3/16/2021 Solvent in Paints and Coatings: Types, Uses and Properties

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Solvents Selection for Industrial Coatings

In paints and coatings, solvents are majorly used to dissolve or disperse various components used in the formulation. Industrial Coatings made with solvents dry u
solvent alternatives at room temperature, making painting fast and easy along with other benefits such as long-lasting protection, brilliant performance in extreme
more.

Explore main factors to be considered while selecting the right solvent for your industrial coating formulations from a range provided by the coatings market. Also
of the different solvent families (hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, alcohols, glycol ethers….) and some specific solvents within them.

Role of Solvents in Paints and Role of Solvents in Paints and Coatings

Coa ngs
Solvents are added to paint and coa ngs formula ons to
dissolve other compounds like:

Pigments
Addi ves, and
Binders

A er the paint is applied on the surface, the solvent

evaporates, allowing the resin and pigment to produce a
film of paint and to dry quickly. Adding solvents in a paint formula on helps to op mize the whole
performance of the system.

Even if almost no solvents are present in the final dried coa ng due to evapora on, their role is
essen al in coa ng formula on.
Channel A
Receive weekl
Solvents control the viscosity for the applica on
Enter your Em
Solvents have an important effect on film quality, which is strongly dependent on the solvent's
evapora on rate during drying

As a result of this they can affect proper es such as film appearance, adhesion, or even corrosion.

» Select Right Solvent for Your Paints and Coa ngs Formula on

This coa ngs database is available to all, free of charge. You can filter down your op ons by suitable
resin, system or applica on (coa ngs, inks...), supplier and regional availability.

Before learning about what are the main families of solvents used in paints and coa ngs formula ons,
let’s understand more about solva ng power which is probably the most important parameter to
select a solvent apart from its vola lity and evaporate rate…

Hansen Solubility Parameters 2D map (δP and δH)

Solva ng Power describes the ability of a solvent to interact with other molecules and thus the
dissolu on of resins and formula on viscosity.

Hansen Solubility Parameters offer a good way to es mate the solva ng power of solvents
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3/16/2021 Solvent in Paints and Coatings: Types, Uses and Properties

Basic Principles of Hansen Solubility Parameters

Hansen Solubility Parameters are a set of 3 numbers that describe the way solvents (but also
polymers) will behave with other molecules (Do they want to be near each other or not).

Each one of the 3 parameters, δD, δP and δH , represents a type of interac ons: London dispersion
forces, polar forces and hydrogen bonding forces respec vely.

As dispersion forces are similar for most of the common solvents/organic molecules δD does not
vary much.

δP and δH are more important here and can differ a lot from solvent to solvent. These numbers are
good indicators of the polar proper es and ability of a solvent to form hydrogen bonds
respec vely.

The smaller the δP the be er the ability to dissolve non-polar resin, the higher the δH the be er
the ability to form hydrogen bonds.

Although it remains important, when formula ng a solvent blend, to consider all Hansen Parameters
of the blend (the reader is encouraged to look for more informa on on Hansen Solubility Parameters)
here we will take into account only δP and δH. Below we have created a 2D map of the common
solvents/families that can complement the matrix and help visualize solvent solva ng proper es.

Main Types of Solvents Used in Paints and Coa ngs

The main types of solvents used in paints and coa ngs formula ons are:

Hydrocarbon Solvents
Ketones
Esters
Alcohols
Glycol Ethers

Hydrocarbon Solvents for Coa ngs

Hydrocarbons (molecules composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms) can be divided in alipha cs,
aroma cs and blends

Alipha c solvents are linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon chains such as pure solvent like
hexane
Aroma c solvents feature a benzene group (cyclic structure of 6 carbons) like Toluene and Xylene
Alipha c and cyclic hydrocarbons blends are usually well known as Mineral or White Spirit and
Special Boiling Point Spirit. Blends of aroma c solvents are also available

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3/16/2021 Solvent in Paints and Coatings: Types, Uses and Properties

1. Special Boiling Point Spirit (Flash Point < 21°C) include different grades with different flash points
and fixed boiling ranges. They are very fast evapora ng solvents and thus are used for fast drying
coa ngs

