Industrial Coatings

Technical Data Sheet

Laroflex® MP 45

Product Description Laroflex® MP 45 is a chlorinated binder that is used for the manufacture of physically drying
coatings on iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, mineral substrates as well as road marking
paints resistant to hydrolysis.

Key Features & Benefits - Excellent Corrosion Protection

- Excellent Solubility

Chemical Composition Co-polymer based on vinyl chloride and vinyl isobutyl ether

Properties
Typical Characteristics Appearance fine white powder
Viscosity (20% solution in toluene) 40 – 50 cps
-1
Shear rate D 500 s
Density at 20°C 1.24 g/cm³
Vicat softening temperature 48 – 52°C
K value ~ 35
Chlorine mass fraction 44%

Solubility Soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ketones, glycol ethers, and acetates.

Compatibility Compatible with alkyd acrylic resins, hydrocarbon resins, and cyclohexanone aldehyde resins.

These typical values should not be interpreted as specifications. Solubility and compatibility should be tested in
each individual case.

Applications
Laroflex® MP 45 is a binder resistant to hydrolysis. It can be used for anti-corrosion coatings, for
coatings on galvanized steel, other non-ferrous metals, concrete, fiber cement, road marking paints,
flame-retardant coatings on non-flammable building materials, and marine and container paints.

Laroflex® MP 45 is recommended for applications such as:

• Interior/exterior general industrial metal coating applications
• Interior/exterior plastic component applications
• Interior/exterior concrete coating applications

Laroflex® MP 45 offers the following advantages to both manufacturers and users of coatings:
• Broad choice of solvents, particularly economical blends of aromatic and aliphatic
hydrocarbons
• Good compatibility with other coating raw materials
• Good pigment binding capacity even at high solids
• Unrestricted choice of pigments and extenders
• Easy application by all common techniques, no cob-webbing even at high solids
• Thermal stability allows force drying
• Good adhesion on iron, steel, and many unrelated coating systems, good inter-coat
adhesion

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 • Good resistance of properly formulated coatings to aqueous alkalis and acids, salt solutions,
to stress from water, humidity changes, low and cyclic temperatures as well as to chalking
and yellowing
• Long lasting corrosion protection even under extreme outdoor conditions

Fields of Application Industrial corrosion protection

®
Combinations of equal proportions of Laroflex MP 45 and air-drying binders have proven effective.
Two to three coats of thixotropic high-build coatings are needed to obtain the overall thickness of 200
– 250 µm necessary for effective corrosion protection. Depending on the make-up of the systems and
the quality of pigments and extenders, the PVC is 30 – 40%. Lower pigmented gloss coats may be
used for topcoats.

Marine coatings, underwater corrosion protection

Coatings having to withstand sea or river water can be formulated with Laroflex® MP 45 and non-
saponifiable hydrophobic plasticizers. Combinations with tar and/or hydrocarbon resins can also be
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used; a polyamine-cured epoxy resin may replace some of the Laroflex MP 45 proportion. PVC of 35
– 40% is ideal for high-build coatings. These adhere extremely well to sandblasted steel, commercial
shop primers, and other unrelated coating systems. Laroflex® MP 45 being resistant to alkalis allows
formulating underwater coatings that give excellent performance in cathodic protection and on
zinc/ethyl silicate primers. Since high-build coatings based on Laroflex® MP 45 can be sprayed
outstandingly well, only two or three spray coats are needed to achieve perfect corrosion protection.

Laroflex® MP 45 can also be used as a binder in antifouling paints. Hydrophilic co-binders like
®
Lutonal M 40 approx. 70% in ethanol and/or rosin ensure that the antifouling agent is released at a
uniform rate.

Machinery, automotive and container finishes

Suitable coatings can be formulated from Laroflex® MP 45 and roughly equal amounts of air-drying
binder.

Coatings on galvanized steel and aluminum

Air-drying binders should be avoided in primers and topcoats on aluminum or, in particular,
galvanized steel. Coatings based on such binders could flake or peel off after prolonged exposure to
moisture and fluctuating temperatures. Addition of special hard resins, talc, and/or micaceous iron
oxide allows coats with extremely good adhesion.

