PAINT TECHNICAL TRAINING

CORROSION CELL

CURRENT-CARRYING ELECTROLYTE
(SEAWATER, SOIL, ETC.)

ANODE (CORRODING AREA)

CATHODE (NONCORRODING AREA)

IONIC PATH
schematic of a corrosion cell

CATHODE

ELECTRON

ANODE

REACTION

PATH

REACTION

Corrosion cell will stop if any reaction or path is stopped

NEW PIPE

OLD PIPE

ANODE

CATHODE
-OTHER CELLS

TANK DRAINAGE

POOR

POOR

GOOD

PAINT BEHAVIOUR OVER SURFACE IRREGULARITIES

IRREGULARITY

SHARP CORNERS & EDGES

INSIDE CORNERS

PROBLEM

INSUFFICIENT THICKNESS

CRACKED OR
SPONGY COATING

CORRECTION

GRIND TO 1/4 IN.

MINIMUM RADIUS

FILLET WELD & GRIND

TO 1/2 IN. MINIMUM
RADIUS

INSUFFICIENT THICKNESS
CRACKED
OR SPONGY

PROJECTIONS

PITS

CREVICES

GRIND FLUSH

FILL WITH WELD METAL

& GRIND FLUSH

ENTRAPPED AIR

GALVANIC SYSTEM OF CATHODIC PROTECTION

METAL RECEIVING PROTECTION

CURRENT-CARRYING ELECTROLYTE

GALVANIC ANODES

IMPRESSED CURRENT SYSTEM OF CATHODIC PROTECTION

(-)

METAL RECEIVING PROTECTION

CURRENT-CARRYING ELECTROLYTE

REMOTE ANODE GROUND BED

(+)

RECTIFIER

PAINT IS A BARRIER FROM

Sun
Oxygen
Salt
Water

PINPOINT RUSTING

RUSTING WILL OCCUR HERE

STEEL

COATING

STEEL

INHIBITION BY ZINC PRIMER

INHIBITIVE COATING CONCEPT

Break in coating to steel surface

Moisture absorbtion into film

(moisture previous coating)

Moisture allows zinc to ionize

Ionization of inhibitor

Cathodically protecting steel

Reaction with steel surface

Tight adhesion prevents

coating undercut

ZN ++

Passive layer

2nd organic
topcoat

2nd coat

1st organic
topcoat

1st coat

Inorganic zinc
permanent primer

STEEL

Inhibitive primer

STEEL

THREE COMPONENTS OF PAINT

SOLVENT
RESIN
PIGMENT

SOLVENT

VEHICLE

RESIN

FILM
SOLIDS

PIGMENT

FUNCTION OF PIGMENT
Provide opacity
Provide colour
Improve weather resistance
Increase paint adhesion
Decrease moisture permeability
Control gloss

WET PAINT

VEHICLE

SOLVENT

PIGMENT

RESIN

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

PIGMENT

PIGMENT

RELATIONSHIP OF PAINT RESIN/PIGMENT

RATIO TO GLOSS
HIGH-GLOSS

SEMI-GLOSS

FLAT

SOLVENT*

SOLVENT*

SOLVENT*

RESIN

RESIN

PIGMENT

PIGMENT

PIGMENT

RESIN

RESIN

RESIN
PIGMENT

PIGMENT

HIGH
MODERATE
RESIN/
RESIN/
PIGMENT
PIGMENT
* Amount of solvent may vary greatly

RESIN

PIGMENT

LOW
RESIN/
PIGMENT

WET
PAINT

CURED
PAINT

CROSSSECTION
OF CURED
PAINT

A PAINT FILM MUST BE:

SUBSTRATE

Easy to apply
Continuous and uniform
Tightly adhering
Impermeable
Weather resistant

