EXPERTS IN SPECIALTY CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING

The basic components of paints and inks are:

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a) Binders and film-forming substances – these are ingredients that are found in all types of paints, varnishes and emulsions. They create a thin film-forming coating on the surface of the painted element and are designed to give the paint appropriate properties such as gloss, durability, adhesion, resistance to weather conditions, strength and flexibility. Substances that can act as binders in paints are synthetic or natural resins, such as polyurethanes, polyesters, vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE), silanes, epoxy resins or oils,

b) Thinners – they are used to dissolve the polymer and reduce the viscosity of the binder. They are characterized by high volatility, thanks to which they evaporate easily when drying and do not become part of the paint. An additional task for thinners is to control flow properties and applications. They can also affect the stability of liquid paint. The main diluent for water-borne paints is, as the name suggests, water. Oil paints (otherwise known as solvents) usually contain combinations of various organic solvents, such as aromatic compounds (toluene or other xylene derivatives), alcohols or ketones. Polly Industries offer multiple options to optimize your production process.

c) Pigments – designed to give the paint the right colour. They appear in the form of granular solids. They can be divided into natural or synthetic pigments. The most popular natural pigments are various clays, silicas, calcium carbonate and talcs, whereas among synthetics there are calcined clays, barium sulphate (so-called blanc fixe), precipitated calcium carbonate or pyrogenic silicas. A special type of pigment are fillers. These are granular solids, which are designed to increase the volume of paint, strengthen its structure, or reduce the cost of paint production, due to the fact that they are relatively cheap. Examples of widely used paint fillers are diatomaceous earth, talc, lime, barite and clay,

d) Modifying additives – these are ingredients added in small quantities that modify the properties of paints. They can, among others, change the surface tension, improve flow properties and pigment stability, control foaming, prevent freezing. Polly Industries has been supplying a versatile range of modifying agents to this segment worldwide.

Paints – their types and application

In general, paints can be divided depending on their properties and application:

a) Emulsion paints, also known as dispersion paints. They can be divided depending on the type of adhesive used:

● Acrylic paints – their binder is water dispersion of acrylic resin. They are characterized by very good flexibility and adhesion to the substrate. Acrylic paints have a wide range of applications and can be used to cover, for example, wood, concrete, plastics, plasters and many other surfaces. They have high abrasion resistance and allow water vapor, however, the surfaces painted are susceptible to various types of damage,

● Latex paints – the binder of this type of paint is rubber. Latex paints are extremely resistant to moisture and cleaning. Their advantage is a very easy application on various surfaces. The disadvantage is usually the high price. An example of the most modern latex paints are ceramic paints. They contain ceramic particles that form the so-called stain resistant coating. Thanks to this, the walls painted with them do not absorb dirt and dust,

● Acrylic-latex paints – have the characteristics of acrylic paints, i.e. good air permeability and scrub resistance, and flexibility of latex paints,

● Vinyl paints – the binder of these paints is polyvinyl acetate or polyvinyl chloride. They are used mainly in utility rooms, and their greatest advantage is easy washability. Unfortunately, they also make it difficult for the walls to breathe due to the low vapor permeability.

b) Lime paint – the binder of these paints is lime putty diluted with water. They are cheap, but not durable. In order to increase the durability, admixtures of other water-borne adhesives (e.g. glue) or the addition of polyvinyl acetate are used. Lime paints are used for painting fresh concrete substrates, lime plasters and walls previously painted with lime paints. Currently, the use of these paints is very rare. This is due to their very low durability, dustiness and tendency to create cracks,

c) Distempers – these are durable and breathable paints with excellent solubility in water. Plant or animal glues are their binder. Distempers are not very resistant to dirt, they cannot be washed and they absorb moisture from the environment. They are mainly suitable for painting lime and cement-lime plasters. Distempers are practically no longer used because they have been replaced by more modern paints,

d) Silicate paints – their binder is potassium water glass. These paints are durable, non-flammable, resistant to moisture and have high mechanical resistance. They can be applied on brick, concrete and wooden substrates. When drying, they cure under the influence of CO2 contained in the air,

e) Silicone paints – create a durable and weather-resistant coating. They are produced based on a silicone resin. They are suitable for painting concrete, wooden, brick and plaster substrates. These paints have the ability to self-clean,

f) Epoxy paints – these are two-component paints, consisting of an epoxy resin and a hardener. Before applying, both components are mixed together. Epoxy paints show high resistance to mechanical damage and chemicals. They are used, for example, for painting concrete floors.

g) Chlorinated rubber-based paints – a binder for this type of paint is obtained by chlorination of the rubber with addition of softening agents. Chlorinated rubber-based paints formed in this way are resistant to water, acids and alkalis, but are very sensitive to all organic solvents (except alcohol). They can be used as protective paints for gates and fences,

h) Vinyl paints – they are resistant to water and various chemical compounds. Polyvinyl chloride is most often used as a binder. Vinyl paints are mainly used as coatings for materials made of galvanized steel, such as gutters and window sills,

i) Polyurethane paints – are produced based on polyurethane resins. There are two types of these paints: one and two components. One-component paints are cured under the influence of moisture, while two-component paints require the addition of a hardener. Polyurethane paints create hard and abrasion-resistant coatings. They are used for painting wooden, metal and plastic surfaces. They are characterized by very high toxicity,

j) Structural paints – this is a special type of paint that is applied to the surface with a thick layer, and then after drying it gives them a suitable pattern (structure). Thanks to these types of paints, you are able to achieve a variety of decorative wall textures. Structural paints are suitable for covering concrete, wooden, gypsum plasterboards, plasters and many others,

k) Spray and powder paints – they are used to obtain special visual effects on surfaces. They are applied to various surfaces using a gun. Thanks to these types of paints, it is possible to obtain coatings resistant to all kinds of cracks and splinters.

Varnishes – their types and description

Paints known as varnishes contain a solid binder dissolved in a solvent and are dried out as a result of its evaporation. They are widely used as materials for covering surfaces for decorative and protective purposes.

Varnishes also have the ability to quickly cure in a very wide temperature range. Varnish is a type of finish that can create transparent or pigmented coatings, where the main raw material is a hard and linear polymer. The nature and properties of varnishes are strongly dependent on the type of their structure. The most popular solvents for the production of varnishes are usually white spirits or mineral turpentine. It is possible to distinguish many types of varnishes, which can be generally divided into two groups: solvent-based and water-based.