Editor s Note

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

Murgesh Bhustali

Dear Friend,
MUMBAI
Ramkrishna Mandir Road, P.O.Box No.17411,
Andheri (East) MUMBAI - 400 059.
Ph : (022) 2835 7194
Fax : (022) 56916377
AHMEDABAD
Paritosh 4th Floor, Near Darpan Academy,
Usmanpura, AHMEDABAD - 380 013
Ph : (079) 27552043 / 27551483 / 27552152
Fax : (079) 27550727
BANGALORE
H.V.S. Apartments, Edward Road, BANGALORE - 560 052.
Ph : (080) 22264811/ 22263975 /
22204238 / 22204239 / 22280789 / 22280790
Fax : (080) 22281579
CHENNAI
306 (Old No. 244), Llyods Road, Gopalpuram,
CHENNAI-600 086.
Ph : (044) 28350338 / 1614 / 0745
Fax : (044) 2835 1626
COCHIN
Ellikkal Estate, N.H. 47, Pathadipalam,
Edappally P.O, Ernakulam, , Cochin - 682 024.
Ph : (0484) 2551998 / 2543978 / 2543979
Fax : (0484) 2541997
DELHI
6th Floor, Vikas Deep, Laxmi Nagar, District Centre,
Vikas Marg, DELHI - 110 092
Ph : (011) 22440890, 22541970
Fax : (011) 22422916, 22500720
HYDERABAD
Sunrise Apartment, Flat No.101,102 & 103,
183, Dwarkapuri Colony,
Panjagutta, HYDERABAD - 500 082.
Ph : (040) 23351250/ 23351308/ 23352385
Fax : (040) 2335 2387
KOLKATA
Everest House, 10th Floor, 46/ C, Chowringhee Road,
KOLKATA - 700 071.
Ph : (033) 22888844
Fax : (033) 22881701

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

This year Maharashtra experienced unprecedented rainfall and on the 26th of July.
Mumbai had the heaviest downpour of the century. Innumerable buildings have
experienced seepage and leakage. Even new buildings have been affected. Had
preventive waterproofing been done, the expensive repair costs would have been
minimized.
In this issue of Building Blocks, our cover story focuses on exterior protective coatings
for walls. Mr. I. Verghese Head R&D (coatings) Pidilite Industries limited, in his article
focuses on crack-bridging ability of elastomeric coatings and the long-term protection
of the walls.
Dr. Dien Pandiman, a reputed chartered-chemist and a reputed Scientist of Singapore,
has written an article on external coating, which provides waterproofing as well as
heat-insulation.
This issue onwards, we have started a new column called ASK THE EXPERT. We have
received lots of queries from readers. Our experts will answer the common questions
related to waterproofing and repairs of structures.
In other regular columns, we have highlighted our recent initiatives like new product
launches, the opening of Dr. Fixit Centres and Shopees. We are also laying out the
schedule of various types of training programmes for engineers, architects,
contractors and dealers.
We hope you find this issue informative and interesting. Do keep writing in your
valuable feedback and suggestions.

Murgesh Bhustali
Head - Training
Construction Chemicals Division
Pidilite Industries Ltd.

Previous Issue

The previous issue of Building Blocks carried articles on Rising Dampness and
Crystalline Waterproofing contributed by Rajesh Singh and S P Mahadik respectively.
It also featured an advanced roof waterproofing technology.

Some encouraging responses ...

"The periodical you are publishing will be useful to our members" - E.M.M. Narayanan
Namboodiri (LENSFED, Palakkad)
"I found the issue very useful to the construction industry" - R.K. Rahalkar (Architect,
Pune)
"The information given is very useful and will guide the field staff to choose right
materials, and carry out the work more professionally. I congratulate you on this
venture" - K.P. Baney (Devi Construction Co., Pune)
"We find Building Blocks to be highly informative and very practical. Your latest issue
focusing on rising dampness was very good" - S.W. Panandiker (Goa)

Contents
1

FROM THE COVER

- Elastomeric exterior wall
coating - a new approach for
protection of masonry
- The revolutionary system :
Heat insulated coatings

