Long-term performance of high-reflectivity exterior panels

• Published in: Building and environment 2009-08, Vol.44 (8), p.1601-1608
• Main Authors: Ichinose, Masayuki, Inoue, Takashi, Sakamoto, Yoshihito
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Coating; Conditioning; Contaminants; Contamination; Curing; Degradation; Durability; Exact sciences and technology; Exteriors; Heat curing paint; High-reflectivity paint; Materials; Near-infrared; Paints; Paints and renderings. Protection products; Panels; Performance enhancement; Photocatalysis; Photocatalyst coating; Precipitation; Protective coatings; Reflectivity; Spectral reflectivity; Ultraviolet
• ISSN: 0360-1323; 1873-684X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.10.003

Paint performance was assessed over time with respect to surface contamination and degradation of reflectivity through environmental exposure tests. Test panels were coated with high-reflectivity or conventional paints. One set of test panels was coated with high-reflectivity paint on site or in-factory at the manufacturing stage by a newly developed heat curing paint method. Following environmental exposure, this heat curing paint method was evaluated for its long-term performance in thermal conditioning, and durability, as well as for possible performance enhancement with the addition of a photocatalyst. Solar reflectivity of the panels was degraded by exposure to ultraviolet light, adhesion of airborne contaminants, and exposure to high temperatures and precipitation. Newly developed high-reflectivity heat curing paint was just as durable as conventional heat curing paint. In addition, panels coated with a photocatalyst in-factory achieved a high level of solar reflectivity for a longer period compared to panels coated with conventional paint in-factory and high-reflectivity paint on site.