A Brief History of Silicone Roof Coatings

"The Evolution of Silicone Roof Coatings: From the World's Fair to the Global Market"

Silicone rubber was first discovered by a scientist named Frederic Kipping in the early 1900s. It was originally created as a synthetic alternative to natural rubber, which was in high demand at the time. Over the next few decades, scientists continued to develop silicone rubber and its properties, leading to its widespread use in a variety of industries, including construction, automotive, and healthcare.

One of the key factors that helped to drive the development of silicone rubber was its unique properties, such as its heat and weather resistance, high elasticity, and low toxicity. These properties made it ideal for use in a range of applications, including seals, gaskets, and electrical insulators.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the use of silicone rubber in the construction industry began to grow, as it was discovered to be a highly effective roof coating material. This led to the development of silicone roof coatings, which offered a number of benefits over traditional roofing materials, including improved durability, UV resistance, and energy efficiency.

The Early Days of Silicone Roof Coatings

The first silicone roof coating was invented by scientists at GE in 1965. This new type of roof coating offered a number of advantages over traditional petroleum-based coatings, including improved durability, UV resistance, and weathering resistance. Additionally, silicone coatings were able to maintain their elasticity and flexibility, making them well-suited for use on roofs that were prone to movement and expansion.

Silicone roof coatings have come a long way since their introduction in the 1960s, when they were first installed at the World's Fair in New York after scientists at General Electric (GE) developed the basic product. Today, silicone roof coatings  are even more advanced and are a popular choice for building owners around the world, offering a durable and energy-efficient solution for protecting and extending the life of roofing systems. But how did these coatings evolve, and what was the role of R. Müller and E.G. Rochow at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research?

The Work of R. Müller and E.G. Rochow

As the popularity of silicone roof coatings grew, researchers at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, including R. Müller and E.G. Rochow, continued to push the boundaries of what was possible with these coatings. Through their research, they were able to improve the performance and durability of silicone products, making them even more effective at protecting buildings from the elements. They were also responsible for creating a method for manufacturing silicone polymer on a large scale, making it more commercially viable. 

Since the early 1980s, silicone roof coatings have evolved to overcome some of its previous challenges, namely it's toxic components and limited applications. Oxime silicones and Alkoxy silicones, the most common silicone formulations available today, each have their strengths and unique characteristics. 

Growing Global Demand

As the global demand for energy-efficient building systems grew, so too did the demand for silicone roof coatings. These coatings offered a reflective surface that could reflect the sun's heat, reducing the amount of energy needed to cool buildings. In addition, silicone coatings were able to provide long-lasting protection, even in harsh climates and extreme weather conditions. Silicone does not lose thickness, flexibility or adhesion over time, making it an ideal choice for a weatherproofing product.

The Global Market for Roof Coatings

The global market for roof coatings was worth $7.7 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 6.5% between 2019 and 2026. Silicone stands out as the fastest growing roof coating segment. This growth is driven by a number of factors, including increased investment in energy-efficient building systems, growth in the construction industry, education about the unique protective qualities of silicone and growing awareness of the environmental benefits of sustainable roofing solutions.

Conclusion

Silicone roof coatings have come a long way since their introduction in 1965, when they were first installed at the World's Fair in New York. Through the work of researchers like R. Müller and E.G. Rochow at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, along with countless chemists, engineers and formulators from many different manufacturers, silicone roof coatings have continued to evolve and improve, becoming a popular choice for building owners around the world. With growing global demand for energy-efficient and sustainable roofing solutions, the future of silicone roof coatings holds a unique place in the roof coating market.