NEWS
Training Programmes Inauguration
of Dr. Fixit Shopps & Centres,
Training programmes organised,
Exhibitions particated and
some projects undertaken recently

ASK THE EXPERT

You ask your doubts,
we will clarify them

From the Cover

Waterproofing coating for external walls
By I. Varghese, Head R&D

he yo-yo, a simple toy held

together by elastic that defies
the stress put on it and recoils back
to its original size. In the same way our building exteriors are subject to
stress day in and day out. Concrete and mortar that our buildings are
constructed is not as flexible as the yo-yo elastic. Affected by thermal
changes, wall expands by heat of sun and contract by night. Thermal &
mechanical vibratory movements, over a period of time cause stress and
tension within wall construction and on its paint coating, resulting in
lesions and cracks. Conventionally exterior wall surfaces are painted with
cement paint or acrylic paint, which have no crack-bridging ability.
(Coatings), Pidilite

Unfortunately, conventional re-painting can only disguise the problem

temporarily, before these thermal movements take their toll again and
expose the cracks. Thus the building looks unkempt and run down, also
making the interior wall susceptible to seepage and moisture and the
entire masonry open to deterioration.

cracks in a masonry surface can lead to the equivalent damage that a

very large hole in the surface could cause. The most severe damage is
caused by water seepage and resultant concrete deterioration.
Conventional Coatings cannot accommodate crack movement:
Conventional Coating

Thin coat of exterior paints

Hairline cracks on the exterior

surface

Leakage on the interior wall

Elastomeric Coating DR. FIXIT PROOFCOTE ELASTOMERIC

Elastomeric Wall Coating: Its definition

Elastomeric Wall coatings (EWCs) are both functional as well as
decorative, used as a barrier to liquid water and carbon dioxide gas,
permeable to water vapour (breathable), be able to accommodate
movement in substrate and bridge both existing cracks and cracks that
can appear after application, be able to maintain flexibility and strength
over a broad temperature range, resist dirt pick up and fungal/algal
growth, and maintain these properties for periods of up to 10 years.
EWC are not applied in the same way as conventional paints, since dry
film thickness necessary is 100 - 250 m (depending
upon severity of problem) which is much
more than 60 - 80 m of conventional
FLEXIBLE
paint film.
In order for a coating to qualify as
Elastomeric, the binder must be an
elastomer.
Natural rubber is best known Elastomer.
An elastomer's characteristics above its Tg (Glass transition
Temperature) are:
Able to stretch and retract rapidly (resilient)
Possesses adequate modulus of elasticity and tensile strength when
stretched
It is quiet possible to develop a polymer binder, which give excellent
elongation properties but very poor tensile strength to enable it to
retract.
Crack Bridging Ability

Crack bridging ability is one of the most important characteristics of an

EWC. Cracked coating looses their properties. A large number of small

3 times thicker coat of

DR. FIXIT PROOFCOTE ELASTOMERIC

Bridges hairline cracks on the

exterior surface

No leakage on the interior wall

Micro cracks (hairline cracks) generally do not extend through the

structure and are least important; nevertheless they are visually
undesirable and if left unattended could lead to surface spalling of the
concrete. Important concern is structural cracks, which may extend
through the wall and into the reinforcement. Once air and acid containing
moisture (CO2 + Water) have access to exposed rebar, considerable
damage can occur. Expansion joints may also be present to
accommodate the movement of large areas of masonry surface. Such
joints after filling with appropriate sealants can be coated with an EWC.
Crack bridging of an EWC depends upon:
% Elongation at break and tensile strength properties of the Coating
Film thickness of an EWC
Thus, an EWC coating resistance to forthcoming crack width (i.e. how
much crack width it can tolerate before failure) is directly proportional to
the dry film thickness. Since volume of the coating over a new crack is
unchanged from the pre-crack condition, a dramatic drop of dry film
thickness will occur and necking will occur until tensile strength failure
occurs.
Hence calculations have proved that to bridge a 1mm crack a minimum
film thickness of 100 m and for a 2 mm crack a film thickness of 250m
is essential.
Elastomeric Wall Coating
Elastomeric Wall Coating is eco-friendly water based self cross-linked
elastomeric acrylic protective coating offering excellent dirt pick up
resistance, water proofing and crack bridging capabilities, It is highly

