Construction Materials

and Engineering

Module - II
 Paints
A liquid Surface coating material
Applied on surfaces of timber, metals & plastered surfaces
On drying paint forms a thin film on the painted surface
 Functions of paints
Act as a protective coating against climatic changes

For pleasing appearance

Check/stop penetration of water

Check the formation of bacteria and fungus

Check corrosion of structures

Provides smooth surface for easy cleaning.

Properties of an Ideal Paint
It should be possible to apply easily and freely.
It should dry in reasonable time.
It should form hard and durable surface.
It should not be harmful to the health of workers
It should not be easily affected by atmosphere.
It should possess attractive and pleasing appearance.
It should not crack and should be cheap
It should possess good spreading power.
Ordinary paint hardens by oxidation
Ingredients in paints

Base
Vehicle (Carrier)
Drier
Pigment
Solvent
1 Base

Solid fine substance which forms bulk of paint

Principal constituent forming the body of paint
Determines character and durability of paint
Eg: White lead
Red Lead
Zinc White (Oxide of Zinc)
Oxide of Iron
Titanium white
Lithophone
2 Vehicle (Carrier/binder)

Liquid substances holding ingredients of paint

Defines the spreading power of paint
Eg: Linseed oil
Tung oil
Poppy oil
Nut oil
3 Drier

To accelerate process of drying and hardening

While hardening driers absorb oxygen from
atmosphere and transfers it to linseed oil.

Eg: Litharge
Red lead
4 Pigments

Ingredient which provide colours to paint

Pigments available in form of fine powders.
Available in different colours and qualities.
Eg: Black  Add Graphite
Green  Copper Sulphate
Red  Red lead
5 Solvent (Thinner)

Makes the paint thin and helps for easy application

Not used in finishing coats (damage to firmness)
Have high penetration power
Eg: Turpentine
Naphtha
Benzene
 Types of Paints
1. Aluminium Paint 9. Enamel paint
2. Anti-corrosive Paint 10. Graphite paint
3. Asbestos paint 11. Inodorous paint
4. Bituminous paint 12. Luminous paint
5. Cellulose paint 13. Oil paint
6. Cement paint 14. Plastic paint
7. Colloidal paint 15. Silicate paint
8. Emulsion paint 16. Synthetic rubber paint
1 Aluminium paint

Contain finely ground aluminium in spirit/ oil varnish

Oil/spirit evaporates and thin film layer forms on surface
It is visible in darkness
High corrosion resistance – commonly used for metals
High spreading power – 200 m2/Litre
Uses: for painting gas tanks,
radiators, oil storage tanks
2 Anti-corrosive paint

Consist of oil and strong drier

Resist corrosion well
It is Cheap and black in colour
Durable – last for a long duration
3 Asbestos paint

Applied to surfaces exposed to acidic gases and steams

4 Bituminous paint

Manufactured by dissolving asphalt or

vegetable bitumen in oil or petroleum
It is black in colour
Used for painting under water iron works.
5 Cellulose paint

Prepared from nitro cotton, celluloid sheets and

photographic films
Hardens by evaporation (not by oxidation) of thinner
Hardens quickly
Can withstand extreme cold and hot
Can be washed & cleaned easily
Widely used to aint motor vehicles
6 Cement paint

White cement + pigment + accelerator + additives

Available in dry powder form
Mixed with water immediately before its application
Water proof and durable
Applied in two coats
Requires less skill
7 Colloidal paint

Requires more time to settle

High penetration power
No inert materials is mixed in this paint
Used for interior and exterior walls
8 Emulsion paint

It contains binding materials such as polyvinyl acetate,

synthetic resins, etc
Easy to apply
Dries quickly (1.5 – 2 hours)
High alkali resistance
9 Enamel paint

White lead + Oil + Petroleum spirit + resins

Available in different colours
Dries slowly and form hard and durable surface
Not affected by acids, alkalies, gases,
hot and cold water, steam, etc
For good appearance,
titanium white is also added
10 Graphite paint
Black colour
Applied on iron surfaces
Used in mines and underground railways

11 Inodorous paint
No turpentine is used in this paint
White lead (or Zinc white) + Spirit
Not durable, but dries quickly.
12 Luminous paint
Contains calcium sulphide and varnish
Shines after the light is off

13 Oil paint
Ordinary paint
finishing coat
Applied in 3 coats undercoat
Cheap and easy to apply Primer
14 Plastic paint
Contains necessary variety of plastics
Good appearance- showrooms, auditoriums, etc

15 Silicate paint
Silica + resinous materials
High temperature resistance
Not affected by alkalies
16 Synthetic rubber paint

Prepared from resins

Good resistance to water
Easy to apply on surfaces
Good chemical resistance
 Preparation of paint
Paste 1 = Base + Vehicle = Muller
1 Muller is prepared by grinding base and vehicle
to the consistency of a paste in a stone pestle

Paste 2 = Pigments + Linseed oil

2 Mix the pigments and linseed oil separately
using wooden puddle to form second paste

Paste 3 = Drier + Linseed oil

3 Mix drier and linseed oil separately to
form third paste
 Preparation of paint
Mix three pastes
4 The mixture is stirred continuously till a
consistency cream is obtained

Sieve the mixture

5 This cream is passed through fine sieves and
paint is now ready to use

Control workability
6 To increase workability/consistency, oil or
thinners are added
 Stage - 1 Base + Vehicle = Muller
Linseed oil, pigments

Stage - 2
Mixing & Grinding
Driers, chemicals, linseed oil

Stage - 3
Stir continuously
Consistency cream
Dilution

Sieve

Paint
Application of paint - factors
Make the surface ready for application of paint
Surface to be painted should not be oily
Cracks should be filled with putty & then with sand paper
Apply one coat of primer
Painting work should be carried out in dry weather
The under coats and first coats must be allowed to dry
before final coat is applied
 Plastics
Plastic is an organic substance
It consist of natural or synthetic binders/resins
Capable to flow when heated (Plasticity)
Can be moulded into required size and shape
 Classification of Plastics
Behaviour Phy & mech
Structure
w.r.t heating properties
1. Thermo-plastics 1. Homogeneous 1. Rigid plastics
2. Thermo-setting 2. Hetrogeneous 2. Semi-rigid plastics
plastics 3. Soft plastics
4. Elastomers
 Behaviour w.r.t heating
Thermoplastics Thermo-setting plastics
Softens on heating Cannot be reused
Hardens on cooling
Reversible - reusable Chemical reaction in this process
Formed by Addition cannot be reversed
polymerization
Formed by condensation
Have long chain polymerization
molecular structure
Eg:- Electrical equipments, switches
Eg:- Nylon 6 (Bakelite)
Characteristics and properties
Good appearance
1 Available as transparent, opaque, attractive,
stable and translucent colours
Good chemical resistance
2 Offers great resistance to moisture, chemicals
and solvents.

3 Sufficient dimensional stability

Sufficient ductility
4 Members may fail without warning
Characteristics and properties
Good durability and weathering resisitance

Good electrical insulation

Low weight and good finishing
Good fire resistance
Can be easily fixed in position

Easy maintenance, cheap and can be recycled

 Uses of plastics
PVC Pipes - fixtures
Utensils, bottles, etc
Bath and sink units
Corrugated and plain sheets
Floor and wall tiles
Overhead water tanks
Safety glass
Electrical conduits
Wire insulations
Pen coverings
Lighting fixtures
Concrete curing sheets
 Advantages of plastics
over other building materials

Offers great resistance to moisture, chemicals and solvents.

Good durability
Plastic possess good insulating properties
Can be easily fixed in position
Weight of material is low compared to others and cheap
Have high tensile strength
Require no maintenance. Occasional cleaning only required
Can be mould into any shape without cracks
Limitations of using plastics on environment
Harmful to the nature - pollution
Causes environmental degradation
Burning of plastics causes health hazards – toxic fumes
Have low melting point  Fire hazard
Plastics usually have short useful life compared to metals
Non renewable - Cost of recycling is high.
Threat to animal life  suffocation
PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride
Synthetic plastic polymer
Formed by polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer
Applications
1. Pipes and ropes
2. Electric cables
3. Construction works
4. Flat sheets
5. Clothing
6. Flooring
Characteristics and properties
Rust proof, thermal proof and water proof
Provide alternative to wood in many cases
Resist dust penetration
Unaffected by coastal saline air and dry heat
Available in different colour and shade
They don't fade, corrode, flake or warp
Require no maintenance. Occasional cleaning only required
Better thermal insulator
 Rubber
Polymers capable of undergoing large deformations
under load and returning to their original shape

Uses
1. Conveyor belts
2. Linings of tanks
3. Automobile tyres
4. Gasket of doors and windows
5. Ropes and wires
6. Cycle tyres and tubes
7. Footwears, etc
 Types of rubber
Natural rubber Synthetic rubber

Obtained from latex Also called as artificial rubber

Poly Butadiene Rubber (PBR)
Poly Isoprene Rubber (PIR)
Synthetic Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
Characteristics and properties
It can adsorb shocks due to impact
It can contain liquids and gases
It extends in length as result of applied force
It is bad conductor of heat
Good flexibility
Resists abrasion
Great resistance to acid and petroleum products
Can undergo great deformation without structural damage
 Aluminium
Ore: Bauxite (Al2O3.2H2O)
Good conductor of heat and electricity
Highly resistant to corrosion
Have good scrap value
Light weight and takes more load
Specific gravity = 2.7
Possess great toughness and tensile strength
It readily dissolves in Hydrochloric acid
Aluminium used for building construction
Doors and windows – airtight/ AC buildings
Hand rails and balusters
Paneling and false ceiling works
Building facades
Furnitures
Aluminium fabrication works
Body parts of equipments
Facades
 Glass
Super cooled solution of various metallic silicates
having infinite viscosity.

Melting point = 800 – 950oC

 Properties of glass
Available in beautiful colours
Hard and extremely Brittle
Amorphous – no definite crystalline structure
Transparent or translucent
Can absorb, refract, reflect and transmit light
Has no sharp melting point - range
 Properties of glass

It is an excellent electrical insulator

Not easily attacked by chemicals
Possible to weld glass pieces by fusion
It is affected by alkalies
Not usually affected by water or air
 Uses of glass
Furnitures, lampshades, bathroom fittings
Vehicle glasses and goggles
Medicine bottles
Furnitures, lampshades, bathroom fittings
Photographic developments
Prisms, lenses, mobile screens
Laboratory equipments
 Types of glass
1 Soda Lime glass
2 Potash Lime glass
3 Potash Lead glass
4 Common glass
 1. Soda Lime glass
Also known as soda glass
Sodium silicate + Calcium silicate
Fuses easily
Uses:
Manufacture of glass tubes
Window glass
Plate glass
Laboratory equipments
 2. Potash Lime glass
Also known as Bohemian or hard glass
Potassium silicate + Calcium silicate
Difficult to fuse – high temperature needed
Uses:
Combustion tubes
Glassware for heating operations - bulbs
 3. Potash Lead glass
Also known as Flint glass
Potassium silicate + Lead silicate
Fuses easily, lustre, and great refractive power
Uses:
Manufacture of artificial gems
Electric bulbs
Lenses, prisms
 4. Common glass
Also known as Bottle glass
Sodium silicate + Calcium silicate + iron silicate
Fuses with difficulty
Uses:
Medicine bottles
Types of glass used for glazing

1 Floating glass
2 Laminated glass
3 UV resistant glass
4 Reinforced glass
5 Reflective glass
 1. Floating glass
Most widely used type of glass
Monolithic and highly transparent
Produced by flowing molten glass over a bath
of molten tin and slowly cooling
Uses:
Windows, doors, etc
 2. Laminated glass
Made by sandwiching two glass plates with a
high resistance plastic skin in between.

Uses:
Facades, balconies, guard rails,
partitions, showcases, floorings
 3. UV Resistant glass
Resist UV rays entering rooms
Uses:
Laboratory and research spaces

4. Reinforced glass
Reinforced with steel mesh to make it stronger
Uses:
Partition walls, external walls, ocean walls
 5. Reflective glass
Ordinary float glass with a metallic coating
Reflects and creates a mirror effect
For providing aesthetic appearance

Uses:
Façade glazings
 Special varieties of glass
(Glass used for Structural applications)

1 Bullet proof glass 8 Perforated glass

2 Fiber glass 9 Safety glass
3 Float glass 10 Shielding glass
4 Foam glass 11 Soluble glass
5 Glass blocks 12 Structural glass
6 Heat excluding glass 13 UV ray glass
7 Obscured glass 14 Wired glass
Miscellaneous materials
1 Abrasives 6 Cork
2 Adhesives 7 Plaster of Paris
3 Asbestos 8 Acoustic materials
4 Asphalt 9 Fiber glass
5 Bitumen 10 Thermocole
 1. Abrasives
Hard materials used to cut/shape/polish
other materials
Natural abrasives and synthetic abrasives
• Diamond • Carbide of Aluminium
• Garnet • boric acid
• Emery • silicon
• Sandstone
• corundum
Forms – Sand paper, stones, grinding paste with oil
 2. Adhesives (Glues)
To join or create bond b/w two or more
materials so as to form a single unit.
Examples of adhesives
1.Albumin glue
2.Animal protein glues
3.Glues from natural resins
4.Glues from synthetic resins
5.Starch glues
6.Vegetable glues
 3. Asbestos
Naturally occurring fibrous mineral substance
Composed of hydrous silicates of calcium and
magnesium with small amount of iron oxide
and alumina.
Can be cut into pieces, holes can drilled
Excellent insulator of heat and electricity
Good adsorption capacity – asbestos cement
Uses: Roofing, pipes, brake linings, gaskets
 4. Asphalt
Mechanical mixture of alumina, lime, silica and
asphaltic bitumen
Types: Natural and Residual (Artificial)
Black or brownish-black in colour
Remains in solid state at low temperature
Becomes liquid at 50oC to 100oC
Water/fire/sound/acid proof
Uses: Water proofing floors and roofs, DPC,
Swimming pools, roads and pavements
5. Bitumen (Mineral tar)
Binding material present in asphalt
Obtained by fractional distillation of crude petroleum
It is chemically a hydrocarbon
Insoluble in water, but completely soluble in
carbon bisulphide, chloroform, naphta, etc.
Black or brown in colour
Uses: Water proofing floors and roofs, DPC,
Swimming pools, roads and pavements
 6. Cork
Obtained from bark of oak trees
Uses:
• For preparing cork sheets & boards
• Bottle stoppers
• Packing gaskets
• Cork carpets as floor coverings
(Churches, theaters, etc – noiseless covering)
 7. Plaster of Paris
Produced by heating gypsum to 150oC
𝟏
CaSO4.2H2O → CaSO4. H2O + 1.5H2O
𝟐
Can be easily shaped when wet
White colour and in powder form
Uses:
• For aesthetic appearene
• Wall panels, casting works
• Ceiling works, acoustics
 8. Acoustic materials
Sound absorbent materials used to proof sound
Acoustics of rooms, studios, theatre halls
Eg:- Acoustic plaster, perforated plywood, mats
Absorbs sound and prevents echo in the room
Uses:
• Acoustics of rooms
• Sound systems in studios
• Theatre halls
• Commercial centers
 9. Fibre glass
Composed of minute glass rods
Soft and flexible in nature
Water/sound/fire/vermin/acids proof
Uses:
• Thermal insulations
• Sheets
• Fibre Glass Reinforced Plastics (FGRP)
 10. Thermocole
A type of plastic - Polystyrene
Light weight and white colour
Cushioning property
Can be moulded to desired shape easily
Used for acoustics in ceiling works
Uses:
• Sound insulation in auditorium and theaters
• Cushion for various equipments
• Craftworks and model preparations
 Wood products
Major wood products are

1. Veneer
2. Plywood
3. Particleboard
4. Fibreboard
5. Hardboard
1. Veneer

Thin sheets of wood of superior quality

Thickness = 0.4 mm to 6 mm
Obtained by rotating a log of wood against a
shark knife of rotary cutter
Dried in kilns to remove moisture
Process of preparing a sheet of veneer is
known as veneering.
Veneers are used to produce plywood's,
batten boards, and laminboards.

Glued on the surface of inferior wood to

create an impression that whole piece is
made of expensive timber
2. Plywoods
Ply means thin layer
Veneers placed in both longitudinal and transverse
directions  more strength
Suitable adhesives are used to held in position
Available in different commercial sizes
Used for:

1. Ceilings
2. Doors
3. Furniture
4. Partitions
5. Paneling walls
6. Formworks of concrete
3. Particle board

Formed by breaking down real wood residuals

into wood fibers and glued back together with
special resin by applying high temperature and
pressure
Light in weight
Used for making
readymade furniture
4. Fiberboard (Pressed/reconstructed wood)
Rigid boards
Thickness = 3 mm to 12 mm
Not able to take loads
Used for:

1. Interior decorations
2. Doors
3. Partitions
4. Panel works
5. Hardboard

Wood pulp is pressed under

high temperature and water is removed.
Sheets are smooth on one side and textured on
other side
Thickness = 3 – 9 mm