THREE METHODS OF PAINT CURING

Air oxidation
Solvent or water evaporation
Chemical reaction of components

AIR OXIDATION OF PAINTS

LIQUID
DRYING OIL

OXYGEN

SOLID FILM OF
DRYING OIL

PROPERTIES OF AIR DRYING COATINGS

Generic (chemical) type

Properties

Oleoresinous

Good wetting; generally soft and slow drying

cannot be used in immersed zone

Alkyd

Good wetting; may be hard or soft; cannot be

used in immersed zone

Silicone alkyd

Improved durability and gloss; cannot be used

in immersed zone

Phenolic

Can be used in immersion service

CURING OF LACQUERS AND WATER EMULSIONS

SOLID RESIN
IN SOLVENT
OR WATER

EV
AP
O

RA
TIO
N

SOLVENT FUMES
OR WATER VAPOR

SOLID RESIN
UNCHANGED
CHEMICALLY

PROPERTIES OF COATINGS THAT CURE BY SOLVENT

OR WATER EVAPORATION
Generic (chemical) type

Properties

SOLVENT BASED COATINGS

Vinyl (polyvinyl chloride)

Good water, limited solvent resistance;

easily touched-up or topcoated

Chlorinated rubber

Good water, limited solvent resistance;

durable easily touched-up or topcoated

Coal tar and asphaltic

Soft; black; of limited use, frequently on

mechanically cleaned surfaces

Polyvinyl butyral

Used exclusively in pretreatment (wash)

primers for drying oil and vinyl coatings

WATER BASED COATINGS

Acrylic

Used in atmospheric area only; poor wetting

Polyvinyl acetate

Same as acrylic

CURING OF PAINTS BY CHEMICAL REACTION

LIQUID

LIQUID

LIQUID

RESIN A

RESIN B

RESIN A-B

PROPERTIES OF CHEMICAL REACTING COATINGS

General (chemical) type

Properties

Epoxy

Good water and chemical resistance; chalk

freely; difficult to topcoat

Coal tar epoxy

Excellent water resistance; black only;

difficult to topcoat

Urethane

Good water and solvent resistance, aliphatic

urethanes weather well in sunlight; difficult
to topcoat

Polyester

Frequently used with glass fibres to give

tough, water resistant coating or glass
flakes to impart abrasion resistance

Inorganic zinc

Good abrasion resistance; used in

pre-construction primers; topcoated for use
in immersed zone

COATING PROPERTIES RELATED TO CHEMISTRY

Mechanism and time of curing

Performance in different environments
Performance on different substrates
Compatibility with other coatings
Ease of top coating and repair
Flexibility and toughness
Application properties
(wetting, build, pot life etc.)

THE TOTAL QUALITY OF A COATING SYSTEM

IS ONLY FOR 50% DEPENDING ON THE PAINT
ITSELF.

75% OF PAINT FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY

IMPROPER SURFACE PREPARATION.

SURFACE PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS

Proper construction
Proper degree of cleanliness
Proper profile height (texture)

REPAIRS/MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED BEFORE

SURFACE CLEANING
Steel

welding, cutting, grinding of welds

and edges, filling crevices

Wood

replacement, cutting, nailing

Concrete/Masonry

patching, filling cracks and pores

Plastic

cutting, bonding

RULE OF THUMB
The profile height of steel should be between
1/2 and 2 1/2 mills and never more than
one-half the primer dry film thickness

Rz PROFILE VALUE

Z1

Z2

Z3

Z4

Z5

COMMON METHODS OF CLEANING SURFACES

FOR PAINTING
Hand and power tools
Flame
Solvent
Steam
Water blast
Abrasive blast

FLAME CLEANING
300 F, loosens mill scale, old paint
Follow with wire brushing or scraping
Warms and dries surface
Slow: 15 - 35 linear feet per minute
Wear goggles, gloves, helmet
Remove all sources of flammable gases

SOLVENT WASHING
Removes oil, grease, dust
Use clean rags
Turn and replace often
Replace solvent for final rinse
Wear goggles and gloves

