What Makes a Protective Coating?

Protective coatings are one of the most widespread methods for protecting different surfaces.
While protective coatings serve several purposes, they are primarily used to decorate and
control corrosion of surfaces when exposed to various environments.

To control corrosion, the protective coating must remain intact on the surface of any material.
The resistance, performance and durability of industrial coatings depends on the types and
quantities of ingredients used.

Coating and paint manufacturers use specialty elements to perform in a specific set of
environments, which shape the characteristics of paint products. Here are five basic
components that make up protective and industrial coatings.

Binders
Binders act as adhesives in protective and industrial coatings. They promote the chemical
bonding between the elements of a paint film and ensure perfect adhesion to substrates.

The primary role of a binder is to convert itself from a liquid state to a solid state after being
applied. Moreover, it should promptly convert, while preventing the transmission of chemicals,
water, or oxygen.

Alkyds, epoxies, and urethanes are the most common binders. Depending on the type of
binder, protective coatings will attain the strength, durability, chemical resistance, corrosion
resistance, moisture resistance, UV resistance, and elasticity needed for each industrial painting
application.

Additives
Additives are liquid substances that are added to improve the properties of protective coating.
The additives respond to specific problems like dying, defoaming, UV-resistance, wetting and
more.

They are primarily used to restrain corrosion, prevent the coating from deteriorating in the tin,
stop foaming paint, and give a smooth surface paint. Fungicides, algaecides, silicones,
dispersants, surfactants, etc. are some common additives.
Pigments
Nowadays, different organic and inorganic pigments are used in coloring coating products.
Pigments are dry powders, which are to be mixed in the paint by a dispersion technique. The
main purpose of pigments is to make protective coatings more effective.

Some industrial coatings carry specially produced functional pigments, which are known as
effect pigments. They are mixed in a layered arrangement to secure surfaces against corrosion,
moisture and weathering processes. They also prevent damage to industrially coated products
during their entire lifecycle.

Zinc phosphates are widely used as pigments in anti-corrosive paints. Moreover, it’s very
important to choose the correct binder that is used along with the pigments as it can
dramatically impact the performance of industrial paints.

Solvents
Solvents are substances put in a binder to reduce the volatility of coatings for better and easier
application. They ensure proper consistency, which makes it easy to apply. The solvent or water
evaporates during the curing process. The other elements harden into a smooth and resilient
film of paint.

The most common solvents are water, xylene, and white spirit. They are only used in wet
paints. EPA levies strict regulations on solvents as they seek to reduce the release of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere.

Extenders
Extenders give texture to the coating. They also impact the way light reflects from the coated
surface. Some commonly used extenders are clay, barium sulphate, talc, and calcium
carbonate.

Conclusion
All these components make protective and industrial coating effective, durable, and long-lasting
under several environmental conditions.