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Many of the objects that we encounter in our day-to-day lives are painted. We define paint as a pigmented coating that, when applied to the exterior of an object, provides protection and/or decoration to the underlying substrate.
While paint is used on many types of materials – from brick walls to stained glass windows – there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the correct formulation for a specific application. One look in your average hardware store will quickly tell you how many types of paint exist; paint may be water- or oil-based, it may dry down to a matt, gloss or satin finish, or it may even be designed to prevent condensation or corrosion.
Take a look at the two images above. On the left we have a watercolour painting. The artist is primarily interested in the aesthetic of the paint – the opacity and intensity of the pigments, how different pigments layer and mix, and the textures they produce. On the right we have a car. Although the mechanic is also interested in the overall aesthetic of the paint, they are particularly invested in its durability and resistance to oxidation and weather damage. Understanding the components that make up a paint and the effect that its properties have on performance is an entire industry in itself. In fact, as of 2020, it is estimated that the global paint and coating industry generates roughly $160 billion a year in revenue!
What is paint made of?
The main chemicals that comprise a paint can be split into four basic categories:
- Pigments
- Binders (Resins)
- Solvents
- Additives
Pigments are coloured, insoluble compounds which give paint its colour and opacity.
Each pigment absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects all others, producing the colour that we see. There are inorganic pigments, such as cobalt blue and chrome yellow, as well as organic ones like carmine and crimson. Inorganic pigments are made from metals or metallic salts and are often derived from natural minerals or ores. They typically provide long lasting and bright colour. Organic pigments are based on carbon chains, which can be obtained from animals and plants, but are more commonly synthesised from carbon-containing raw materials like natural gas or petroleum.
Binders, or resins, are the adhesives that “glue” pigments to a surface to form a film. The binder forms a matrix in which the pigment particles are dispersed evenly throughout. Although often used interchangeably, a dye is dissolved in a solvent whereas a pigment is held in suspension, so they are very different substances to chemists!
Binders may be natural or synthetic and are separated into two categories: oil/alkyd-based and water-based (e.g. acrylic and latex). Binders are responsible for many of the protective and decorative properties of the coating. Therefore, the type and concentration of binder helps to determine the performance of a paint. A high-quality paint contains a high concentration of binder. This not only improves adhesion, but forms films that are more resistant to cracking and blistering. Certain binders can even provide resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light and abrasion.
While binders allow pigments to stick to surfaces, they are typically made from viscous chemicals that are difficult to work with. Imagine trying to coat a fence with a paint that has the consistency of honey! Solvents, also known as diluents or thinners, are added to reduce the viscosity of the paint. The combination of binder and solvent are collectively known as the vehicle of the paint. The solvent is volatile – it evaporates as the paint dries, leaving behind a film of pigment held in place by the binder. High-quality paints contain a higher ratio of solids (pigment/binder) to liquid (solvent), forming thicker, more durable films once dried. The solvents are aqueous or organic depending on the whether the paint is water- or oil-based.
Additives are chemicals added to paint formulas to give them extra desirable properties. Just small amounts can have a huge impact on the final product. There are dozens of common additives – which ones are used depends on the purpose of the paint. For decorative paints, additives are used to improve the appearance or texture, whereas paint for industrial use typically needs resistance to environmental conditions like temperature and UV light. Emulsifiers, defoamers and thickeners are all frequently used. Outdoor coatings for metallic surfaces contain anti-corrosives which help with longevity, and adding biocides can prevent paint spoilage by microorganisms. The use of these additives allows the paint and coatings industry to create hundreds of different products for a variety of different purposes.
Bringing Chemistry to Art
It is estimated to be 40,000 years ago that caves were first painted by tribes across the world to tell stories and mark territories. The paints used were made with organic pigments from plants and animals as well as inorganic pigments from minerals in the earth, held together by very simple binders like water and saliva. As time progressed, a huge variety of paints were developed from these humble beginnings. For example, tempera paint (a fast-drying, smooth paint made of powdered pigment and egg yolk) is thought to have been developed by the Ancient Egyptians.
Although tempera is still used today, oil paint surpassed tempera in popularity during the Early Renaissance roughly 600 years ago. The production of different pigments was also widespread during this period because painters were often alchemists (early chemists) who would create their own paints by studying the chemistry of colour. It was these artists who discovered many of the pigments that we are familiar with today, including ultramarine and cadmium yellow, using analytical and experimental synthesis. Versatile synthetic paints such as modern acrylics are now widely used in a variety of industrial applications, by artists, and even by those of us who buy poster paint from the local craft store!
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