BLASTING HAS LIMITATIONS

Removal oil/grease
Removal thermoplastic materials
Dust problems
Chemical waste

CLEANING METHOD

CONTAMINANT

Solvent cleaning
Steam

Grease / Salt / Dirt

Oil / Weldmarks

Waterblasting

Marine growth / Loose paint

Hand or power tools

Loose mill scale / Weld flux /

Loose rust / Weld splatter /
Loose paint

Flame cleaning followed

by wirebrushing

Rust
Loose mill scale /
some tight millscale

Abrasive blasting

All visible rust / Tight paint

Tight mill scale / Foreign matter

RECOMMENDED CLEANING METHODS FOR

VARIOUS SUBSTRATES *
Wood

sanding after scraping loose paint

Plastic

sanding after scraping loose paint

Concrete/Masonry

careful waterblasting

Steel

abrasive blasting generally preferred over

mechanical cleaning

Aluminium/Tin/Copper/Brass/Galvanized steel
mechanical cleaning or brush off blast;
pretreatment (wash) prime

* Solvent wash to remove oil or grease

CRITERIA FOR COATING SELECTION

Desired coating properties
Nature and condition of substrate
Basic function of coating
Limitations of time, space, equipment, etc
Significant environmental factors

STEEL PAINTING COSTS

SURFACE
PREPARATION
PAINT
APPLICATION

PAINT
MATERIAL
40 - 55%

35 - 45%

10 - 15%

COATINGS COMMONLY USED ON WOOD

Substrate

Paint

Comments

Interior wood

Oil

Slow drying and relatively soft

Alkyd

May be hard or soft

Latex
(vinyl or acrylic)

Can be applied over oil, alkyd or

latex primer

Oil

Good wetting; slow drying; soft

Alkyd

Good wetting; other properties may

vary

Silicone Alkyd

Good wetting and gloss

Latex

Poor wetting; easily applied and

cleaned up

Exterior wood

(vinyl or acrylic)

COATINGS COMMONLY USED ON MASONRY AND

CONCRETE SURFACES
Interior masonry,
plaster, and
wall board

Acrylic latex

Exterior concrete,
and masonry

Acrylic latex

Vinyl latex
Chlorinated rubber

Easily applied; must remove

all loose chalk
Same as acrylic latex
Good for waterproofing
Fill coats will reduce water
penetration

Vinyl latex
Same as acrylic latex
Chlorinated rubber, Good for waterproofing, for
Vinyl, Epoxy
concrete in corrosive
conditions

COATINGS COMMONLY USED ON IRON AND

STEEL SURFACES
Substrate
Interior iron
and steel

Paint
Alkyd
Vinyl
Epoxy
Urethane

Exterior iron
and steel

Comments
Not for immersed surfaces
Good water, poor solvent resistance
Good durability and chemical
resistance
Good durability and chemical
resistance

Alkyd
Silicone Alkyd

For mild and marine environments

Same as Alkyd, better gloss
retention

Inorganic zinc

Topcoated with epoxy for

seawater immersion, tankcoatings

Vinyl
Epoxy
Urethane

Good durability, easily touched up

Good durability, chalks in sunlight
Aliphatic type has good weathering

ALKYD
Advantages
One-package coating

Disadvantages

Good exterior durability

Poor chemical and solvent

resistance

Moderate cost

Poor water resistance

Good flexibility

Poor resistance to
alkalinity

Excellent adhesion to most

surfaces, including poorly
prepared surfaces
Easy to apply
Good gloss retention

LATEX (Acrylic or Vinyl)

Advantages
Moderate cost
Good flexibility
Easy to apply, topcoat, repair
Environmental acceptability

Disadvantages
Limited durability outside
Poor chemical and solvent
resistance
Poor immersion resistance
Curing temperatures must be
above 50 F

BITUMINOUS
Advantages

Disadvantages

Low cost

Poor weathering properties

Good moisture barrier

Good corrosion protection
Good film build

Black color only

Poor solvent resistance

VINYL (Acrylic)
Advantages

Disadvantages

Rapid drying and recoating

Poor solvent resistance

Excellent durability

Low film build per coat

Excellent durability
Very good gloss retention
Applicable at low temperatures

CHLORINATED RUBBER
Advantages

Disadvantages

Rapid drying and recoating

Poor solvent resistance

Fair chemical resistance

Poor heat resistance

(158 F)
Poor gloss retention

Good water resistance

Good durability
Applicable at low temperatures
Easy to repair

EPOXY
Advantages
Excellent chemical and
solvent resistance
Good water resistance
Very good exterior durability
Hard, slick film
Excellent adhesion
Excellent abrasion resistance
Good caustic resistance

