As an important material in the field of modern building waterproofing, silicone waterproofing agents have become an indispensable protective product in construction projects, cultural relics protection and home decoration due to their excellent waterproof performance and wide range of applications. This article will systematically introduce the four main types of silicone waterproofing agents and their chemical properties, deeply analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various products, provide scientific selection methods based on different application scenarios, and elaborate on the correct construction process and precautions. At the same time, we will also explore the market status and development trends of silicone waterproofing agents to help readers fully understand this field, so as to make wise choices in practical applications and ensure the long-term effectiveness and reliability of waterproofing projects.


Overview and core characteristics of silicone waterproofing agents
Silicone waterproofing agents are a type of functional materials with silicone compounds as the main active ingredients. Through their unique chemical structure, they interact with the substrate to form a long-lasting and effective waterproof protective layer. This type of material has an irreplaceable position in the construction field. Its application range has expanded from traditional concrete structure waterproofing to infrastructure projects such as bridges, tunnels, subways, airports, and even to cultural relics protection and home decoration. Compared with traditional asphalt-based or polymer-modified waterproofing materials, silicone waterproofing agents show significant technical advantages and market competitiveness.


The core properties of silicone waterproofing agents come from the silicon-oxygen bonds (Si-O) and organic groups (such as methyl) in their molecular structure. The silicon-oxygen bonds give the material excellent weather resistance and chemical stability, while the organic groups provide hydrophobic properties. When applied to the surface of the substrate, the silicone molecules can penetrate into the microporous structure and chemically react or physically adsorb with the hydroxyl groups (-OH) on the surface of the substrate to form a nano-scale hydrophobic film. This film does not completely block the pores of the material, but changes the surface energy of the pore wall, making it impossible for water to infiltrate and penetrate, while allowing water vapor to pass freely, achieving the dual effect of "waterproof and breathable".


From the perspective of technical performance, high-quality silicone waterproofing agents usually have the following characteristics: excellent penetration ability (up to 6-12mm depth, depending on concentration), long-lasting weather resistance (UV resistance, high and low temperature cycle resistance), good chemical stability (acid and alkali resistance, salt spray resistance) and no damage to the substrate (does not cause steel corrosion and does not affect the strength of the substrate). These characteristics make silicone waterproofing agents particularly suitable for the protection of porous inorganic materials such as concrete, stone, bricks and tiles, mortar, etc., and effectively solve a series of problems caused by water penetration, such as freeze-thaw damage, steel corrosion, and microbial growth.


With the development of construction technology and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the market demand for silicone waterproofing agents has shown a diversified growth trend. On the one hand, new construction projects have higher and higher performance requirements for waterproofing materials; on the other hand, the maintenance and renovation market for existing buildings is constantly expanding. At the same time, the popularization of the concept of green building has made low-VOC, non-toxic and harmless environmentally friendly silicone waterproofing agents more popular48. Understanding the types, characteristics and selection methods of silicone waterproofing agents has important practical value for architects, engineers, construction workers and even end users.