From the Cover

Waterproofing coating for external walls
durable against ultra violet (UV) radiation offering long lasting colour
fastness and flexibility, and provides at least 5 years protection against
algae and fungus growth.
Primer for EWC: The performance of EWC increases when a special
water-based primer on 'nano-particle' size emulsion polymer binder is
used before application of EWC. This special primer penetrate deep into
the pores of substrate, thus preventing the movement of alkali/salts
(giving improved alkaline and efflorescence resistance) as well as
providing better bonding strength for EWC on to the substrate.
SS 500: 2002 specification requirements for Elastomeric Wall Coatings
are:
3-coats system with DFT up to 250 microns
Wet scrub resistance up to 3,000 cycles
Flexibility with minimum 100% elongation
2
Tensile strength = 1.5 N/mm (min)
Dirt pick up with min Dc = 95(a) & 92(b)Breathable with W.V.T = 80
2
g/m /24hrs
2
Adhesion strength = 4 A or 0.5 N/mm (min)
Alkali & efflorescence resistance
UV & algae resistance
Elastomeric Wall Coating features are:
Capability of accommodating substrate movement associated with
thermal variations (excellent crack bridging capability upto 2mm)
Permanently flexible against UV exposure, very high elasticity, yet
excellent recovery after elongation.
Excellent adhesion & alkali resistance to withstand damp conditions
Impermeable to wind driven rain
Long lasting protection against algae, fungus and bacteria
Flexible yet resistant to dirt pick-up.
BEFORE

AFTER

Site: Sulia Cinema Theatre,

Mangalore, Karnataka

Typical Technical data of Elastomeric Wall Coating:

Solid content
: More than 60% w/w
Weight per litre
: 1.30 - 1.35 kg/l
Viscosity
: 90 - 105 KU at 30C
2
Adhesion strength
: EXCELLENT - 5A rating (1.5N/mm )
Crack Bridging capability : PASSED - more than 2mm width
Elongation
: More than 200%
2
Tensile strength
: 2.6 N/mm
Wet scrub resistance
: No paint film detachment after 3000
cycles
Accelerated Weathering : Passed - no defects after 2000 hrs
exposure
Algae & Fungus resistance : Passes - No growth
2
Water Vapour Transmission : More than 100 g/m . day
2
Water Absorption
: Less than 95 g/mm . day
Efflorescence resistance : PASSED - No blistering
Dirt pick Up resistance
: EXCELLENT
Before Washing - 96 Dc index
After Washing - 97 Dc Index
Excellent barrier & breathability properties.
Easily applied by brush, roller or airless spray.
Site Supervision, Monitoring & Testing:
Despite any Elastomeric Wall Coating product's performance
requirements and testing endorsed by Accredited Laboratory, it is
IMPORTANT to conduct site supervision, monitoring and testing,
BEFORE, DURING & AFTER, painting.
These monitoring & testing would minimize and/or deter any malpractice
on site, such as:
1. No proper surface preparation - NO CLEANING & TREATMENT !
2. Over dilution i.e. USE less paint
3. Use cheap paint as a body/undercoat
4. Apply less number of coat required
5. Omit primer or sealer coat required
6. Use of Interior Paint instead of Exterior Paint for external walls
Or mix Interior Paint with Exterior Paint.
True Elastomeric wall coating are a proven approach to a long-term
protection of concrete surfaces. They are protective as well as
decorative and are the coating of the future. The only thing we caution
you on is to ensure that you are getting a true elastomer and not just
pick a thick paint.
Decorative paint does not have Waterproofing & Crack Bridging
properties.
Elastomeric Wall Coating Protects, Waterproofs and Beautifies External
Walls.
5

From the Cover

The revolutionary system : Heat insulated coatings
By Dr. Dien Pandiman
(A Chartered Chemist and Chartered Scientist
of Royal Society of Chemistry, England, United Kingdom)
Dr. Dien Pandiman, Ph.D, C.Sci., C.Chem. MRSC, MSNIC
Technical Director of CHEMSON ASIA PTE. LTD, SINGAPORE

