The method consists of the formation of a layer over a stone substrate to increase its hardness, chemical resistance, wear and scratch resistance, comprising applying on the substrate a coating matrix incorporating an organic material and fillers including inorganic nanoparticles and/or microparticles; chemically binding said matrix to the substrate, by a self-assembly process and/or a binding process by covalent bonding, electrostatic bonding, van der Waals bonding or hydrogen bonds; and finally drying said matrix. The mentioned organic material is selected from organosilanes, organophosphates, polycarboxylic compounds, compounds based on triazine heterocycles and said nanoparticles are nanoparticles of oxides, carbides, borides, nitrides of metals or of semimetals.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises photocatalytic particles and an alkali metal silicate binder comprising an alkoxysilane. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved durability on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises photocatalytic particles and an alkali metal silicate binder comprising an alkoxysilane. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved durability on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Fired clay moldings are hydrophobicized by applying a long chain alkyl-substituted alkoxysilane or hydrolysate thereof having up to 5 silicon atoms, and an alkoxy-functional silicone resin. The moldings, which may be roof tiles, are hydrophobicized to a significant depth, without discoloration.

Fired clay moldings are hydrophobicized by applying a long chain alkyl-substituted alkoxysilane or hydrolysate thereof having up to 5 silicon atoms, and an alkoxy-functional silicone resin. The moldings, which may be roof tiles, are hydrophobicized to a significant depth, without discoloration.

A process for increasing the hydrophobicity of a porous product by treating the product, or a composition providing for the product, with a water repellent material, characterized in that the porous product or a composition providing the product, is treated with an aqueous suspension of microcapsules where the microcapsules comprise a water repellent organosilicon core material selected from an organosilane, a partially condensed organosilane and a branched siloxane resin, and a shell of a silicon-based network polymer comprising silica units.

A process for increasing the hydrophobicity of a porous product by treating the product, or a composition providing for the product, with a water repellent material, characterized in that the porous product or a composition providing the product, is treated with an aqueous suspension of microcapsules where the microcapsules comprise a water repellent organosilicon core material selected from an organosilane, a partially condensed organosilane and a branched siloxane resin, and a shell of a silicon-based network polymer comprising silica units.

Methods of using a curable composition, the curable composition including at least one polyether having blocked hydroxyl groups as the plasticizer on at least one alkaline substrate. The curable composition is storage-stable, easy to handle and highly elastic after curing, and does not show any tendency to separate or migrate. It enables elastic bonding, sealing or coating of alkaline substrates, such as, in particular, fresh or green concrete or cement mortar, without occurrence of troublesome odors triggered by plasticizer hydrolysis.

Methods of using a curable composition, the curable composition including at least one polyether having blocked hydroxyl groups as the plasticizer on at least one alkaline substrate. The curable composition is storage-stable, easy to handle and highly elastic after curing, and does not show any tendency to separate or migrate. It enables elastic bonding, sealing or coating of alkaline substrates, such as, in particular, fresh or green concrete or cement mortar, without occurrence of troublesome odors triggered by plasticizer hydrolysis.

The present disclosure provides for an aqueous coating composition to coat and form a film on porous construction materials to help in controlling efflorescence in the porous construction materials. The aqueous coating composition includes a binder having an acrylic polymer in an acrylic polymer waterborne dispersion, wherein the acrylic polymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 1° C. to 60° C.; and an alkoxy silane coalescing agent in a waterborne silane coalescing emulsion. The aqueous coating composition optionally further includes an additive selected from the group consisting of a pigment, a filler and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the alkoxy silane coalescing agent provides the only coalescing agent for the acrylic polymer waterborne dispersion in the aqueous coating composition.