2. Mineral or White Spirit (Commonly with flash point > 21°C) are also available in different grades
with different flash points and fixed boiling range. Their names can usually refer to the flash point
(30°C, 40°C, 60°C …). They are commonly used for oil based and alkyd resins

3. Aroma c hydrocarbons blends (some mes called Naphtha solvents) are usually aroma c
petroleum frac ons (C9 to C13) with different grades having fixed boiling ranges. They are
commonly used in many industrial coa ngs as part of the solvent systems even if they try to be
avoided when possible. In general aroma c solvents have higher dissolving power than alipha cs

4. Toluene and xylene are commonly used with phenolic and amino formaldehyde in heat-curing
systems as well as with alkyd resins

5. Spirits of Turpen ne are specific solvents made from dis lla on of tree resins and composed of
different terpenes. There are commonly used for oil-based systems.

To help you select hydrocarbon solvents keeping in view the proper es they impart to the
formula on, below find an exclusive matrix focusing on the Solva ng Power, Evapora on Rate/
Vola lity, Solubility in Water, Flammability and Toxicological/eco-tox Profile of different types of
hydrocarbon solvents.

Solva ng
Power /
Solva ng Evapora on Solubility in
Ability to Tox/eco-
Subtype Power / Rate/ Water Flammability
form tox Profile
Polarity Vola lity (20°C)
hydrogen
bonds
Alipha c-Hexane -0 -0 Yes
Blend
Alipha c/Cycloalipha c Usually
Yes
Special Boiling Point Spirits
(Flash Point < 21°C)
Blend
Alipha c/Cycloalipha c
White spirits / Mineral Usually YES Usually
Spirits (60°C>Flash Point >
21°C)
Blend
Alipha c/Cycloalipha c
No
White spirits / Mineral
Spirits (Flash Point > 60°C)
Spirit of Turpen ne
Usually YES Usually
(terpenoids)
Aroma c Frac ons (Flash
Yes Usually
Point <60°C)
Aroma c Frac ons (Flash
No Usually
Point >60°C)

Toluene Yes

Xylene Yes

Ketones as Solvents for Coa ngs

Ketones solvents are considered to have good solva ng power thanks to their carbonyl group, a
hydrogen acceptor. Small ketones are good for polar resins and as the hydrocarbon chain get more
important for higher ketones; they become good for non-polar resins. Only small ketones are miscible
with water.

Ketones solvents can also decrease viscosity of resin systems by avoiding complex forma on between
polar resins (when hydrogen bonds are formed between resin molecules).

» View all Ketone Solvents Suitable for Paints & Coa ngs

Acetone, a fast evapora on solvent used in cellulosic coa ngs

Methyl isobutyl Ketone, a medium evapora on all around solvent used in many systems
Methyl Amyl Ketones a low evapora on solvent with good solving power proper es
Isophorone a very low evapora on solvent used in heat-curing systems. It is known to improve the
we ng of surfaces and pigments

Subtype Solva ng Solva ng Evapora on Solubility FlammabilityTox/eco-tox

Power / Power / Rate/ in Water Profile
Ability to Polarity Vola lity (20°C)
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3/16/2021 Solvent in Paints and Coatings: Types, Uses and Properties
hydrogen
bonds
Acetone
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Yes
(MEK)
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
Yes
(MIBK)
Methyl Amyl Ketone
Yes
(MAK)

Isophorone No

Diacetone Alcohol Yes

Diisobutyl Ketone Yes

Esters as Solvents for Coa ngs

Like ketones, esters are also hydrogen acceptors and thus have similar solva ng power. If small esters
are good solvents for polar resins, their dissolving power for non-polar material increases, like
ketones, with the size of their hydrocarbon chain.

They usually have a very limited miscibility with water but compared to ketones, their usually more
"fruity" odor makes them o en more pleasant. They can also be used to decrease viscosity when polar
resins molecules form complexes due to hydrogen bonds.