Coatings for mineral substrates

Laroflex® MP 45 and alkali-resistant plasticizers are used to obtain coatings for mineral substrates.
The pigmentation depends on the desired degree of gloss.

Architectural finishes with adequate permeability to water vapor should have PVC of 50 – 60%.

Combinations of Laroflex® MP 45, polyamine-cured epoxy resins, and tar are used for underwater and
underground mineral substrates.

The PVC for swimming pool coatings should be at least 50% in order to avoid blisters forming from
osmosis, even in high-build coats.

Since Laroflex® MP 45 is resistant to hydrolysis; it is a suitable binder for sealing and impregnating
primers for stabilizing mineral substrates and reliably ensuring that subsequent coats of architectural
finishes adhere well. Depending on the substrate’s actual porosity, the binder concentration in these
coatings should be 8 – 15%.

Road marking paints

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Road marking paints can be formulated from Laroflex MP 45 alone or combined with air-drying
binders. Note, however, that air-drying binders will reduce the life of road markings.

Flame-retardant coatings
Laroflex® MP 45 is suitable for flame-retardant coatings on non-flammable substrates.

Other fields of applications

• Indoor/outdoor coatings on wood and duroplastics
• Impregnating and coating of paper, cardboard, and textiles
• Effect paints such as wrinkle, hammer, and crackle finishes

Differences in Properties Laroflex® MP 45 and other Laroflex® grades mainly differ in their viscosities and the rheology of their
solutions. Viscosity range differences relate to 20% solutions in toluene at 23°C (73°F). The less polar
solvent, the greater the differences in viscosity.

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Solvent Selection Aromatic hydrocarbons or their blends with esters and glycol ether acetates are suitable solvents;
aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or alcohols are used as diluents.

Ketones, in general, are less suited since they are retained by vinyl chloride polymers longer than
other solvents with equal volatility, resulting in slower drying coatings.

The diluent fraction of the solvent blend mainly depends on the solvency of the true solvent.
®
Depending on the type of solvent and when Laroflex MP 45 is used, the diluent proportion must be
reduced by up to 40% as compared with Laroflex® MP 35. The diluent proportion can be increased if
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other raw materials in the formulation are readily compatible with Laroflex MP 45 and soluble in
aliphatic hydrocarbons or alcohols. Examples are hard resins, many alkyd resins, and high-aromatic
grades of tar, soft resins, and plasticizers present in greater proportions.

Aromatic hydrocarbons or blends or aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons are best suitable for
coatings that are to be exposed to water very soon after application.

High volatile solvents and/or diluents produce faster drying coatings. Coatings containing a blend of
xylene and butanol instead of xylene alone will dry faster. Polymers release esters more easily than
ketones and aromatic hydrocarbons of the same volatility. The most favorable low volatile solvent is
ethoxypropyl acetate. Note that the solvent retention also depends on the other constituents of the
recipe.

Gloss and flow of coatings can be improved by adding high boiling solvents such as ethoxypropyl
acetate. High proportions of low volatile diluents, however, may result in precipitating of binder
constituents, impairing both gloss and mechanical properties of the coatings.

Greater proportions (20 – 25%) of high boiling solvents such as ethoxypropyl acetate or blends of
aromatic hydrocarbons with a boiling range of 150 – 190°C (302 – 374°F) reduce blistering which may
occur in airless sprayed coatings, particularly those with a low pigment content.

High proportions of diluent in the solvent blend reduce the risk of previous coats pulling up.

Clear or almost clear solutions can be obtained in aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene as
well as in chlorinated hydrocarbons, anone, and tetrahydrofuran. Solutions with other solvents may be
somewhat cloudy but will not adversely influence hardness and homogeneity of the film, provided the
solution dries to form a clear film.

Viscosity Behavior of the The viscosity of Laroflex® MP 45 solutions not only depends on the concentration, the composition of
Solution solvent blend and its temperature, but also on the conditions under which they are prepared.

