Preserving the Past: Elemax AWB Coating at the Alamo's Ralston Family Collections Center

Ralston Family Collections Center is a museum adjacent to the historic Alamo in downtown San Antonio, featuring exhibit space, storage rooms, and maintenance workshops. Housing priceless artifacts from the time of the Alamo, it was important to select an air & water barrier coating that would assist in maintaining constant indoor temperature and humidity, as fluctuations in these conditions could affect the condition and durability of the artifacts.

Elemax™ Air & Water-Resistive Barrier (AWB) Coating was tested for adhesion to poured-in-place concrete, CMU, and sheathing, passing the requirement for all three of the project’s substrates.

Application of a continuous vapor-permeable membrane of Elemax AWB Coating helped to minimize infiltration of unconditioned air and water - preserving the interior temperature and humidity and creating a comfortable visitor experience, while maintaining conditions suitable for the preservation of historical artifacts.

Phil Collins - world-renowned musician - donated his extensive collection of Alamo artifacts to the state of Texas in 2014. This collection, comprising over 400 items—including weapons, documents, and personal effects from the 1836 Battle of the Alamo—is now housed at the Ralston Family Collections Center in San Antonio.

The project construction was a joint venture of Clark Construction and Guido Construction.

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Versatile and Efficient Application

Unlike competing solutions, Elemax AWB Coating offers a primer-less application, meaning the possibility of a single coat application to a range of substrates. This can help save the contractor significant amounts of time, labor, and materials, which helps to keep project costs and timescales down. In addition, Elemax AWB Coating can be left exposed to the elements. Partially coated sections can be finished at any time in case of project interruptions or delays.

The unique properties of silicone provide Elemax AWB Coating with an array of benefits, including:

• Long-term UV and weather resistance
• One-coat, primerless application
• Vapor-permeable and airtight
• Seamless, permanently flexible membrane will not crack or separate
• Can help to increase building energy efficiency
• Can be applied in temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C)

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Seamless Protection with Elemax Air and Water Barrier Coatings

Protect your building against damaging UV and extreme temperatures, wet weather and air infiltration with Elemax Air and Water-Resistive Barrier Coating.

By preventing the seepage of unwanted water that can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, a single coat of Elemax AWB 2600 can help improve air quality, stabilize temperature control, and reduce energy consumption. UV-resistant upon cure, Elemax AWB Coating maintains elasticity even after years of exposure to the elements.

NOTE: Performance results are those of customer reported accounts, and are not to be relied upon as typical or expected under any other circumstances. Performance results will vary depending upon a number of process-related factors. Prospective customers should rely solely upon their own evaluative techniques to determine what processing parameters are attainable and optimal to their specific needs. Further note that Momentive Performance Materials silicone products are not endorsed by or affiliated with any ownership authority of the Alamo Exhibition Hall.