PERFORMANCE RELATED TO PROPERTIES OF PAINTS AND COATINGS

In general, paints and coatings are used to decorate and beautify establishments, buildings
and other materials that can be applied by paints. But, technically, paints and coatings not only
decorate things; but also, protects materials from environmental conditions and prolong its life.
Paints are primarily composed of different materials such as pigments, binders, liquids and
additives. Each component of paint is designed to focus on certain functions to contribute to the
overall performance of paint.

Pigments are finely crushed powders that are dissolved in paints. Pigments provide color
to paints, especially to latex and oil-based paints. Pigments are further classified in to two types:
prime pigments and extenders. A common example of is titanium dioxide (TiO 2) which provides
whiteness by spreading light and hiding in flat or glossy paint.

Prime pigments provide color and whiteness to a paint. Pigments provide color by
selective absorption to light and are divided in to organic and inorganic pigments. Organic
pigments are pigments which are bright in color such as yellow, green and blue. On the other
hand, inorganic pigments are dark in color such as brown, gray and black. It is also the primary
source of hiding capability when uneven construction of buildings were made.

Extender pigments provide bulk at relatively low cost. This means that these pigments
still produce high quality paints but at a cheaper cost of raw materials. Some examples of
extender pigments are calcium carbonate and magnesium silicate. Both extenders are low in cost
compared with titanium dioxide and can be used for both interior and exterior paints.

Binders fuse pigment in it to strengthen the hardness and toughness of paints. Also, it
provides good adhesion with other molecules. Binders are very important component of paint
because it greatly affects the performance of the paint produced. If there is no presence of
binders in paints, paints dry to form a clear and glossy film. But, these paints are not put to
waste; instead, these are used to produce clear finishes and varnishes.
 However, pigments reduce the shininess of the binder. Certain gloss levels of paint were
established to accurately describe the shininess of the binder. A theoretical approach is used in
measuring the ratio of pigment to binder necessary for the formulation of paints. Pigment volume
concentration (PVC) is a measure of the relative volumes of total pigment and binder. It can be
calculated by the equation:

Afterwards, the percent PVC denotes the type of paint where a specific sample of paint belongs.

Another method of determining the type of paint produced is through this graph.

Readings of reflectivity values must be recorded at certain angles of observation at 20⁰, 60⁰ and
85⁰. Then, the type of paint can now be deduced from this table.
Usually, paint contractors prefer highly pigmented flat paints for interior painting to hide the
unevenness of construction and for uniformity of touch-up. But, either low or high-PVC values
are not recommended for use in wood or in cold climates.

Binders are further classified in to its primary component namely, oil and latex-based
binders. Oil-based binders are made from vegetable oil that oxidizes and crosslinks when
exposed to air, thus producing the necessary properties of paint. In the past, some frequently used
oils are linseed and soya oil binders. But, nowadays, pure oils are being mixed to form new oils
called as alkyds. Alkyds dry faster and harder compared to pure vegetable oils. These alkyds
perform better in terms of durability and flexibility compared with pure oils.
The film formation of oil-based binders is a two-step process. When paint is applied to
the surface, the liquid evaporates and leaves the pigment and binder on the surface. Then, the
binder dries and oxidizes in air which produces good properties of paint in terms of hardness,
toughness and flexibility. However, excessive hardening of paint can cause breaking and
chipping. Also, it results to yellowing which decolorize the paint under sunlight.
Latex-based binders are composed of solid, plastic-like material dispersed as microscopic
particles in water. This dispersion is a milky-white liquid which is called latex in paint industries.
Latex paints can also be described as emulsion paints. Film formation of latex paints happens
when the paint is applied and water evaporates. As water continuously evaporates, coalescence
occurs in which capillary action draws the pigment and binder together. As a result, the
molecules of the pigment and binder are closer and stronger with one another.

Comparing oil and latex-based binders, latex-based binders are more preferable to use
because it has small openings for some unwanted moisture to penetrate through the paint without
deformation. Unlike oil-based binders, it has a tight structure which does not permit the passage
of unwanted water molecules that results to blistering. However, latex paints can also blister if
the paint:

 Has limited adhesion capability

 Has applied to wet or uncleaned surface
 Has no enough time for the drying process to finish
However, film formation of latex paints has limitations. Since the binders are thermoplastic, it is
difficult for the binders to fuse in to a continuous film at very low temperatures. This is the
reason why latex paints are more preferred to use at higher temperatures. Also, the drying time
can affect the performance of paints. If quick drying happens, the particles may not be strong
enough when it is fused to the film. Some factors which contribute to quick drying are extreme
high temperature, low humidity, and direct application of sunlight.