The higher the temperature as well as duration and extent of shear forces, the lower the viscosity of
the solution will be after cooling down to room temperature. After extended storage, the viscosity may
increase again, an effect that is more pronounced the less the solvating power and the affinity
between solvents and polymer.
®
Un-pigmented concentrated solutions of Laroflex MP 45 in xylene may tend to gel – often only
months after they have been prepared and without undergoing a gradual increase in viscosity.
Adding ketones and esters reduces the tendency to gel, in particular if the binder concentration is
high. By adding 10 – 20% of an alcohol to the solvent blend, gelling generally can be suppressed
completely. Likewise, no gelling has been observed yet in formulations containing blends of high
boiling aromatic hydrocarbons. The gel structure can be removed by intensive stirring, heating, or by
milling with pigments.

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Typical Solvent Blends Coatings based on Laroflex® MP 45, without significant amounts of co-binders; flash point > 21°C

Solvent % Solvent
100 Xylene
75 Xylene
25 Aromatic hydrocarbons 145 – 185°C
85 Xylene
15 White spirit 155 – 185°C
50 Xylene
20 Aromatic hydrocarbons 145 – 185°C
30 White spirit 155 – 185°C
80 Xylene
10 i-butanol
10 White spirit 155 – 185°C
70 Xylene
4 i-butanol
13 Aromatic hydrocarbons 145 – 185°C
13 White spirit 155 – 185°C
70 Xylene
10 i-butanol
5 Ethoxypropyl acetate
15 White spirit 155 – 185°C
65 Xylene
5 Aromatic hydrocarbons 145 – 185°C
5 Ethoxypropyl acetate
25 White spirit 155 – 185°C
50 Xylene
35 n-butyl acetate
15 i-butanol
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Coatings based on 1:1 combinations of Laroflex MP 45 and alkyd resins; flash point > 21°C

Solvent % Solvent
70 Xylene
30 White spirit 155 – 185°C
70 Xylene
10 i-butanol
20 White spirit 155 – 185°C
50 Xylene
15 Aromatic hydrocarbons 145 – 185°C
35 White spirit 155 – 185°C
60 Xylene
5 Ethoxypropyl acetate
35 White spirit 155 – 185°C
60 Xylene
5 i-butanol
5 Aromatic hydrocarbons 145 – 185°C
30 White spirit 155 – 185°C
40 Xylene
10 i-butanol
10 Ethoxypropyl acetate
40 White spirit 155 – 185°C
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Plasticizing Since Laroflex MP 45 is internally plasticized; coatings based on it are flexible and adhere well.
Proportions of additional plasticizers can be kept comparatively low. In general, mass proportions of
10 – 25% are sufficient. Plasticizers – mostly low viscous ones – with good solvating power can be
added in low proportions of 5 – 15%, soft resins such as Acronal® 4 F or polyester resins in larger
proportions of 15 – 30%.

Too much plasticizer will adversely affect the hardness and thermostability of the dried coatings and
can promote shrinkage, alligatoring, and soiling of outdoor coatings.

Coatings that have to withstand chemicals and salt water are formulated with plasticizers resistant to
saponification, such as chlorinated paraffin waxes. Saponifiable plasticizers (phthalates, adulates, or
®
phosphates) can be used when resistance to chemicals is less important. Plastigen G is the
plasticizer of choice for coatings on alkaline substrates (concrete) and for topcoats extraordinarily
resistant to yellowing and chalking. Acronal® 4 F and its mixtures with phthalates are particularly
suitable to increase adhesion to aluminum, its alloys, and other difficult substrates.

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 The flexibility and adhesion of films based on Laroflex® MP 45 at low temperatures can be increased
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by using low viscosity, high efficiency plasticizers such as Palatinol 911 and Plastomoll DOA.
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Plasticizers that are insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons such as Palamoll 646, least impair the
resistance of films based on Laroflex MP 45 to lubricants and fuel oils.

Modification by other Hard resins

Coating Raw Materials Solids content, gloss, and adhesion can be increased by adding hard resins. Hard resins that are
® ®
compatible with Laroflex MP 45 (Laropal A 81) are often able to overcome any slight incompatibility
on the part of other materials present in the formulation. Laropal® A 81 increases the diluent tolerance
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of coatings based on Laroflex MP 45 for aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Non-saponifiable hard resins are recommended for coatings resistant to chemicals and water. For
non-pale coatings or when less emphasis is put on resistance to light and weathering, coumarone,
indene, or hydrocarbon resins can be used. Saponifiable hard resins such as maleate or modified
phenolic resins can be used if good resistance to chemicals is not required.

