Commonly used industry terms explained
Abrasion resistance
Resistance
to mechanical wear
Abrasive
The
agent used for abrasive blast cleaning, for example sand or grit
Absorption
Process
of soaking up, or assimilation of one substance by another
Accelerator
Catalyst,
hardener, accelerator, curing agent, reactor; a material which accelerates a
reaction
Acid Number
A
numerical index of free acid in an oil or resin
Activator
Catalyst,
hardener, accelerator, curing agent, reactor; a material which reacts with
another material to turn a liquid coating to a solid coating.
Adhesion
Bonding
strength; the attraction of a coating to the substrate
Adsorption
Process
of attraction to a surface; the retention of foreign molecules on the surface
of a substrate
Air cap
Air
nozzle; perforated housing for atomizing air at head of spray gun
Air drying
Dries
by oxidation or evaporative drying by simple exposure
Air entrapment
Inclusion
of air bubbles in paint film
Airless spraying
Spraying
without atomizing air, using hydraulic pressure
Alkyd
Resins
prepared by reacting alcohols and acids
Alligatoring
Surface
imperfections of paint having the appearance of alligator hide
Ambient temperature
Room
temperature or temperature of surroundings
Amine sweat
A
thin sticky film which forms on the surface of a epoxy coat caused by
inadequate curing temperatures and/or high humidity
Anchor pattern
Profile,
surface roughness
Antifouling
Bottom
paint; Paints formulated especially for below-water-line surfaces and
structures to prevent the growth of barnacles and other organisms on ships'
bottoms
Barrier Coat
Coat used to allow application of a paint which is not compatible with an
existing scheme
Base
Refers to the usual larger volume size of a two-pack system - usually the
non-activator part. May also refer to any bare surface to be painted
Binder
Resing, Film Binder , Vehicle
Biocide-free or
Non-toxic
Antifouling biocides are active chemical ingredients that are released from an
antifouling paint film to inhibit the settlement and growth of organisms such
as weed and barnacles on the bottom of a boat. Biocide-free paint does not contain
any active ingredients in the formulation which act in this way. Such products
control the growth of organisms by other non-chemical means, such as by
physical surface effects (e.g. non-stick surfaces, continuously eroding
surfaces), making the surface too difficult to attach to.
Bituminous
Coating
Coal tar or asphalt based coating
Blast Angle
Angle to nozzle with reference to surface ; also angle of particle propelled
from wheel with reference to surface
Blast Cleaning
Cleaning with propelled abrasives
Bleeding
Discolouration of finished paint due to migration of unwanted species through
the paint coating.
Blistering
Bubbling in dry or partially dry paint film
Blooming
Whitening, moisture blush, blushing
Body
Viscosity; middle or under (coat)
Bonding
Adhesion
Bottom Paint
Antifouling; Paints formulated especially for below-water-line surfaces and
structures to prevent the growth of barnacles and other organisms on ships'
bottoms
Boxing
Mixing by pouring from one container to another
Bridging
Forming a skin over a depression
Brittleness
Degree of resistance to cracking or breaking by bending
Brushability
Ease of brushing
Bubbling
A term used to describe the appearance of bubbles on the surface while a
coating is being applied
Bulking agent
Filler, extender ; ingredients added to paint to increase coverage, reduce
cost, achieve durability, alter appearance and influence other desirable
properties
Carbon
Footprint
A measure of the impact our greenhouse gas emissions have on the environment,
and in particular on climate change. It can be calculated for a particular
product, for a manufacturing site or for any activity we undertake. It is a
measurement of all the greenhouse gases produced in units of tonnes (or kg) of
carbon dioxide equivalent. AkzoNobel has a clear Carbon Policy setting out
targets and ambitions to be achieved by 2015 and 2020
Carbon neutral
A commonly accepted terminology for something having net zero emissions of
greenhouse gases (for example, an organisation or product). As the organisation
or product will typically have caused some greenhouse gas emissions, it is
usually necessary to use carbon offsets to achieve neutrality. Carbon offsets
are emissions reductions that have been made elsewhere and which are then sold
to the entity that seeks to reduce its impact. In order to become carbon
neutral it is important to have a very accurate calculation of the amount of
greenhouse gas emissions which need to be offset – requiring calculation of a
