Surface coating products or paint is a specific branch of the chemical manufacturing Industry. This branch is split into five sectors solvent-based paints, water-based paints, varnishes/clear coating, printing inks, and resins.
Solvent-Based Paint
Solvent-based, or oil-based, paints include industrial and household paints. They vary based on their purpose and applications. The strong odor emitted from these paints are because of the high levels of solvents in them. The odor is caused by the evaporation of solvents from the drying paint. Due to the toxicity of these fumes the market for these paints is slowly dwindling due to the advances in modern paint.
Water-Based Paint
Water-based paint accounts for 80% of residential paint sales in the United States. They are used to paint building and home interiors or exteriors. The majority of solvent based paints are being reformulated into water-based paints. Water-based paints are safer to work with and manufacture. Water-based paints are more ecofriendly because they do not contain heavy metals or produce hazardous fumes as they dry.
Varnishes/Clear Coat
Varnishes and clear coats are primarily used to protect wood. After drying the varnish produces a strong, thick, glossy coating. This prevents the wood from warping, water damage, scratching, and splintering. Varnish is available in virtually any shade including clear. Varnishes come in natural forms like shellac, synthetic polymers, and resin based lacquers.
Printing Ink
Printing Ink is made primarily from combining pigments, varnishes, and modifiers. The modifiers in inks set them apart from other coatings. These include quick driers to prevent smearing and wax which prevents the ink from transferring to other pages. The raw materials are mixed and then put into a grinder in a liquid form. This ensures that larger particles are crushed to the smallest possible size and dispersed evenly throughout the ink.
Resin
Resins are used in the coatings industry primarily as additives. They are especially useful for water proofing, electrical varnishes, and anticorrosive barriers. They can be subjected to high temperatures without being damaged. They are applied to ferrous and non-ferrous substrates. They provide strong adhesion to any surface.