Air-drying binders
Air-drying binders reduce the thermoplasticity of Laroflex® MP 45. Combined with a predominant
proportion of air-drying binder, Laroflex® MP 45 improves the coating’s surface drying and thus its
initial hardness resistance to chemicals and water, and outdoor performance, particularly in industrial
environments.

If resistance to chemicals and water is essential, the proportion of Laroflex® MP 45 should be at least
the same as that of the air-drying binder.

The most compatible alkyd resins are those containing about 45 – 55% drying or 25 – 50% semi-
drying oils. The lower acid value and average molecular mass of an alkyd resin, the better
compatibility, which should be checked in each individual case.
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In combinations of Laroflex MP 45 with alkyd resins, the amount of white spirit in the solvent blend
can often be increased well above the proportion normally used in coatings solely containing Laroflex®
MP 45.

Other compatible binders are bodied oils with modified phenolic resins, various urethane/alkyd resins,
and some epoxy resins modified by oil fatty acids.
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In many cases, air-drying binders can be made perfectly compatible with Laroflex MP 45 by including
other compatible components such as Laropal® A 81 or plasticizers.

If a hybrid binder coating is to be over-coated, care must be taken to ensure that oxidative drying has
progressed so far that there is no risk of “pulling up” caused by excessive softening of the first coat by
the solvent phase of the second coat. The tendency of pulling up can be reduced by increasing the
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proportion of Laroflex MP 45. Equally, the solvent can be diluted with more white spirit. Solvent
blends whose proportion of diluents increases gradually and only to a limited extent perform best. An
example is a blend consisting of equal parts of xylene and white spirit.

Bituminous raw materials

Laroflex® MP 45 can be combined with many tars, pitch, bitumens, and asphalts. Bitumens with a low
softening point are generally more compatible than those with a higher one. The components are
mixed easiest in the form of solvents. Laroflex® MP 45 increases hardness, toughness, and resistance
to weathering of tar or bitumen coatings. The proportion of the components depends on the desired
properties.

Other binder types

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Further, Laroflex MP 45 is compatible with urea (Plastopal grades) and melamine (Luwipal grades)
formaldehyde resins, or volatile liquid aromatic or aliphatic epoxy resins. Non-crosslinking poly
(meth)acrylates and their co-polymers increase the coatings’ film hardness and gloss retention.

Pigmentation Any conventional anti-corrosion pigment can be used in primers based on Laroflex® MP 45, as
chemical reactions between the two are unlikely. Based on our current experience, the binder, if
stored under normal conditions, does not need to be stabilized against attack by active metal powders
such as aluminum bronze. If there are any doubts, small proportions of zinc oxide or epoxy
compounds may be added.

High proportions of flake extenders or pigments in the pigment blend (talc, micaceous iron oxide, or
aluminum bronze) improve the coatings’ adhesion and impermeability to water vapor. They also
facilitate airless spraying of thick coats.

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 Pigments and extenders resistant to weathering should be preferred for topcoats. Some extenders,
including a few natural magnesium, aluminum, or potassium-aluminum silicates as well as barytes,
contain impurities, which may cause yellowing of white topcoats. A small amount of zinc white
generally prevents such discoloration.

Pigments resistant to acids and alkalis must be used for coatings resistant to chemicals.

Effective corrosion protection is achieved with coatings having PVC of 16 – 35%. For coatings
particularly resistant to chemicals, a lower PVC range of 16 – 22% should be preferred. Well-
formulated high-build finishes, on the other hand, can be pigmented up to about 35%. In general, the
pigmentation level should be limited to 90% of the critical PVC.
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Stabilizers Laroflex MP 45 is sufficiently stable to dehydrochlorination. Thus, no stabilizers are normally needed.
Exceptions are coatings that are either exposed to heat or un-pigmented or, in some cases of
coatings based on transparent pigments, exposed to UV radiation for extended periods.

Note that chlorinated binders are less stable if moisture or some chemicals are present.