Disadvantages
Two-package coating - limited
potlife
Curing temperatures must be
above 50 F
Poor gloss retention
Film chalks on ageing
Roughening up required for repair

COAL TAR EPOXY

Advantages
Excellent resistance to
fresh and salt water
Good film build
Excellent resistance to
aliphatic petroleum products

Disadvantages
Chalking
Topcoating may present problems
(tar bleeding)

POLYURETHANE

Advantages
Excellent gloss retention
Can be applied at low
temperatures
Excellent durability in
exterior exposure
Recoatable

Disadvantages
Gloss drop with high humidity
during drying
Two component - limited pot life
High cost
Personal protection required

ORGANIC ZINC
Advantages
Excellent corrosion protection
Provides "galvanic" protection
Easier to topcoat than inorganic
zinc (less porous)
One or two-package depending
upon organic resin

Disadvantages
High cost
Spray application only
Constant stirring necessary
during application
Not suitable for acidic or
caustic service
Zinc salts to be removed

INORGANIC ZINC
Advantages
Excellent corrosion protection
Excellent exterior durability
Excellent heat resistance
Provides "galvanic" protection
properties
Provides "permanent" primer
capability when used in conjunction
with proper topcoats and/or
maintenace practices
Excellent solvent resistance

Disadvantages
High cost
Spray application only; skilled
applicators required
Not suitable for acidic or
caustic service
Requires careful selection of
tiecoats and topcoats
Drying influenced by
humidity - depending on type
Constant stirring necessary

FACTORS AFFECTING SELECTION OF

METHOD OF COATING APPLICATION
Characteristic

Brush

Roller

Spray

Speed
Ease of application
Simplicity of equipment
Safety
Material conservation
Portability
Versatility
Initial economics
Long range economics
Hiding power
Uniformity

fair
fair
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent
good
excellent
fair
good
poor

good
good
excellent
excellent
good
good
fair
excellent
fair
fair
fair

excellent
poor
poor
poor
poor/good*
poor
excellent
poor
excellent
poor/good*
good

* varies with equipment and operator

METHOD
(square feet applied per 8 hour day)
Brush

1.000

sq. ft.

Roller

2 -

4.000

sq. ft.

Air Spray

4 -

8.000

sq. ft.

Airless Spray

8 - 12.000

sq. ft.

THREE FACTORS AFFECT PAINT VISCOSITY

Solvent / solids ratio
Paint temperature
Paint mixing

TEMPERATURE VS. VISCOSITY

VISCOSITY (SECONDS)

80

50

30

20
0
50

70

95

TEMPERATURE ( F)

125

MIXING AND THINNING PROCEDURE

One-package paints
Two-package paints

: type and amount of thinner to be used, if any

: ratio of catalyst to base paint,
induction time, and pot life

PROPER OVERLAPPING TECHNIQUE

Overlap strokes by 50% for uniform film build

PROPER STROKING TECHNIQUE.......

SECTIONING A LARGE SURFACE
18" - 36"

4" overlap

18" - 36"

18" - 36"

4" overlap

Divide a long surface area into sections 18" - 36" wide

PAINT INSPECTION DUTIES

Inspection of materials
Inspection of surface preparation
Inspection of paint application
Final inspection for acceptance

PROPER STORAGE OF PAINT

NO
Flames
Sparks
Direct sun

YES
Temperature control
Stock rotation
On pallets
Ventilation

Oil or grease contamination

Poor adhesion creates areas where

moisture vapour can condense or the
vapour pressure in the void may be
greater than exterior water pressure
causing blisters and eventual coating
disruption