Dr. Pandiman is a
polymer chemist
and scientist graduated from United Kingdom, and he has a vast
experience in paint & coating materials of over
8 years. He is a Council Member of Singapore
National Institute of Chemistry, and serves as a
Technical Committee Member of Surface Coating
of SPRING Singapore. He also serves as a
Technical Assessor/Exper t for Singapore
Accreditation Council-Singapore Laboratory
Accreditation Scheme (SAC-SINGLAS) for
technical auditing in various independent
laboratories in Singapore. He also enjoys giving
public lectures, trainings and seminars on paint and coating subjects.
Introduction
Water-borne or the socalled emulsion paints
have been widely
used to beautify or
decor ate houses,
b u n g a l o w s ,
apar tments,
condominiums and
office buildings
internally and
exter nally for the
aesthetic point of view, as well as to protect them from the aggression
of wind-driven rain, heat, ultra-violet (UV) radiation, and micro-organism
attack on the surface of the buildings. Paints used for the internal
purposes are less susceptible to such conditions as compared to those
for external applications, i.e. exterior paints and coatings.
Exterior paint coating materials are specifically designed to withstand an
extremely harsh outdoor condition and environment to keep surfaces of
a building clean, sound and prolong a life span of the building. Premium
quality exterior paint must contain highly durable polymer binder, true
reflective pigment, UV-heat stable colour pigment(s), and excellent
biocides with a slow leaching rate profile in order to keep the surfaces of
the building out of troubles for up to 8-10 years. The exterior paint
coating can be based on either hard polymer binder or soft or
flexible polymer, or a combination of both depending on the demands
and applications.
6

In Singapore, National Standards for Surface Coatings are governed by

SPRING Singapore, and the standards specifying exterior paint coatings
on flat or smooth walls are Singapore Standard (SS 345:1999)
Specification for Algae Resistance Emulsion Paint for Decorative
Purposes and Singapore Standard (SS 500:2002) Specification for
Elastomeric Wall Coating. However, these exterior paint coatings do not
address concerns on Heat Transfer from the external sources into the
inside of a building
This article will illustrate and provide an insight information on how an
Elastomeric Heat Insulation Paint Coating can be an answer to
reader's quests and search for a water-borne paint coating material that
can resists and/or prevents heat transferring from the walls and roofs
resulting in a Cooler Building.
Modes of Heat Transfer Mechanism
Basically, there are three (3) mechanisms involved in heat transfer into
buildings as follows:
1. Radiation
Energy from the sun is transferred through electromagnetic waves, and
converted to heat when it strikes a solid surface. This sun radiation is
the largest source of
heat gain in a
building. In this case,
by r e f l e c t i n g o r
repelling the heat to
the surrounding is the
most effective way to
prevent the heat
coming into or leaving
a building. However,
there is no paint
coating material that can reflect or repel heat 100% back to its source.
2. Conduction
After the sun radiation is converted to heat / energy on solid surface of
a substrate, the heat / energy is then transferred through the enclosing
thickness of walls and/or roofs. In this mechanism, a good insulation
material (such as Styrofoam, fibreglass and ceramic) or heat insulation
paint coating with low thermal conductivity value (k-Value) or high
thermal resistivity (R-Value) can resist the heat transfer from the hottest
surface to the cooler side.
3. Convection
After part of the heat/energy has managed to penetrate through the
building walls & roofs (i.e. from the hottest surfaces to the cooler sides),
the heat absorbed is finally transferred the movement of air inside the

