The Use of Industrial Paints Today

The official definition of paint is that it is a liquid, liquefiable of composition of mastic (adhesive) solutions which, after being applied in a thin layer to a 'substrate', is converted into an opaque and solid film. It may be stating the obvious if one was to say that paint is most commonly used to colour, protect or provide texture to surfaces or objects, however, if one was to think of the many items that paint is applied to: ranging from walls, cars and canvas, it is only logical that there are many different variations and types of paint that are used for their different purposes. For example, the paints sold in hardware stores to be applied to household walls will naturally have a different chemical makeup to children's face paint, as the former would require a far greater degree of water resistance in order for it to be suitable for its purpose.

One such difference between the types of paint is the means by which it is applied. In the case of industrial paints for example, paint is applied in the form of a solid and further in the form of a very fine powder before being baked at a very high temperature. The intense heat then melts the powder and causes it to adhere (stick) to the surface to which it has been applied. The reasons for applying paint in this manner (commonly known as 'Powder Coating') involve the chemistries of the paint, the surface itself and possibly even the chemistry of the overall object being painted (the substrate) itself!

The application of industrial paints in this form has several advantages when compared to the traditional and conventional liquid paint approach. For example, powder coating emit little or no Volatile Organic Compounds (also known as VOC's) which are chemical compounds that have significant vapour pressures which may prove harmful to the environment as well as having adverse effects on human health. Other advantages of powder coating as a means of painting include the fact that this method can result in much thicker coating of paint being achieved without running or sagging, as would occur with the use of liquid paint. Also, the fact that coating overspray can be recycled means that powder coating can result in nearly 100% of the coating being effectively used, an advantage for any industrial firm in these times when austerity measures are required.