Paint Pigments - What they are and how they are used in Piant
All You Need to Know About Paint
Paint Pigments
Pigments are fine powdered solids which provide the colour and opacity (hiding power) of the paint
They help the film former with substrate protection, for example calcium plumbate inhibits rust on ferrous metals
Pigments can often contribute to the durability of the paint
Pigments are obtained from:
Chemically treated metals - eg. Iron oxide a yellow or red, it is used in all finishing paints, Titanium dioxide, white, is used for interior paints.
Coloured Earths - eg Yellow ochre and burnt umber are used for all types of paints.
Treated chemical compounds - eg. Prussian blue, this is used for oil/alkyd paints.
Extenders (extender pigments)
Extenders are solid components of paint. They are finely ground natural materials, most commonly earth, and they have no effect on the colour of the paint, but they do alter some properties.
They have many varied functions:
Provide easier application of the paint
Provides greater adhesive properties
Provides roughness in the film (i.e. undercoats)
Gives body to the paint, increases bulk in the coating
Prevents heavy pigments from settling out
Provides a greater water resistance
Flatten bases
Reduces the cost of paints
Increases the hardness of the paint film
Solvents (or Thinners)
These are colourless liquids that are included in the paint (or clear finish) and work on the binder to thin the quality of the paint. This dilutes the coating and improves the ease of application and increases penetration of the product. The solvent then evaporates after application during the drying out process.
Examples of solvents:
White spirit - used with oil and oil/resin paints
Ethers - used with cellulose resins and synthetic finishes
Water - used with cement and emulsion paints
(Thinners, mineral turps, solvents, methylated spirits, alcohols and acetates).
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