Self-cleaning glass also with Zwaluw Hybriseal 2PS

Leading glass manufacturers such as Saint Gobain and Pilkington noticed a rapid increase of sales with their latest development: self-cleaning glass. The advantage of this new technology seems to be very beneficial for customers all over the world. Self-cleaning glass can, especially when applied in high storey buildings, lead to considerable labour costs savings in maintenance and cleaning. Also a good example is the application in a huge sound barrier along one of the main highways in the Netherlands (please see the news bulletin of November 2004 for further information about this project). The glass stays clean, making it look a lot better, and logically it cuts down drastically the local authority maintenance costs.

During the production process the manufacturer of self-cleaning glass applies a coating that causes the surface tension to change in such a way that rainwater, instead of small drops, forms a thin film on the glass so that pollution simply gets washed off. Because of this the frequency of manual cleaning can be reduced dramatically.

For the optimum performance of self-cleaning glass it is important that the surface tension of the coating is not altered. This must be taken into account whilst transporting and installing the glass. Contact with silicone products, silicone containing glazing sealants, glasslifters, filling rubbers can all affect the performance of the coating so that the self-cleaning functioning of the glass can be destroyed.

Den Braven Sealants is the first company to have an official approval for the application of a sealant that is tolerant with the sensitive coating. In the summer of 2003 Pilkington UK performed several tests with the Zwaluw Hybriseal 2PS and found it suitable for application on the self-cleaning glass. This result only applies for all colours of the Zwaluw Hybriseal 2PS, and not the transparent.

For the glass fitters this product offers several important advantages. Zwaluw Hybriseal 2PS one of the highest quality, universal paintable glazing sealants. The product conforms to international standards (certified by the COT according to ISO 11600-G25HM). Also the tolerance with self-cleaning glass endorses the usability of Zwaluw Hybriseal 2PS.