Novel micron-thick brick cladding of polyfluorosilicone acrylates, a case study of conservation of historic brick wall in Hongcun village

A groundbreaking micron-thick (3-5 μm) and transparent cladding technique using polyfluorosilicone acrylates has been successfully applied to restore severely eroded brick walls in Hongcun village. This innovative method, utilizing an environment-friendly dimethyl carbonate solution, adheres to the principle of 'repairing old as old,' ensuring minimal visual disruption while providing robust protection against damp, mildew, and weathering. The copolymerized resin, containing dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, permeates the brick surface to an average depth of 14.5 mm, significantly enhancing water resistance (water contact angle of 133°) and reducing water absorption from 16.1% to 2.8% after 24 hours. This approach offers a long-lasting, efficient solution for the conservation of historic brick structures.

Hao, J., Yu, L., Cui, Y., Wan, W., & Huang, J. (2021). Novel micron-thick brick cladding of polyfluorosilicone acrylates, a case study of conservation of historic brick wall in Hongcun village. RSC Advances, 11(28), 17399–17407. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ra10434e