Paints:
Consists of 3 components :
Pigment :Binder , Vehicle or Resin :Solvent :-
Pigment :- A pigment is used in the colouring of paint, ink, plastic, fabric and other material. It
is a dry colorant, usually an insoluble powder. The majority of paints have a white pigment base
with other pigments added to provide the desired colour. Pigments are not only used for adding
colour to the coating, they are also used to improve the strength and adhesion of the paint,
protect against corrosion, reduce gloss and modify application properties.
There are both inorganic and organic pigments, the preference of which is used depends on its
properties.
Property
Preference Reasons
Brilliance and
clarity
Organic
The most attractive, cleanest colours can only be obtained with
organic pigments.
White & black
Inorganic
paints
The purest white pigment is titanium dioxide and the most jet
black, carbon. There are no organic black and whites.
Non-bleeding
Inorganic
Inorganic compounds have neglible solubilities in organic solvents.
Some organics are very insoluble.
Light fastness
Inorganic
The valency bonds in inorganic compounds are generally more
stable to uv light than those in organic compounds.
Heat stability
Inorganic
Very few organic compounds are stable at or above 300C. Some
decompose or melt at much lower temperatures.
Anti-corrosive
Inorganic
action
All anti-corrosive pigments are inorganic
A pigment can be made by precipitating organic chemicals with an inorganic "core", this
resulting pigment is called a "lake".
Pigments work by selectively absorbing some parts of the visible spectrum whilst reflecting
others.
Colourants can also be dyes. The distinction is made between a pigment, which is insoluble, and
a dye, which is either a liquid, or is soluble.
Binder Vehicle or Resin:- The binder, commonly referred to as the vehicle, is the actual film
forming component of paint.
The binder imparts adhesion, binds the pigments together, and strongly influences such
properties as gloss potential, exterior durability, flexibility, and toughness.
A paint type is usually identified by its binder.
Examples of binders:
Acrylic
Alkyd
Cellulose
Chlorinated rubber
Emulsion
Epoxy
Natural oils
Phenolic
Polyurethane
Silicone
Styrene
Vinyl
Each binder has its own properties, choice of binder is therefore important to ensure it will
conform to the purpose required. E.g. To coat a chemical plant with linseed oil would be an
incorrect choice as these paints have a low resistance to chemical attack. Epoxies and chlorinated
rubber paints would be better choices as they have a good resistance to chemical attack
The advantages of a chlorinated rubber paint system are:
Provides a tough inert film resistant to acid and alkaline agents
Resistant to mould growth
Non-flammable
Non-toxic
Very durable
Easily maintained
Low vapour permeability
Disadvantages are:
Low resistance to solvents
May shrivel at high temperatures
Cobwebbng whilst spraying
A binder forms polymers when drying, this is the continuous film that is the paint surface.
Solvent :-
A solvent gives the paint the ability to be spread over a large surface area. The solvent must be
volatile to evaporate from the paint surface leaving the paint film. Solvents can affect the
physical properties of the paint; the drying and gloss, therefore the solvent must be chosen
carefully to suit the desired needs.
The main purposes of the solvent are to adjust the curing properties and viscosity of the paint. It
is volatile and does not become part of the paint film. It also controls flow and application
properties, and affects the stability of the paint while in liquid state. Its main function is as the
carrier for the non volatile components. In order to spread heavier oils (i.e. linseed) as in oilbased interior housepaint, a thinner oil is required. These volatile substances impart their
properties temporarilyonce the solvent has evaporated or disintegrated, the remaining paint is
fixed to the surface.
There are many types of solvents used in paints, these are some of the most common;
Water
Aliphatic hydrocarbons
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Terpines
Alcohols
Esters
Ketones
Ethers
Nitroparaffins
Chloroparaffins
PVC: - For modern
paint formulator,
some authorities
believe the most important concept is that of pigment volume concentration ( PVC).It is defined
as
Volume of pigment in paint
PVC = ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Volume of pigment in paint + volume of non volatile vehicle constituents in paint.
The PVC largely controls such factors as gloss, reflectance , rheological properties ,
washability and durability.The PVC of a given formulation serves as the guide for reformulation
work, using different pigment or vehicle combinations , and such is extremely useful to paint
formulator.The addition of pigment continues to reinforce and improve the film forming
properties until a critical concentration is reached .At this point and beyond, the resistance
properties of the paint decrease , as the film becomes porous, causing the paint to weather faster
and lose abrasion resistance and flexibility.
Latex paints :- The word "latex" originally referred to the use of rubber in one form or another
as the resin, or solid, in paint. The solvent or thinner, called the "vehicle," is water. Today, many
paints are made with water as the thinner but with resins that are not latex, and the industry is
leaning toward such terms as "water-thinned" or "water-reducible." If the paints are called latex
at all, the term often used is "acrylic latex" because they contain a plastic resin made of acrylics
or polyvinyls rather than rubber
Advantages of Latex paints :Latex has excellent adhesion and better elasticity than oil.
Its color holds up very well with superior resistance to chalking and fading, especially when
exposed to bright sun.
High quality latex will go on smoothly and evenly, with little brush drag.
Latex is unlikely to grow mildew, but it still contains mildewcide additives to discourage mildew
growth and help maintain a fresh appearance.
Latex can be used on wood, concrete, stucco, brick, galvanized metal, vinyl siding, aluminum
siding, etc.
It has very little odor and it is non-combustible.
It can be cleaned with soap and water.
It takes one to six hours to dry which allows for a quick recoating.
Oil Based Paints: - Oil paint is any paint that does not use water as a medium. Rather, it
contains natural or synthetic resins or oils as a base. Oil paint typically has a stronger odor than
water paint. Since it dries by oxidation when exposed to air rather than through evaporation, it
can take significantly more time to dry. It is higher in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds, the
chemical molecules that vaporize as the paint dries) than water paints and may cause mild upperrespiratory distress in some people. Typically it is more durable than water paints. Brushes and
equipment must be cleaned with a solvent, like paint thinner or turpentine, since water will not
dissolve oil paint.
Advantages of oil based paints:Oil-base provides excellent adhesion. On heavily chalked surfaces it is has better adhesion then
latex.
Oil-base is more likely to chalk and fade in sunny exposure compared to latex.
It is slightly difficult to apply because of its brush drag tendency. However, it does go on heavy
for great one-coat hiding and coverage.
Its vegetable-oil base can provide nutrients for mildew growth, but most products contain
mildewcide to minimize growth.
Oil-base can be used on most materials, but certain surfaces require a sealer or pre-treatment. It
should not be applied directly to galvanized metal.
It has a stronger odor than latex.
It can be cleaned with turpentine, paint thinner or other solvent.
It takes about eight to 24 hours to dry.
