Paint and varnishes

Paint

INTRODUCTON:-
This paints are (coating of materials) applied over the surface of timber and metals as
protective coatings. Metals will corrode, wood will warp and decay, concrete and masonry may
retain corrosive dust and finally disintegrate unless they are protected by some sort of coatings. In
additions, coating of paints also serves the purpose of decoration, sanitation and improved
illumination.

Functions of Paints
The functions of applying coats of paints to the surfaces of timber, iron or steel and plaster
work in the engineering field are as follows:
1. To protect the surfaces from the weathering effects of the atmospheres and actions by
other liquids, fumes and gases.
2. The provide pleasing, colorful and decorative appearance to the surfaces.
3. To prevent decay of wooden members (by rot).
4. Te prevents correction of metallic surface.
5. To provide a smooth surface for easy cleaning.

Constituents of an Oil Paint and their Functions:-

Following are the constituents / ingredients of an oil paint:

1. A base 2. A vehicle
3. A pigment 4. A thinner
5. Drier 6. Inert filler
7. Anti-skimming. 8. Plasticizers

1. Base: The base is a principal constituent of paint and possesses the binding properties. The
commonly used bases are: White lead, zinc white, red lead, iron oxide, titanium white and
lithopone.
The base performs the following functions:
1. It gives body to the paints.
2. It reinforces the film of paint after it has dried i.e. makes the film of the paints harder and
more resistant to abrasions.
3. It minimizes shrinking cracks usually formed in drying.
4. It prevents penetration of the paint to the underlying surface.

2. Vehicle: Vehicle or carrier is the liquid which carries solid materials of base helping them
to
spread evenly on the surface to be painted. It is also known as the drying oil. It acts a binder to the
base and pigment and allows it to apply. It should dry out on exposure to atmosphere.
The various vehicles are: Linseed oil, soybean oil, dehydrated castor oil, fish oil,
casein, latex emulsion, varnishes etc.

The vehicle performs the following functions:

1. It holds the pigments on the surface.
2. It forms the protective film by evaporation of by oxidation and polymerization of the
unsaturated constituents of the drying oil.
3. It acts as binder for the base and the pigment.

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4. It provides glow to the painted surface.

3. Pigment: A coloring pigment or strainer is a finely divided solid material which provides
required shade and color to the paint. The best pigments do net change their color when exposed
to heat.
Following are the functions of a coloring pigment in an oil paint:
1. It provides required shade and color to the paint.
2. It reduces the intensity of development of cracks due to drying of the vehicle.

4. Thinner: A thinner, solvent or diluents is a volatile substance that is added to the paint to
make its application easy and smooth.
Thinners perform the following functions
1. They dissolve the film forming material.
2. They suspend pigments.
3. They thin the concentrated paints for proper handing.
4. They evaporate quickly and thus facilitate the drying of paint.
5. Drier: A drier is a substance which acts as catalyst and quickens the drying of the vehicle
used in the paint.
Drier used are heavy metallic soaps such as napthenates, reasonates, octates, linoleats etc.
of Co, Mn. Pb and Zn. Quantity used is very little.

6. Inert filler: It is an adulterant usually mixed in a oil paint (i) to modify its weight, (ii) to
improve its durability and (iii) to effect economy in the cost of base used.
The commonly used fillers are: Silica, charcoal, barites, gypsum etc.

7. Anti-skinning Agent: Anti-skinning agents are used to prevent gelling and skinning of the
paint. These are generally polyhydroxy phenols.

8. Plasticizer: Plasticizers are used to give elasticity to the film and they minimize or prevent
cracking. Some oils are used as plasticizers.

Preparation of an Oil Paint:-

The preparation of an oil paint involves the following steps:
1. The base (usually white lead is first thoroughly ground in the vehicle (linseed oil) so as to
from a thick paste.
2. The thick paste is then thinned down by adding a suitable quantity of the thinner/solvent
to impart necessary workability to the paint.
3. The coloring pigment well ground and thorough mixing is done to get the required paint.
Grinding in roller mills is an important operation in the mixing if paints.
While preparing an oil paint following precautions should be observed: -
(i) All the ingredients should be properly mixed so as to avoid spots on the work to be
painted.
(ii) Drier should not be added to paint until it is about to be paint.
(iii) Excess of drier should not be used in the paint as it injures the paint.
(iv) The use of more than one kind of drier in the same paint should be avoided.
(v) In order to avoid to the discoloring of litharge (oxide of lead), Sulphate of manganese is
frequently used with zinc paints.
Characteristics of a Good paint:-
Following are the characteristics of a good oil paint.

