Low-Cost Self-Cleaning Concrete and Stone Surfaces

Low-Cost Self-Cleaning Concrete and Stone Surfaces K. Cyrus Robinson armONx 1 June 2009

Introduction • Concrete (or stone) is often used aesthetically, but is: • Porous • Liquids penetrate and persist • Mold, fungi • Likely to stain deeply • Difficult to clean • Dirty Surfaces are Ugly armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Introduction • Can we keep it clean? • Concrete is everywhere • and easy to stain… armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Introduction • Stains (oils, foods, etc.) may spoil clean pavers’ appearance armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Introduction • Roof tiles often become infested with mold armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Introduction • Some walls have had permanent ink dashed on them armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Introduction • Good appearance requires care to maintain • Pressure washing poured concrete • Does not remove deep stains • Replacing pavers/stone • Takes some skill • Must be done each time these are stained • Must keep extra pavers/stone, perhaps for years • Pressure washing roof tiles (mold, fungi) • Ladders; risk - cost armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Introduction • Firstly, could we modify the porous surface of these materials to make it less permeable? • Secondly, could it “take care of itself,” help keepitselfclean to minimize maintenance? • Could the surface spontaneously remove new soils, or “self-clean?” armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Introduction: Use a Sealer? • Many Sealers available: armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Introduction: Use a sealer? • Note, no existing sealers are “Self-Cleaning” • Is this dual “Self-Cleaning”/Sealing action obtainable? • At a reasonable cost? • With a single, durable application? armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Solution • Our treatment makes these materials persistently self-cleaning, with the natural action of the elements • Low cost (cents/sqft) • Durable • Not a film or membrane - cannot bubble, crack or delaminate • No significant change in appearance, nor slippery when wet armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data: Test Method • Treat concrete pavers, poured concrete and stone of variable quality & color • Drip same volume of usedengine oil onto treated and untreated samples • According to EPA, oil is: slow to degrade, insoluble, hazardous, contains heavy metals • Document stain removal effectiveness and cost armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • 6” x 6” Paver divided into four quadrants Oil drops No protection Firstly: Later: Finally: One coat Two coats Clear in two weeks’ time Oil does not penetrate; it spreads out armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data No protection • Pavers (pictures taken before oil faded completely) Two coats One coat Depending on the material, two coats may work faster than one No protection Oil spreads Two coats One coat armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Stone - Travertine Stained Treated 3 areas Four Oil spots Clear, less than 10 days armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Sand between pavers or stone • Stabilized (cemented) • Rain does not dislodge • Weed germination impeded • Less weed killers … armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Poured Concrete Untreated Treated (one coat) Two weeks elapsed armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Fading of Permanent Marker ink • “Accelerated weathering,” tough, opaque pigments erode & flake off faster Twenty Day Exposure Untreated; little change Day 20 Day 0 Treated; about 10% faded armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Fading of Permanent Marker ink (cont’d) • Standard cleaning works better on treated, impermeable surface; self-cleaning effect continues Degreaser & detergent used Day 0 Day 20 Remainder self-cleans Much ink removed armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Flexible schedule to clean treated surfaces: • Rinse off organics with water (within hours) • Use standard cleaners (within days) • Self-cleaning (within weeks) armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Quick drying surface • Limits mold, fungi Untreated Still Wet 10 minutes Wet Surface Treated Dry armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Moldy decorative concrete curbing • Manually removed fungal growth (1”x2”) • After two months’ hot, rainy season - no mold Painter’s tape Manually cleaned off mold, then treated Months pass, no mold Moldy area armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Roof Tile application • Dual action discourages fungal growth: • Moisture quickly dries • Surface actively breaks down organics armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Lower Quality materials perform like Higher Quality • Subsurface durably modified at the molecular level armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • Example: Paver • Porous, lower-quality concrete paver with transmission oil pooled in the center • Oil gone from treated area Twenty Day Exposure in Partial Shade Untreated Area Treated Area armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Data • What if the surface already has soaked-in, months-old organic contamination? • Prepare surface as instructed, then treat • Treatment fades existing stains in driveway below (~1’ x 2’), as well as new stains Day 28 Day 0 Day 10 More new stains New stain New stain fading Experiment is ongoing. armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

ConclusionThis Patent Pending Treatment: • Is easy to use • Does not change the appearance of the surface or make it slippery when wet • Makes the surface durably impermeable • impedes stain or moisture penetration, as well as efflorescence • permits vapor transmission armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

ConclusionThis Patent Pending Treatment: • Is not a film or membrane • cannot delaminate, crack or wear off independently of the surface • Gently works on driveways and parking lots (engine oil), inks (graffiti), etc. • Is effective on roof tiles, discouraging fungal growth armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

ConclusionThis Patent Pending Treatment: • Stabilizes (cements) the sand between pavers or stone and inhibits weeds from germinating • Makes standard cleaning easier, since soils do not penetrate • Contains zero VOC’s • Uses safer ingredients of proven reliability armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Conclusion • Questions: • Contact: • K Cyrus Robinson • cyrus@armONx.com • 610.704.8795 armONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions

Low-Cost Self-Cleaning Concrete and Stone Surfaces