Long-Term Performance
of Architectural Coatings
Hylar 5000S PVDF
®
Architectural coatings may look similar when first
applied; however, after years of exposure to nature and
time, coatings based on Hylar ® 5000S PVDF exhibit out-
standing resistance to UV, humidity, color change, chalk,
gloss loss and chemicals. Their superior performance
delivers unsurpassed protection and ensures a long-last-
ing, durable finish.
Coating properties vary widely among manufacturers
and generic categories. In this bulletin, Solvay Specialty
Polymers has compared what we consider typical
average properties of common systems as determined
by a review of literature, published reports and
internal evaluations. Because of the wide variety within
categories, products are available that are either better
or worse than the average ratings we have listed. In any
case, the supplier of any specific material should be the
source of definitive information about its products. This
document serves as a guideline only.
The data shown in Figures 1–5 and Table 1 was
generated with Hylar ® 5000. The new generation
Hylar ® 5000S is expected to have parallel performance.
Color and Gloss Retention
When properly formulated using the optimal 70:30 ratio
of PVDF to acrylic resin and using inorganic pigments,
Hylar ® 5000S coatings maintain their color fastness
and gloss longer than all other architectural coatings.
PVDF’s superior ability to resist degradation caused by
outdoor exposure is illustrated in Figures 1 through 3.
Changes in color and gloss reported here are averages
taken from panels of various colors from multiple
commercial applicators.
Chalking Resistance
Chalking is the formation of a powdery surface
condition resulting from the destruction of a coating’s
binder, which is caused by weathering or otherwise
Technical Bulletin SPECIALTY POLYMERS
destructive environment. As the binder is decomposed,
the pigment becomes loosely bound on the surface
and resembles chalk when the finger is rubbed over
it. The chalking rating is determined by the amount
of material removed from the surface of the coating
when rubbed (ASTM D4214), with 10 being the
highest rating. Unlike PVDF coatings, a large degree
of chalking was observed in the competitive coatings
(Figure 4).
Chemical Resistance
PVDF and other fluoropolymers are noted for their
exceptional resistance to chemicals, solvents and
other aggressive conditions. Environmental stress
from industrial pollutants, acid rain and construction
materials, such as caustic mortars, detergents or acid
washes, pose little threat to Hylar ® 5000S coatings. In
addition, PVDF coatings offer excellent resistance to
the corrosive salt found in coastal regions.
Dirt Resistance
In the consumer world, the low surface energy of
fluoropolymers has given rise to non-stick cookware.
This same surface characteristic, along with other
intrinsic properties of the coating, is utilized in
Hylar ® 5000S coating systems to reduce the attraction
and retention of residue and contamination on the
coated surface.
In addition to dirt resistance and dirt shedding
properties, Hylar ® 5000S coatings provide an easy-to-
clean surface and excellent stain resistance over time.
This reduces the need for periodic cleaning, thereby
lowering maintenance costs and enhancing long-term
appearance. Figure 5 illustrates the ease with which
Hylar ® PVDF coatings are cleaned after short-term
Florida exposure using a simple soap water wash.
 Figure 1: Color change after 45 ° south Florida exposure
10 FEVE
9 Polyester
Acrylic
8 Silicone-modified polyester
7 Hylar ® PVDF
Delta E (Cielab)

6
5 AAMA 2605 spec. max
4
3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Exposure time [years]

Figure 2: Gloss retention after 45 ° south Florida exposure

120 FEVE
Polyester
100 Acrylic
Silicone-modified polyester
Gloss retention (% )

80
Hylar ® PVDF

60 AAMA 2605 spec. max

40

20

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Exposure time [years]

Figure 3: Superior weatherability of Hylar ® PVDF coatings

Hylar ® PVDF FEVE Acrylic Glossy Polyester Plastisol Hylar ® PVDF

F-0233-GCS F-0232-GCS F-0297-GCS F-0179-GCS F-0183-NCS F-0179-NCS

Unexposed

Exposed

2 \ Long-Term Performance of Hylar® 5000S PVDF Architectural Coatings

Figure 4: Chalk rating after 45 ° south Florida UV Resistance
exposure
Of all the elements that cause architectural coatings
12 to change or fail, UV radiation is probably the most
destructive. In the presence of high moisture levels,
10 like this found in south Florida exposure sites, the
degradation caused by UV radiation is accelerated.
8 Hylar ® PVDF is transparent to and relatively unaffected
Chalk rating

by the sun’s UV radiation, which causes lower

6 performing coatings to lose their aesthetics over time.