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 Paint and varnishes

1. It should be able to resist the atmospheric conditions to which it will be put.

2. It should have high hiding power and the required color.
3. It should dry fairy quickly.
4. It should form a tough, elastic and durable film when dry.
5. It should resist corrosion when applied on a metal.
6. It should not crack on drying.
7. The film produced by the paint should be glossy and washable.
8. Paint should have necessary consistency for a particular purpose for which the paint is to
be used.
9. It should be fluid enough to be spread evenly in a thin coat with a brush.
10. It should not show brush marks after drying.
11. It should be free from defects of chalking, cracking and blistering.
12. It should have lasting pleasing appearance.

Types of paint:-
1. Oil Paints:

It is generally applied in three coats namely: Primes, undercoats and finishing coats.
It possesses good opacity and low gloss.
Oil paint should not be applied during humid and damp weather.

2. Aluminum paint:
Aluminum paint consists of aluminum powder suspended in spirit varnish or oil varnish.
Following are the advantages of aluminum paint:
Heat resisting.
Visible in darkness.
Does not corrode in sea water or in acidic atmosphere.
High electrical resistance.
Impervious to moisture.
provides goods appearance to the surface.
possesses a high covering capacity.
Uses: The aluminum paint is widely used for painting radiators, hot water pipes, gas tanks,
marine piers, oil storage tanks etc.

3. Asbestos paint:
This a peculiar type of paint.
It is applied on the surfaces which are exposed to the acidic gases and steam.

4. Bituminous paint:
* It is prepared by dissolving asphalt of vegetables bitumen or mineral pitches in any type
of oil or petroleum.
* It presents a black appearance.
* Employed for painting ironwork under water.

5. Cellulose paint:
* It is prepared from nitro-cotton, celluloid sheets, photographic films etc.
* It hardens by evaporation of thinning agent.
* It has not affected by contact with hot water. The surface can stand extreme degree of
cold and hot.

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* It presents a flexible, hard and smooth surface.

6. Cement paint:

* A cement paint consists of cement and hydrated lime mixed along with a coloring pigment.
* Composition of cement paint: White cement = 60 to 75%; hydrated time = 10 to 20%;
hydroscopic salt (calcium or sodium chloride) = 4 to 5%; coloring pigments = up to 8%.
* An inert filler (sand) is often added to make the point economical.
* Cement paints are available in power form and require mixing only in water before use.

7. Colloidal paint:
* In this type of paint inert material is mixed.
* It requires more time to settle in the process of settlement. It penetrates through the surface.
Uses: colloidal paints may be used for interior as well as exterior walls.

8. Emulsion paints:
* It consists of polyvinyl acetate and synthetic resin as binding materials.
* It is easy to apply and dries quickly (in about 1.5 to 2 hours).
* The paint possessed excellent alkali resistance.
* The color of the paint is retained for a long period.
* The surface of paint is tough and it can be cleaned by washing with water.
Uses: These paints are mostly employed for painting steel and woodwork which is to be built in
masonry.

9. Enamel paint:
* Enamel paint consists of white lead or zinc white ground in a small quantity of oil and
mixed with petroleum spirit and resinous matter.
* Proprieties:
i) It dries slowly and forms a hard and durable surface.
ii) It is not affected by cold and hot water.
iii) It is little costlier but economical in the long run.
iv) It is resistant to steam, fumes, acids and alkalis.
v) It is durable and forms tough, elastic and glossy films.
Uses: Employed for painting door and window frames and protecting timber and other wood-based
products. These paints are used for both external and internal works.

8. Anti-corrosive paints:
* It consists of oil and a strong drier.
* A pigment (such as chromium oxide or lead or red lead or zinc chrome) after mixing with
some quantity of sand is added to the paint.
Proprieties:
i) It has a black appearance.
ii) It is durable.
iii) It is cheap.

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 Paint and varnishes

VARNISHES:-

Definition of varnish:-

* A varnish is a colloidal dispersion of solution of synthetic or natural resin in oil or in thinner

or in oil and thinner both.
* A transparent of semi-transparent solution of resinous substance either in linseed oil,
turpentine or alcohol is called varnish.
When varnish is applied on the surface, it gives a transparent film; the film dries up by
evaporation, oxidation and polymerization of portions of its constituents. If only thinner is used
for dissolving the resin, then film dries up by evaporation only. However, if oil is also present, the
film dries up due to oxidation and polymerization of drying oil and evaporation of thinner.
Varnishes are modified for the paints and differ from paints in the following two aspects:
i) Varnishes have no pigments.
ii) In varnishes a part or whole of the oil is substituted by resin.

Function of varnish:
1. To protect the painted surface from the effects of weathering agents.
2. To brighten the appearance of the grain in wood.
3. To provide brilliancy to the painted surface.

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