Top Performance For The Facade

2023 Author: Hannah Pearcy | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39

In terms of facade protection, Caparol presents the latest state-of-the-art technology with the nano-quartz grid technology NQG³.

We have consistently developed the nano-quartz grid technology (NQG). Intelligent moisture management enables the facade to dry even faster,”said Caparol Product Management Manager Wolfgang Hoffmann at BAU 2017 in Munich. NQG³ ensures that facades stay clean longer, that algae and fungi have little chance and that the color remains long-term.

The introduction of the Caparol Clean Concept 2003 paved the way for a new standard in the facade area. For the first time, we spoke of “nano technology”. The focus was on long-term cleanliness due to reduced dirt build-up. Since 2007, the Nano Quartz Grid (NQG) technology has set new standards in facade protection. The NQG product range is characterized by long-lasting cleanliness, color brilliance and a mineral character.

The proven NQG technology is based on a hard surface that does not tend to thermoplasticity (softening) and does not soften even in extreme heat (e.g. in high summer). This prevents contamination by sticking dirt particles, fine dust and spores. Anything that remains on the facades for a short time will be washed off when the next rain hits. Swelling of the binder is avoided, protective function and color brilliance are retained.

With the nano-quartz-lattice technology, nanoscale silicate particles are firmly and inseparably connected to the remaining binder particles during the production of the organic binder. This results in a stable binder structure with inorganic pigments, which ensures longer color stability.

Now there is a new generation of NQG with an improved formulation and even faster drying. The drying time of the facade is a decisive factor, especially for minimizing algae and fungal attack.

Fig.1: Moisture is distributed on the surface and is only partially absorbed

The "capillary-hydroactive" drying management of the NQG³ paint works as follows: moisture is distributed on the surface and is largely kept away from the facade (Fig. 1). At the same time, water vapor can escape and the moisture evaporates on the surface (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

The surface structure of NQG facade paints enables a more even distribution of weather-related moisture. This effect leads to faster evaporation, since moisture cannot accumulate. Capillary hydrophobicity ensures that moisture is largely kept away from plaster and masonry and the conditions for microbial infestation are significantly deteriorated (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

During the development of the NQG³ technology, comparative tests were carried out compared to the high-quality facade paints available on the market (without nano-quartz grids). Because the declared claim is to prove the product promise "even faster drying". This aspect is particularly important to avoid algae and fungal attack.

Fig. 4

In order to substantiate the effect, laboratory tests were first developed with specially developed measuring systems, in which NQG³ showed a drying rate of 30 percent faster after intensive irrigation compared to the comparison colors (Fig. 4). This was measured and visualized spectroscopically using a special infrared camera (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7

The darker the color, the more moisture there is on the surface. On larger, plastered test panels, the difference was clearly visible even without measuring devices (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5

With innovative ideas, Caparol research has once again initiated a decisive technical advance. So now you are able to

Visualize and contain the main cause of the algae and fungal infestation. This is a milestone towards more sustainable facade coatings according to the motto - longer clean x faster dry

x longer beautiful.