From the Cover

The revolutionary system : Heat insulated coatings
buildings. The indoor air now becomes warmer and even hotter to
occupants that contributes to higher energy bill to operate air
conditioner units to cool down the rooms
Better Understanding On Thermal Conductivity Value, k
In a Technical Specifications for Waterproofing and Heat Insulation
Materials, it stated that the acceptable requirement for insulation
property of the thermal conductivity, k value, is 0.000345 W/m.K for a
0
temperature reduction of 3 C at head room temperature based on
minimal 2 coats (of heat insulation material)
The first question to ask ourselves or challenge someone from the
above specification is Can a heat insulation coating with 2 coats (of
about 400-500 microns dry film thickness) posses such a low thermal
conductivity, k value, of 0.000345 W/m.K ? The answer is a big NO, and
it is impossible and beyond imagination for a coating! The next question
should be asked is that does it require such low k value just to reduce 3
0
C at head room temperature, and does the person who wrote the
specification understand clearly the mechanism of heat transfer or does
he/she just simply cut and paste from an unreliable source?

ASTM E 1461 Standard Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity and ASTM
E 1269 Standard Test Method for Specific Heat:
1. The SUPPER THERM coating of about 400 microns (15 mils) was
applied on a metal plate, and its thermal conductivity, k value
obtained was 0.543 0.650 W/m.K
2. This thermal conductivity k value is called Actual and True value
of the coating itself regardless the thickness of the
coating.Illustrative Drying Process of Liquid Applied Elastomeric
Heat Insulation Paint Coating
Illustrative drying process of liquid applied elastomeric heat insulation
Paint Coating

To understand the real & actual thermal conductivity value of a

coating better and clearly, we must first know what test methods used
for the testing, such as ASTM C 518, ASTM C177, ASTM C 236, ASTM
E 1461 or ASTM E 1269, etc., and then how the tests are being
carried out in the laboratory. Different test methods and modes of
testing will definitely produce different results of k values. For
example, the published thermal conductivity value of a so-called
SUPER THERM Ceramic Heat Insulation Coating shows two
distinctive k values by different test methods, as follows:
ASTM C 236 Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal
Performance of Building Assemblies by Means of a Guarded Hot Box:
1. The high density of fibreglass of 3 inch thick was used as the
control material, and its thermal conductivity k value obtained
was 0.075 W/m.K
2. The SUPPER THERM coating of about 250 microns (10 mils) was
applied on the hot side of the fibreglass board, and its
Equivalent Thermal Conductivity, ke value obtained was 0.045
W/m.K
3. This test shows the improvement of 40% heat reduction from the
hot side (i.e. heat source) of the control fibreglass board, and
its ke value is called Effective value of the entire system (3 inch
of fibreglass board plus 250 microns thick of SUPER THERM
coating)

Product Features
A hi-end Elastomeric Heat Insulation Exterior Paint Coating should offer
many benefits to solve Inherent and Classic Problems on Hot
Buildings, as follows:
Heat Insulation Energy Saving
Good Noise Reduction Sound Barrier
Prevent or Reduce Condensation on Cold-Surfaces
Reduce Thermal Expansion and Contraction
Waterproof & Breathable
Permanent Flexibility
Excellent UV and Infrared Resistance
Long Lasting Against Algae and Fungus Resistance
Excellent Alkali and Efflorescence Resistance
Low Maintenance Cost and High Durability
Corrosion Resistance
Non-Toxic Water Based System
7

Ask the expert

You ask your doubts, will clarify them
1

On applying Dr. Fixit Pidicrete URP to bricks on vertical walls, it is difficult for a mason to plaster after 30 minutes of application of 2nd coat. How
can this be addressed?
Ans. Never apply Dr. Fixit URP or Dr. Fixit URP + cement on bricks, as an attempt to waterproof the brickwork. If one wants to waterproofing the
masonry, the best thing is to:
? Achieve a SSD conditions to the bricks, as in regular practice for ordinary plastering
? The first coat of plaster can be applied using Dr. Fixit URP in neat form (as an admixture, i.e. by adding Dr. Fixit URP to water first and then
stirring. Water must be mixed in the ratio 20 22 litres : 50 kg bag)
? Scratch-key the 1st coat after the plastering is over-this will give a key to the 2nd coat
? The 2nd coat must not be mixed with Dr. Fixit URP. Instead Dr. Fixit LW can be mixed with a controlled w/c ratio of 20 - 22 litres / bag of cement
2.