STEEL

BUBBLE OF TROUBLE
PAINT BLISTER FORMED BY SOLVENT ENTRAPPED BETWEEN COATS

VAPOR FROM SOLVENT TRYING TO ESCAPE

PRIMER COAT

TOP COAT

STEEL WALL

SECOND COAT

SURFACE PREPARATION SPECIFICATIONS

SSPC-Guide to Vis 1

Pictorial surface preparation

Standards for painting steel surfaces

SSPC-Guide to Vis 2

Standard method of evaluating degree of

rusting on painted steel surfaces

SSPC-SP

Solvent cleaning

SSPC-SP

Hand tool cleaning

SSPC-SP

Power tool cleaning

SSPC-SP

White metal blast cleaning

SSPC-SP

Commercial blast cleaning

SSPC-SP

Brush-off blast cleaning

SSPC-SP

Pickling

SSPC-SP 10

Near-white blast cleaning

APPEARANCE OF THE COMPLETED SURFACE

The surface shall be roughened to a degree
suitable for the specified paint system
The completed surface shall be cleaned to a
grey-white metallic colour. The appearance of
the surface may be affected by the particular
blasting abrasive used
Uniformity of colour may be affected by the grade,
original surface condition, and configuration of the
material being cleaned, as well as by discolourations
from mill or fabrication marks, and the shadowing from
blast cleaning patterns
SSPC-Vis 1 or other visual standards of surface
preparation agreed upon by the contracting parties
may be used to further define the surface

SURFACE PREPARATION SPECIFICATIONS FOR

ABRASIVE BLAST CLEANED STEEL
Surface

Visual
standard
SSPC-Vis 1

NACE
Spec.

SSPC-SIS
SSPC-spec.

Description

White metal

SSPC-SP 5

CSa3

Grey-white colour
100% free of oil,
grease, dirt, rust,
mill scale and paint

Near white

SSPC-SP 10

CSa2

Only very light

shadows, streaks or
discolouration.
(At least 95% free)

Commercial

SSPC-SP 6

CSa2

At least two-thirds
free of visible
residues

Brush-off

SSPC-SP 7

CSa1

Only tight mill scale

and tightly adhering
rust after blasting

FOUR RUST GRADES OF UNPAINTED STEEL

Adherent mill scale
Rusting mill scale
Rusted
Pitted and rusted

HAND
TOOL
POWER
TOOL
COMMERCIAL
BLAST
NEAR WHITE
BLAST
WHITE
BLAST
0

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

TOTAL COST IN DOLLARS PER SQUARE FOOT

OTHER STEEL STRUCTURES PAINTING COUNCIL

SURFACE PREPARATION SPECIFICATIONS
SSPC
specification

Spec.no.

Intended use

Solvent cleaning

SSPC-SP1

Removal of oil, grease, and other

soluble materials prior to removal
of mill scale, rust, and coating by
other methods

Hand tool
cleaning

SSPC-SP2

Removal of loose mill scale, rust and

coating by hand sanding, scraping,
chipping or other impact tools

Flame cleaning
of new steel

SSPC-SP4

Preparing unpainted steel with

oxy-acetylene flame followed by wire
brush removal of loosened mill scale and
rust

Pickling

SSPC-SP8

Preparing metal surfaces for coating by

removal of mill scale and rust by
chemical reaction, electrolysis or both

STEEL SURFACE PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS

FOR COMMONLY USED COATINGS
Coating type

Minimum surface preparation

Drying oil
Alkyd
Oleoresinous Phenolic
Coal tar
Asphaltic
Vinyl
Chlorinated rubber
Epoxy
Coal tar epoxy
Urethane
Organic zinc
Inorganic zinc

Hand or power tool cleaning (SSPC-SP2 or 3)

Commercial blast (SSPC-SP6)
Commercial blast (SSPC-SP6)
Commercial blast (SSPC-SP6)
Near white or commercial blast (SSPC-SP10 or 6)
Near white or commercial blast (SSPC-SP10 or 6)
Near white or commercial blast (SSPC-SP10 or 6)
Near white or commercial blast (SSPC-SP10 or 6)
Near white or commercial blast (SSPC-SP10 or 6)
Near white or commercial blast (SSPC-SP10 or 6)
Near white or commercial blast (SSPC-SP10 or 6)
White or near white (SSPC-SP5 or 10)

COMPRESSOR HP

COMPRESSOR CAPACITY CFM

RATING

(electric drive)

15
20
25
30
40
50
60
75
100

50
70
90
up
up
up
up
up
up

to
to
to
to
to
to

70
90
105
130
170
210
260
320
420

NOZZLE PRESSURE
100 psi

CLEANING RATE
100 % (Standard for comparison)

90 psi

82 % approx.

