Enhancement of Frost Durability by Modification of Internal Surface of Clay Roofing Tiles

Abstract

The possibility of surface modification of a hydrophilic hydroxy group on silica surface to a hydrophobic butoxy group was investigated on clay roofing tile specimens, and the enhancement in frost durability was experimentally confirmed. The internal surface modification was undertaken by reflux-boiling of rectangular shaped specimens (2.5cm×2.5cm, 1.8cm in thickness) in pure n-butanol for 24 hours. The formation of butoxy group on the internal surface of clay roofing tiles was experimentally confirmed by comparing IR spectra and water absorption between surface-modified and non-modified specimens of clay roofing tiles. The surface modification enhanced the frost durability of clay roofing tiles.