On what specific variety of stones water repellent(Dr. Fixit Repellin WR) can be applied? Although it is designed for application on cement-based
paint, appearance of dark stains and colour fading observed.
Ans. Dr. Fixit Repellin WR is a silicone based liquid and hence reacts with the silica in the stone or concrete surfaces. One can
try to scrape of the salts appearing on the surface, and re-apply the Dr. Fixit Repellin WR in that place only. There is no
remedy actually for the occurrence, as it is always on a case-to-case basis. This is true for all silicone based water
repellents
3 What is the remedy for salt petre (shora)
Ans. It depends on what substrate the phenomenon occurs. The salts are due to the reaction between water and salts present in the sand or bricks
naturally. It is called as efflorescence. The place can be scraped thoroughly and apply a water repellant / water thinnable epoxy based coating
like Dr. Fixit Dampguard or an acrylic coating
4. What is the Tack free time for Acrylic polymer like Dr. Fixit Pidicrete MPB ?
Ans. Tack-free time of Dr. Fixit Pidicrete MPB when applied neat can be upto even 30 minutes at 27-30 deg C. If mixed with cement, it will reduce
depending on the heat of hydration in cement, say 15-20 minutes. As a bond coat to concrete it can be applied neat & as a bond coat to plaster,
it can be mixed with cement in a proportion of 1 : 1.5 by volume. Further over-application ( in both cases) must be done when the bond coat
application is tacky ( Tacky means, that the coat is sticky to the finger but does not wet the fingers)

Applicator training programmes organised recently by Dr. Fixit Institute

Level 1 Programme, Chennai

Level 1 Programme, Mudurai

Level 1 Programme, Bangalore

Level-1 Programme, Vijaywada

Level 1 Programme, Hubli

Programme at Hyderabad

Programme at Chandigarh

Programme on waterproofing &

repair techniques, Chennai

Programme conducted with Coimbatore

Institute of Technology, Coimbatore

Programme on waterproofing & maintenance of

structure conducted jointly by Dr. Fixit Institute &
Indian Concrete Institute

News
Dr. Fixit Centres Dr. Fixit SHOPPs Some of our recent projects Exhibitions participated

Dr. Fixit Centres inaugurated

M/s. H.M. Ali Mohd. Abdul Ali, Kota

Tel: 94123 00978

Exhibitions participated

Padippura Home Exhibition,

Trivandrum

Design World 2005, Trivandrum

M/s. Heritage World, Patiala

Tel: 9814067703

Dr. Fixit SHOPPs inaugurated

M/s. Woodland Associates,

Perambra, Calicut

M/s. Hi-Tech Builders,

Vadakara, Calicut

Space Marketing, Shajapur, Indore

Some of our recent projects

Site: Haveli Jhalara Patan, Kota

Product used: Dr. Fixit Pidifin 2K

Site: Mr. Kothari's Bungalow,

Mumbai
Product used: Dr. Fixit Proofcote
Elastomeric for waterproofing &
paint coating

Site: Kamleshwar Textile Mills,

Nagpur
Applicator: Yashashvi
Waterproofing Engineers
Product used:
Dr. Fixit Torchshield (4 mm)

Site: Sulia Theatre, Mangalore

Product used:
Dr. Fixit Proofcote Elastomeric

News
Training programmes organised

For Applicators

Calicut

Calicut

Gurgaon

Hissar

Patna

Noida

Agartala

Chandigarh

Cochin

Gulbarga

Kathiar

For Contractors

Ludhiana

For Civil Contractors

10

Trichur

Navi Mumbai

Chandigarh

News
Training programmes organised

For Masons

Alleppey

Bellary

Bellary

Calicut

Chandigarh

Gadag-Hubli

Gulbarga

Ernakulam

Mangalore

Mysore

Mahe

Mandya

Seminars

Training on Dr. Fixit Pidifin 2K & Crack-X

held with M/s. H.M. Ali Mohd. Abdul Ali, Kota

Seminar on Waterproofing,
Jammu, NIFD

Technical Meet on Waterproofing & Repairs,

Kolhapur held with M/s. Pranjal Enterprise

11