Liquids provides a way to move the pigment and binder from the container on to the
surface that is to be painted. When the paint dries and liquid evaporates, it is only the pigment
and binder that is left on the surface. The mixture of pigment and binder is known as solids. And,
the mixture of solids and liquid is known as coating.

 For most oil-based paints, the liquid used is paint thinner which is a combustible solvent
made from mineral spirits, a petroleum distillate of aliphatic hydrocarbons.
 For shellac-based primers and varnishes, the liquid is denatured alcohol.
 For liquid and pigmented lacquers, lacquer thinner is used or another solvent that is
stronger than paint thinner.
 For latex paints, water is commonly used.
 The composition of solids is a vital parameter in determining the performance of paints.
Typically, a high solids content is more preferred compared to low solids content. A high solids
content denotes a thicker formation of paint film which results in better hiding and durability.
The solids content is usually expressed in weight or volume. Usually, the weight solids is higher
in value than volume solids. But, volume solids is a better indicator of paint performance.

Additives are additional ingredients in paints, but greatly affects the properties of paint.
 Thickeners and rheology modifiers provide adequate viscosity and thickness and
improves the flow of paint throughout the surface.
 Surfactants stabilize the paint for it not to separate or become too thick to use. It keeps
the pigments dispersed for maximum gloss and hiding and improves the flow of paint on
to the surface.
 Biocides preserve the growth of bacteria in paint to avoid contamination.
 Defoamers break the formation of bubbles when the paint is thoroughly mixed or shook
or when it is applied to the surface by rolling.
 Co-solvents aid the binder in forming a good film when applied to a low recommended
temperature. It helps the liquid paint resist damage if cooled and enhance paint flow and
brushing properties. However, co-solvents are normally composed of volatile organic
compounds (VOC).

Film formation is the primary factor to be considered in assessing the performance of

paints and coatings. There are two kinds of films formed in paints, namely thermosetting and
thermoplastic resins. Thermoplastic resin softens with heat. On the other hand, thermosetting
resin composes of functional groups and is capable of crosslinking to itself or with other groups.
Thermosetting resins react in the presence of heat, oxygen or moisture.

In terms of film formation, a thermoplastic resin undergoes evaporation of water or

solvent. On the other hand, film formation using thermosetting resin involves two stages. The
evaporation process happens first; then, the resin cross-links in the presence of a cross-linker.
But in terms of chemical resistance and toughness, thermosetting resins should be used. In
thermoplastic resins, the shape deforms to some degree when heat is applied.
 The characterization of resins as binders is an important factor to consider in evaluating
the performance of paints and coatings. The glass transition temperature is the temperature at
which an increase in thermal expansion coefficient happens (from a glassy where resin is hard
and brittle to rubbery state). It can be measured using dynamics mechanical analysis (DMA) or
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). At this temperature, the free volume and mobility of
resin increases. If the temperature is way above the room temperature, it may not properly fuse to
produce a good quality film. On the other hand, in a thermoplastic resin, a temperature below
room temperature will form a soft film that is not hard. Thus, thermosetting resins enables
greater availability for its functional groups to crosslink with other groups.

The average molecular weight (MW) is defined as the summation of products of weight
of each polymer species at a given molecular weight divided by total molecular mass. The
number average molecular weight (MN) is the molecular weight of the summation of the
products of the number of molecules at each molecular weight divided by the sum of number of
molecules in a sample. Then, the ratio of MW/MN is known as molecular weight distribution.

In example, coatings with resin solutions have higher viscosity at high values of
molecular weight. With this, the resin will require more solvent which will increase the amount
of volatile organic compound (VOC). For thermoplastic polymers, higher molecular weight
increases the tensile strength of the resin. But, for high solid coatings, a lower molecular weight
is more preferred because of emissions of VOC. However, viscosity is not vital in water-born
coatings because it is composed of polymeric particles such as emulsion and dispersion rather
than solutions.

Also, mechanical properties affect the performance of paints and coatings primarily on
the binders. Some important mechanical properties to consider are tensile strength, modulus and
elongation. These mechanical properties are measured using the stress-strain test. Elongation is
the ratio of the length after applying a load to the system divided by the original length. Tensile
strength is the stress at which a material breaks. The modulus is defined as the slope of stress
versus strain. Theoretically, modulus measures the resistivity to deformation and change.
Therefore, the proper choice of resin should be made for the binders to perform the necessary
functions in order to obtain the required performance and specifications.