80 psi

78 % approx.

70 psi

60 %

60 psi

50 %

PRESSURE LOSS IN AIRHOSE DUE TO FRICTION

HOSE SIZE, LINE
COUPLED
PRESSURE
END
PSI

3/4"

1 inch

1-1/4"

CFM FREE AIR PASSING THROUGH 50 FT. LENGTHS

40
60
100
120
150
80
LOSS OF PRESSURE PSI*

60
80
100
110

1.2
0.8
0.6
0.5

2.8
1.9
1.4
1.3

5.2
3.6
2.7
2.4

8.6
5.8
4.4
3.9

8.8
6.6
5.9

11.1
9.9

60
80
100
110

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3

1.2
0.8
0.6
0.6

2.0
1.4
1.0
0.9

3.3
2.0
1.5
1.3

7.2
3.5
2.4
2.1

60
80
100
110

0.2
0.1
-

0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2

0.6
0.4
0.3
0.3

1.0
0.6
0.4
0.4

1.0
0.7
0.6

* Pressure drops for other lenghts in direct proportion to change in length

RULE OF THUMB
Bigger and shorter are the key to blast hose
efficiency.
If a choice must be made between having a short
air hose or a short blast hose, choose
the short blast hose.

RIGHT EXTERNALLY-FITTED QUICK COUPLING

WRONG INTERNALLY-FITTED COUPLING

RULE OF THUMB
A loss of pressure at the nozzle of only 10 PSI
means a 15% loss in production

RULE OF THUMB
Choose the smallest grain size which can remove
the contaminant on that particular surface.
Bigger is not better here.

RULE OF THUMB
It only takes one spray painter to keep up
with four blasters

AIR SPRAY FEATURES

Finest atomization & finish
Versatile
Easy to use

POWER SOURCE
Electric
Gas
Air

AIRLESS SPRAY FEATURES

Reduced overspray & bounce-back
Increased production
Material savings
Labor savings
Energy savings
Improved coverage

TYPICAL AIRLESS TIP SELECTION

Paint type

Orifice size

Pressure

Acrylic, modified

.013 " tip

2200

Chlorinated rubber

2200

Epoxy polyamide

.013
.015

Vinyl, copolymer
Epoxy, amine

.015
.017

- .017
- .021

2000
2200

Phenolic, modified

.019

- .025

2200

Antifouling

.021

Inorganic zinc

.023

- .029

900

Organic zinc

.026

- .031

900

Coal tar epoxy

.031

psi

2000

2000

2400

- 1800
- 1800

EXTERNAL IONIZATION
CHARGED PROBE

ELECTROSTATIC SPRAY FEATURES

Increased transfer efficiency
Fewer passes
Wrap around edges & irregular surfaces

Lower material usage

Fewer rejects
Reduced labor
(greater productivity)

SAFETY HAZARDS IN PAINTING OPERATIONS

High places
High pressures
Flammable materials
Toxic materials

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN
SURFACE PREPARATION
Acids
Alkalis
Steam
Particulate matter in blasting dusts
Lead and other toxicants from old paint in
blasting dust

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN
PAINT APPLICATIONS
Flammable solvents
Toxic pigments (lead, chromium, etc.)
Toxic or allergic resins (urethane, epoxy, etc.)