Generally, coating systems based on Laroflex® MP 45 should not be exposed to heat above 70 –
80°C for prolonged periods.
1
Heat stabilizers should be added for force drying at temperatures of up to 130°C. Adding 2% Mark 17
1 ®
M and 3% Drapex 39 (respective to Laroflex MP 45), provides adequate stabilization.

Dispersants, Anti-settling Some dispersants or anti-settling agents, particularly in higher proportions, may act with chlorinated
Agents, Thixotropes binders to cause corrosion of metal containers and thus reduce the coatings’ anti-corrosion protection.
Trials are recommended.

Further, suitable thickeners and anti-settling agents consist of an approximately 10% gel paste made
2 3
from Bentone 38 or 39 and Anti-Terra U in aromatic solvents.

Thixotropes derived from hydrogenated castor oil can be used for high-build coatings. Manufacturer’s
instructions on their use should be observed.

Processing Production of coatings

Laroflex® MP 45 dissolves very rapidly even without heating. Caking is avoided by immediately and
uniformly distributing the powder: thoroughly stirring, it is slowly added to the diluent (aliphatic
hydrocarbons, alcohols). Proportions of Laroflex® MP 45 powder and diluent should be approximately
equal. Then, solvent(s) and other diluents are added while stirring. Subsequently, plasticizers and
combination resins may be added.

Solutions of Laroflex® MP 45 that contain plasticizers and possible other binder components are used
to paste and mill pigments. If alkyd resin co-binders are present in the formulation, these can be used
to prepare the pigment paste.

Application techniques
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Coatings based on Laroflex MP 45 are suitable for all common application techniques such as high-
pressure spraying, airless spraying, hot spraying, brushing, dipping, curtain or roller coating or paint
roller.

No cob-webbing occurs during the application of coatings based on Laroflex® MP 45 even at high
solids or if they contain highly volatile solvents.

Blistering and pore formation during airless spraying can be avoided by keeping the proportion of
highly volatile esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate in the solvent blend low. The inclusion of
high boiling aromatic hydrocarbons or ethoxypropyl acetate is advantageous. Good results are also
obtained with defoamers, especially in paints with low PVC.

1
Mark and Drapex are registered trademarks of Chemtura Corporation
2
Bentone is a registered trademark of Elementis Specialties
3
Anti-Terra is a registered trademark of BYK-Chemie GmbH

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 Drying
Coatings based on Laroflex® MP 45 surface-dry rapidly but require some length of time to through-dry
since Laroflex® MP 45, like all polymers, tend to hold back residual solvent. Consequently, a drying
time of one or two days should be left between coats to prevent pulling up. Coatings to be exposed to
water or liquid chemicals must be allowed to through-dry thoroughly. In this case, polar solvents
should be avoided as any residual solvent could absorb large amounts of water and cause swelling.

Drying time can be reduced by choosing suitable solvent blends, reducing the plasticizer proportion,
higher PVC, or adding voluminous extenders or diatomite. Excessive quantities of these extenders
and inadequate pigment dispersion can lead to porous coatings with greater permeability to water
vapor.

Safety
General The usual safety precautions when handling chemicals must be observed. These include the
measures described in Federal, State, and Local health and safety regulations, thorough ventilation of
the workplace, good skin care, and wearing of protective goggles.
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Material Safety Data Sheet All safety information is provided in the Material Safety Data Sheet for Laroflex MP 45.

Important
While the descriptions, designs, data and information contained herein are presented in good faith
and believed to be accurate, they are provided for guidance only. Because many factors may affect
processing or application/use, BASF recommends that the reader make tests to determine the
suitability of a product for a particular purpose prior to use. NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND,
EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE REGARDING
PRODUCTS DESCRIBED OR DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION SET FORTH, OR THAT THE
PRODUCTS, DESCRIPTIONS, DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION MAY BE USED WITHOUT
INFRINGING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS. In no case shall the
descriptions, information, data or designs provided be considered a part of BASF's terms and
conditions of sale. Further, the descriptions, designs, data, and information furnished by BASF
hereunder are given gratis and BASF assumes no obligation or liability for the descriptions, designs,
data or information given or results obtained all such being given and accepted at the reader's risk.

Laroflex is a registered trademark of BASF Group.

© BASF Corporation, 2010

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®
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