We developed low surface energy Superhydrophobic Coatings for Composite/Concrete, SC3 which also can be used on a variety of materials including ceramics, wood, polymers, metals, alloys and composites. Earlier research work demonstrated the feasibility of using the proposed SC3 for concrete and fiber reinforced composites, for which the hydrophilic nature of the materials was converted to superhydrophobic. The SC3 combines hierarchical controlled surface roughness with micro and submicron-scale details of the morphology. The hierarchical structure is formed by hydrophobic micro/nanoparticles and fibers robustly attached to the surface. The prototype concrete link slab was placed on the UWM-EMS parking rump and tested for 2-years for environmental exposure and truck loading.
Image via UWM Report