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CONCENTRATIONS

OF SOLVENT VAPORS (MAC)
Type of
solvent
Acetone
Alcohols
Butyl
Ethyl
Isopropyl
Methyl (Wood)
Benzene (Benzol)
Carbon Tetrachloride
Cellosolve
Butyl Cellosolve
Cellosolve acetate
Methyl cellosolve
Methyl cellosolve acetate
Cyclohexane
Cyclohexanone

Threshold limit
value (TLV)*
1000
100
1000
400
700
25
10
200
50
100
25
25
300
50

* For 8 hours exposure; PPM by volume in air

Type of
solvent

Threshold limit
value (TLV)*

Cyclohexene
Enamel thinner
Ethylene dichloride
Methylene chloride
Methylene ketone (MEK)
Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)
Mineral spirits
Naphta, coal tar
Naphta, V.M & p.
Perchloroethylene
Toluene (Toluol)
Trichloroethylene
Turpentine
Xylene (Xylol)

400
200
50
500
700
100
500
200
500
100
200
100
100
200

RESPIRATORS

Protection from:

During:

Dust

Sandblasting

Rust, dirt, scale particles

Abrasive blast cleaning

Toxic fumes from paints

or solvents

Flame cleaning
Solvent cleaning

FLASHPOINT AND EXPLOSIVE LIMITS OF PAINT SOLVENTS

Type of solvent
Acetone
Alcohol, butyl
Alcohol, ethyl
Alcohol, isopropyl
Benzene (benzol)
Carbon Tetrachloride
Cellosolve
Cellosolve, acetate
Cellosolve, methyl
Cyclohexane
Cyclohexanone
Cyclohexene
Ethylene dichloride
Methylethyl ketone (MEK)
Methyl isobutyl ketone (MEK)
Mineral spirits
Naphtha, V.M. & P.
Toluene (toluol)
Trichloroethylene
Turpentine
Xylene (xylol)

Average
flash point
degrees F
- 4
115
60
67
12
none
135
130
120
32
129
22
70
35
75
105-110
40-60
45
none
95-100
80

Explosive limits
% by volume in air
Lower

Upper

2.8
1.5
3.3
2.5
1.5
(non-flammable)
2.6
1.7
-1.3
1.1
-6.2
1.8
1.2
0.7
0.8
1.4
(non-flammable)
0.8
1.0

12.8
11.2
19.0
12.0
8.0
16.0
--8.0
--15.9
11.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
6.7
none
5.3

GROUNDING
Spray gun
Object being painted

TARGET FOR SAFETY PROGRAM

Complete safety training
Use of safety equipment
Available emergency services
Constant worker vigilance

Chemically
drying
binder agent
+ solvent

Wet coat
of paint

Beginning
drying
(+ solvent
vapour)

THE SUBSEQUENT CHEMICAL REACTION CAN TAKE PLACE IN

THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
B
B
B
B
B

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

with the aid of oxygen from the atmosphere

with the aid of heat
with the aid of a hardener
with the aid of a catalyst
with the aid of moisture from the atmosphere

Dry coat
of paint
(with newly
formed macromolecule)

PHYSICALLY DRYING PAINT

(schematic illustration)

BINDING AGENT

WET COAT OF PAINT

SOLVENT

PAINT

DRY COAT OF PAINT

(+ SOLVENT VAPOUR)

SOLVENTS / THINNERS
Generic
type
Aliphatic
Aromatic

Petrol
White spirit
Xylene
Toluene
Naphta's

)
Bitumen
)
)
) Bit and tar
)

Alcohols

MethylEthylPropylButyl-

Ketones
Esters

Acetone, MEK, MIBK

Methyl-, EthylPropyl-, Butyl-

Ethers

Glycolethers

TYPE OF PAINTS
Epoxies
Polyurethanes
Chlorrubbers
Vinyls
Alkyds
ACID

+ ALCOHOL

ALCID

ALKYD

BINDER FUNCTIONS
Adhesion
Gloss
Viscosity
Protection
weather
water
chemicals
Mechanical properties:
strength
flexibility
hardness
Filmforming

Small molecules
low viscosity

Large molecules
high viscosity
Small molecules, little binding
Poor film forming capacity
Linear macromolecules. Good binding
good elasticity. Hard at room
temperature, plastic on heating

Thermoplastics

Elastomers

Thermosetting plastics

Linear macromolecules with a single

cross-linkage. Good binding, good
deformability. Rubbery at room
temperature, on heating sometimes
plastic, mostly unchanged
Net-shaped macromolecules with many
cross-linkages. Good binding, great
robustness, not deformable. Hard at
room temperature, unchanged on heating