4
Photomicrographs of test panels shown in Table 1
Hylar PVDF
®
compare the damage inflicted by the high levels of
2 Silicone polyester UV and humidity found in south Florida. Hylar ® PVDF
Vinyl plastisol
Urethane coatings are mostly unchanged, while the competitive
0 coatings show increasing amounts of degradation over
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 the 160 months of exposure.
Exposure time [years]
Performance Comparison
Figure 5: Change in lightness of washed white The information presented in Table 2 was created
coatings, 6 months Florida exposure by the National Coil Coating Association to describe
0
the performance capabilities of various coil coating
topcoats. The chart is intended to provide only general
information as a wide range of performance criteria
-1 exist within any generic coating category. Ratings are
Delta L ( CIELAB)

only for topcoats and do not include an evaluation of

primer technology.
-2
The physical properties (e.g., pencil hardness, impact
resistance, flexibility) were rated using the assumption
-3
that excellent adhesion to the substrate (for one-coat
systems) or to the primer (for two-coat systems) exists.
-4 Resistance properties (e.g., humidity resistance, salt
spray resistance) are highly dependent upon the quality
C er ne el
DF PV est tha am of the substrate, and in all cases it was assumed that
PV po
ly re En
lyu
®
lar ne Po
Hy ico adequately pretreated, first-quality substrate was used
Sil
for the evaluation.

3 \ Long-Term Performance of Hylar® 5000S PVDF Architectural Coatings

Table 1: Performance capabilities of various coil coating topcoats

Panel # 741 1000X

Silicone polyester
Blue

Panel # 745 1000X

Acrylic
Tan

Panel # 747 1000X

Anodized
Bronze

Panel # 748 1000X

Hylar ® PVDF
Blue

4 \ Long-Term Performance of Hylar® 5000S PVDF Architectural Coatings

Table 2: Comparative properties and performance chart

Solution Polyester Polyester

Properties ASTM Method Plastisol Acrylic Interior Use Exterior Use
Impact resistance D2794 5 2 3 – 5 3
Mar resistance D3363, D2197 3 4 4 4
Metal marking resistance No method 3 4 4 4
Resistance to pressure D3003 3 4 4 4
mottling in coil
Solvent (MEK) resistance D5402 N/A 4 3 – 5 5
Grease and oil resistance D5402, D1308 4 3 3 – 5 4
Stain resistance No method 3 4 3 – 5 4
Resistance to acidic/ D2248, D1308 5 3 4
caustic conditions 3 – 5
Resistance to water immersion D870 4 4 4 3
Humidity resistance D1735, D2247, 4 4 4 4
D4585, G60
Abrasion resistance D4060, D968 5 3 3 – 5 4
Resistance to industrial D1308, G87 5 3 3 3
pollution
Corrosion resistance B117, G85 4 3 4 4
(salt spray)
Flexibility/drawability D2794, D3281, 5 2 3 – 5 3
D4145, D522,
D4146
Dry heat resistance No method 5 3 4 4
Gloss retention, 10 years G7, D1014, D523 2 – 3 3 N/A 3-4
Florida, 45° south
Chalk, 10 years Florida, G7, D1014, D4214 2 – 3 3 N/A 3-4
45° south
Color retention, 10 years G7, D1014, D2244 2 – 3 3 N/A 3-4
Florida, 45° south
5 = Excellent, 4 = Very good, 3 = Good, 2 = Fair, 1 = Poor
Courtesy of the National Coil Coating Association, www.coilcoating.org

5 \ Long-Term Performance of Hylar® 5000S PVDF Architectural Coatings

Table 2 Continued: Comparative properties and performance chart

Polyvinylidene
Silicone Fluoride Acrylic
Properties ASTM Method Polyester ( PVDF ) Latex Polyurethane
Impact resistance D2794 3 4 3 4
Mar resistance D3363, D2197 4 3 3 3
Metal marking resistance No method 4 3 4 3
Resistance to pressure D3003 4 3 3 3
mottling in coil
Solvent (MEK) resistance D5402 5 3 4 3
Grease and oil resistance D5402, D1308 4 4 3 3
Stain resistance No method 4 4 3 3
Resistance to acidic/ D2248, D1308 3 4 3 3
caustic conditions
Resistance to water immersion D870 4 4 4 3
Humidity resistance D1735, D2247, 4 4 2 3
D4585, G60
Abrasion resistance D4060, D968 3 4 2 4
Resistance to industrial D1308, G87 3 4 3 3
pollution
Corrosion resistance B117, G85 4 3 3 4
(salt spray)
Flexibility/drawability D2794, D3281, 2 4 3 4
D4145, D522,
D4146
Dry heat resistance No method 4 4 4 5
Gloss retention, 10 years G7, D1014, D523 4 5 3 – 4 3 – 4
Florida, 45° south
Chalk, 10 years Florida, G7, D1014, D4214 4 5 3 – 4 3 – 4
45° south
Color retention, 10 years G7, D1014, D2244 4 5 3 – 4 3 – 4
Florida, 45° south
5 = Excellent, 4 = Very good, 3 = Good, 2 = Fair, 1 = Poor
Courtesy of the National Coil Coating Association, www.coilcoating.org

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