Ethyl Acetate, a fast evapora on solvent widely used in many fast drying systems
Butyl Acetate is also widely used, its moderate evapora on rate makes it perfect, during drying, to
avoid surface defects of the film (blushing, cratering...)
Propylene Glycol Mono Methyl Ether Acetate, a moderate evapora on, solvent is also used in lots
of systems. It has a greater (but limited) miscibility with water compared to other esters
Butyl Glycol Acetate is a slow evapora on solvent with very good solva ng power making it
suitable to improve the flow and gloss of coa ngs cured at high temperature

Solva ng
Power /
Solva ng Evapora on Solubility in
Ability to Tox/eco-tox
Subtype Power / Rate/ Water Flammability
form Profile
Polarity Vola lity (20°C)
hydrogen
bonds

-
General Esters
No/Slightly
miscible
Ethyl Acetate Yes

Butyl Acetate Yes

IsoPropyl Acetate Yes

IsoButyl Acetate Yes

Glycol Ether Esters

Propylene Glycol Mono

Methyl Ether Acetate Yes
(PGMEA)
Ethylene Glycol Mono
Butyl Ether Acetate No
(EGBEA)
Diethylene Glycol n-Butyl
No
Ether Acetate (DEGBEA)

Alcohols as Solvents for Coa ngs

Alcohols are both hydrogen donors and acceptors giving them a very good solva ng power for polar
resins. As the length of the hydrocarbon chain increases their solva ng power for polar resins
decreases. Of course the posi on of the OH group has also an influence.

Small alcohols are soluble in water but miscibility falls off as the hydrocarbon chain length becomes
longer. It is important to keep in mind that alcohols can react with isocyanates and thus, can interfere
with the drying process of such coa ngs. This effect can be reduced by using secondary or ter ary
alcohols.

» See All Suitable Alcohol Solvents for Paints and Coa ngs

Ethanol, a high evapora on solvent, able to dissolve very polar resins but unable to dissolve very
non-polar film formers like
Butanol, a moderate evapora on solvent widely used in many systems. Among other proper es,
this solvent is known to be able to decrease viscosity (even in small quan es) in non-polar resin Back to Top
systems like alkyds paints and in some waterborne coa ngs

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3/16/2021 Solvent in Paints and Coatings: Types, Uses and Properties

Solva ng
Power/
Solva ng Evapora on Solubility in
Ability to Tox/eco-tox
Subtype Power/ Rate/ Water Flammability
form Profile
Polarity Vola lity (20°C)
hydrogen
bonds
General Alcohols

Ethanol Yes

Butanol Yes

Glycol Ether Solvents

Glycol ethers are usually divided in two categories: the ones based on ethylene, E-series and the ones
based on propylene, P-series. P-series are considered less toxic than E-series. Glycol Ether solvents
have usually a slow evapora on rate, which can limit their use to some specific applica ons. However,
due to their good solva ng proper es, these solvents have the advantage of improving flow and
surface quality of the paint film.

Ethylene Glycol MonoButyl Ether, usually known as Butyl Glycol, is a very versa le solvent. It has a
higher (even if very slow) evapora on rate than most of other glycol ethers and is widely used in
both solvent-borne and waterborne coa ngs.

Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether; its moderate evapora on rate and full miscibility with water make
it a strong candidate for lots of coa ng systems.
Dipropylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether is a very slow evapora ng solvent making it a very good
coalescing agent.

Solva ng Power Evapora on Solubility Tox/eco-

Solva ng Power
Subtype / Ability to form Rate/ in Water Flammability tox
/ Polarity
hydrogen bonds Vola lity (20°C) Profile
Ethylene
Glycol MonoButyl No
Ether (EGBE)
Ethylene Glycol
Mono- n-propyl Yes
Ether (EGPE)
Diethylene Glycol
Monobutyl Ether No
(DEGBE)
Dipropylene Glycol
Mono Methyl Ether No
(DPGME)
Propylene Glycol
Mono Methyl Ether Yes
(PGME)
Propylene Glycol n-
No
Butyl Ether (PGBE)
Dipropylen Glycol n-
No
Butyl Ether (DPGBE)

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3/16/2021 Solvent in Paints and Coatings: Types, Uses and Properties
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