces of damage when exposed to acid. The test below shows panels coated with KEIM mineral paint and a lime paint put into a solution of acid. The lime paint is completely dissolved after a short time. The alkaline silicate based KEIM paint remains unchanged even after continuous submersion. KEIM silicate paints provide an effective protection against atmospheric acid attack where sulphur and sulphuric acid might be present in the atmosphere. |
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Compatible with all mineral building materials
KEIM mineral paints are related chemically and physically with all mineral building materials. Thermal coefficients are comparable -- cracking and spalling are prevented. KEIM paints maintain the natural mineral appearance of render, concrete or stone. All application techniques ranging from translucent finishes to textured coatings can easily be carried out.
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Resistance to atmospheric polution
KEIM mineral paints are resistant to acids and are unaffected by pollution. They also protect the substrate from atmospheric pollution such as sulphuric acid attack. The silicified surface is not weakened by acid rain. |
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Environmentally harmless
KEIM mineral paints are harmless to the environment. They consist of natural mineral compounds. Among these are quartz, different feldspars and inorganic color pigments. Liquid potassium silicate is used as a binder. KEIM mineral paints represent a technique which has no deleterious effects on the environment in terms of manufacturing as well as in terms of application. Odorless, non allergic features and breathability are outstanding features of KEIM mineral paints.
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270 standard color shades
KEIM mineral paints are are available in over 270 standard historical and natural stone color shades. This makes for the most diverse, well matched color schemes possible. In addition, special color shades can be matched based on a sample provided by the client. Currently, our library consists of over 14000 such shades. Samples of the paint are stored long-term in our archives, this means that our customers can be resupplied at any time with the exact color shade which they first ordered. |
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