WATER BORNE COATINGS ‘Compliant’ is a term often used nowadays and refers to a material, which complies with COSHH Regulations and EPA requirements. Progressively, year by year, stricter regulations are brought into force regarding solvent emissions into the atmosphere. For example a 60% vs paint using a hydrocarbon solvent will release 400 ce of solvent into the atmosphere for every one litte of paint applied irrespective of thinners added and cleaning solvents used. Hydrocarbon compounds are known to be harmful to the environment, the ozone layer, and human life, Paint ‘manufacturers have therefore taken steps to comply with these requirements by using altematives, in the form of Solvent Free, High Volume Solids, and Water Borne. Many binder types can now be modified to use water among them being, a) Alkyds b) Epoxies ©) Polyesters, 4) Polyurethane ©) Vinyls fH) Acrylies 8) — Silicones Every material has advantages and disadvantages, Water as a solvent, poses no problems with cumpatibility over any other material but may prove problematic for adhesion. Abrasion will almost certainly be required, but generally the following will appertain. Advantages 1 Water is of a suitably low viscosity for any application method, brush, roller or spray. 2 Water is recyclable cheap, abundant, non-toxic and non flammable. 3 Water is not harmful to environment. the ozone layer ar to mankind 4 Water can be applied over any existing binder type with impunity. 5 In good conditions several coats can be applied in one working day. icadvantages 1 Water usually needs a small amount of a co-solvent for modification, 2 Inperiods of high humidity drying will be retarded. 3 Needs controlled storage conditions, in low temperatures certain components may come out of solution. 4 Not as versatile as HC’s for application windows. Painting Inspection Grade 3/2. Rev 1 April 2004 TWI wopcaaeror Water Boe Coatings 81 GZgp NATERALS SONING Copyright © 2003, TWILid ‘TECHNOLOGY