Paints and Industrial Coatings
Paints
Paint is used to decorate, protect and prolong the life of
natural and synthetic materials, and acts as a barrier
against environmental conditions.
Paints may be broadly classified into Decorative paints,
applied on site to decorate and protect buildings and
other objects, and Industrial coatings which are applied
in factories to finish manufactured goods such as cars.
What are some of the uses for paint?
Art works
Decoration (residential paints)
Protection of a surface (rust inhibiting
auto paints)
Warnings (reflective paint, fluorescent
paint)
The constituents of paint
Paints contain:
Pigment(s) - prime pigments to impart colour and
opacity
Binder (resin) - a polymer, often referred to as resin,
forming a matrix to hold the pigment in place
Solvent (sometimes called a thinner) - either an organic
solvent or water is used to reduce the viscosity of the
paint for better application. Water-borne paints are
replacing some paints that use volatile organic
compounds such as the hydrocarbons which are harmful
to the atmosphere.
The constituents of paint
Extender - larger pigment particles added to improve
adhesion, strengthen the film and save binder
Additives - used to modify the properties of the liquid
paint or dry film
Properties of an ideal paint
These vary greatly according to the particular end use.
The requirements for an automotive topcoat, for
example, will be very different to those for a decorative
ceiling paint.
Some of the typical attributes required can include:
ease of application
good flow out of application marks (e.g. brush-marking)
forming a continuous protective film
high opacity
quick drying
Properties of an ideal paint
corrosion resistance
water resistance
heat resistance
colour stability (i.e. against visible and ultraviolet
radiation)
abrasion and scratch resistance
Durability
easily cleaned
How does paint dry?
When paint dries, a thin polymer film is formed that
adheres to the surface and suspends the pigments.
Paint dries by a number of different mechanisms:
Solvent evaporation
Rust proof paints
Heating (thermosetting)
Automotive
Oxidation
Drying oils, artistic paints
Linseed oil
