Development of Super Water-Repellent Formwork Using Biomimetics Technology and Its Field Application
By Y. Kuroda, M. Tsujino, Y. Goryozono, H. Nishikawa, T. Okamoto and K. Tanaka
Concrete Journal, Vol.62, No.10, Oct. 2024
- Synopsis
- Using biomimetics technology, which mimics the special properties acquired by organisms through the process of evolution to adapt to harsh environments, we have developed mass production technology for super water-repellent formwork. This technology is an adaptation of the lid technology used in the yogurt packaging industry. This paper explains the theory of super water repellency and the effects obtained by using super water-repellent formwork, and presents the composition of the coatings for super water-repellent formwork (undercoat, intermediate coat, primer layer, hydrophobic layer), the materials and formulations used in the coatings, and the coating (painting) and control methods at the plywood processing plant. Additionally, it describes the effects in terms of improved concrete surface quality and productivity in an actual case where super water-repellent formwork was applied to sloped surfaces.
- Keywords:
- Biomimetics, Super water-repellent, Plywood for concrete formwork, Surface air bubbles, Color unevenness, Demoldability, Labor-saving
