Chemical functionalization of ceramic tile surfaces by silane coupling agents: polymer modified mortar adhesion mechanism implications

Alexandra Ancelmo Piscitelli Mansur,Wander Luiz Vasconcelos,Otávio Luiz Do Nascimento,Herman Sander Mansur

doi:10.1590/s1516-14392008000300011

Alexandra Ancelmo Piscitelli Mansur, Wander Luiz Vasconcelos + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-14392008000300011

Copy DOI

Abstract

Adhesion between tiles and mortars are crucial to the stability of ceramic tile systems. From the chemical point of view, weak forces such as van der Waals forces and hydrophilic interactions are expected to be developed preferably at the tiles and polymer modified Portland cement mortar interface. The main goal of this paper was to use organosilanes as primers to modify ceramic tile hydrophilic properties to improve adhesion between ceramic tiles and polymer modified mortars. Glass tile surfaces were treated with several silane derivatives bearing specific functionalities. Contact angle measurements and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for evaluating the chemical changes on the tile surface. In addition, pull-off tests were conducted to assess the effect on adhesion properties between tile and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), EVA, modified mortar. The bond strength results have clearly shown the improvement of adherence at the tile-polymer modified mortar interface, reflecting the overall balance of silane, cement and polymer interactions.

Highlights

In the construction industry, nanotechnology could potentially improve many building systems and explain some materials properties
Contact angle measurements indicated a significant difference on the hydrophilic behavior of the reference glass tile compared to those silane modified tiles
Head toward the surface, driven by the formation of strong hydrogen bonds with the glass tile hydroxyl groups. Such configuration would leave ethylene sequences exposed at the surface, providing the hydrophobic character assessed through the contact angle[23,26]

Summary

Introduction

Nanotechnology could potentially improve many building systems and explain some materials properties. The overall result of adherence between ceramic tiles and polymer modified mortars could be explained considering the nano-order structure that is developed at the interface tile/mortar[3]. Based on chemical features of EVA and ceramic tiles, predominantly the weak van der Waals forces are expected to be developed at the tile-polymer modified mortar interface. Surface modification is generally performed to modify its properties such as enhancing the interface adhesion between inorganic and organic materials. In this sense, silane coupling agents have been used for generating a hybrid (organic-inorganic) layer onto substrates[5]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion