SOLUTIONS AND DISPERSIONS Solutions A solvent is a liquid, which will dissolve another material, liquid or solid. A solute is the material dissolved by the solvent. ‘A solution is the resulting liquid. Salt and water, sugar and water are solutions, a.binder and 4P) solvent are also a solution. = varnibh- Dispersions A paint consists of solid particles suspended in the vehicle, where there is no solubility, so a aint is a dispersion. A dispersion can be either a solid or liquid dispersed within another liquid, where there is no solul il ty. ) lye A suspension ‘A suspension is when fine particulate solids, e.g. pigment and extenders are dispersed within a liquid, the vehicle. Ideally after the manufacturing process, each particle should be completely wetted by the vehicle. | However because the pigment particles are so small, they cluster together to form agglomerates\ or aggregates.) In some paints, especially gloss, the size of these aggregates is a very important factor ato has to be checked. The aggregate size is known as Degree of Dispersion of Fineness of Grind. An emulsion An emulsion is a liquid dispersed in another liquid when ‘there is no solubility. In vinyl or acrylic emulsion, very tiny droplets of resin are suspended within water, which can now be seen to be a non solvent. In an emulsion water is a carrier, not a solvent. Water is called the continuous phase, and oil/resin is called the dispersed phase. Grade 572 Rev | April 2008 WORLD CENTRE FOR Solutions & Dispersions 5 Zar Marzeais sons Copyright © 2003, TWI Lid TECHNOLOGYPainting Inspection Grade 3/2. Rev I April 2004 “EWI worupcenrac rox Solutions & Dispersions 52 Car MEAs Copyright © 2003, TWI Ltd TECHNOLOGY