carbon footprint
Catalyst
Hardener, activator, accelerator, curing agent ; a material which starts a
reaction but is not actually consumed in that reaction
Cat-eye
Hole shaped like a cat's eye; cratering
Cathodic
Protection
Corrosion prevention by sacrificial anodes, usually a zinc alloy
CFC or
Chlorofluorocarbons
These are materials which traditionally had many applications, such as use as
propellants in aerosols and as coolants in refrigeration units. Known to
deplete the ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere , most uses have been
severely restricted or banned under international treaties e.g. Montreal
protocol
Chalking
Powdering of surface
Checking
Slight V-shaped breaks appear in a paint film due to uneven shrinkage through
the cross section of a coat of paint
Chipping
1. Cleaning steel using special hammers
2. Type of paint failure
Chlorinated
Rubber
A particular film former used as a binder made by chlorinating natural rubber
Cissing
Fish eyes; small causer-like depressions in a paint film
Cleaner
Solvent for cleaning paint equipment
Coat Tar Epoxy
Paint
Paint made of a combination of coal tar with epoxy resin
Coat Tar
Urethane Paint
Paint made of a combination of coal tar with urethane resin
Cobwebbing
Premature drying causing a spider web effect when spraying, (paint dries before
it hits the substrate)
Color Retention
Ability to retain original colour
Compatibility
Ability to mix with or adhere properly to other components
Copper-free
Copper is used in antifouling paint as a biocide. Copper-free paint does not
contain any copper (either as a pigment or as part of the polymer)
Corrosion
Decay; oxidation, deterioration due to interaction with environments
Coverage Rate
Non technical number that tells you how much area you can paint with a given
volume of material
Cracking
Splitting; disintergration of paint by breaks through film
Cratering
Formation of holes or deep impressions in paint film
Crawling
Shrinking of paint to form uneven surface
Crazing
A pattern of tiny cracks in the surface of a gelcoat
Cross-linking
A particular method by which chemicals unite to form films
Curing
Hardening
Curing Agent
Catalyst, hardener, activator, accelerator, reactor ; a material that reacts
with another to convert a liquid coating to a solid coating.
Curtaining
Sagging; excessive flow of paint on vertical surfaces causing imperfections
with thick lower edges in the paint film, not as excessive as runs
Degradable
biocides
Biocides are chemical ingredients in paint that inhibit the settlement and
growth of organisms such as weed and barnacles on the bottom of a boat.
Degradable biocides are biocides that break down in water into harmless
constituents, for example via hydrolysis or photo degradation. Biodegradable
biocides are broken down by microbes in water and sediments
Degreaser
Chemical solution for grease removal
Dew Point
Temperature at which moisture condenses, making painting impossible
Dilatant
A type of viscosity that increases as you agitate the product
DOI
Distinction Of Image; measurement of the clarity of the coating by its ability
to reflect the image of a given object
Dow Jones
Sustainability Index
Launched in 1999, DJSI is a global index for tracking the financial performance
of the leading (best 10%) sustainability-driven companies worldwide. AkzoNobel
is selected as a member of the DJSI since September 2005
Dry Film
Thickness (DFT)
The film thickness of paint after all of the solvent has evaporated from the
wet paint
Dry to Handle
Time interval between application and ability to pick up without damage
Dry to Recoat
Time interval between application and ability to receive next coat
satisfactorily
Dry Spray
Overspray, bounce back; sand finish due to paint particles being partially
dried before reaching the surface
Drying Time
Time interval between application and final cure
Dulling
Loss of gloss or sheen
Eco-Efficient
The term was coined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in 1992. It is based on the concept of creating more goods and services while using fewer resources and creating less waste and pollution. The reduction in ecological impacts translates into an increase in resource productivity, which in turn can create a competitive advantage. Critical aspects of eco-efficiency are:
Eco-Premium
Eco-premium solutions are competitively-priced, high-end products that have
more environmental benefits than their mainstream equivalents. This
eco-efficiency can happen at any stage of a product’s lifetime – from the
extraction of natural resources to manufacturing, end-use and final waste
management. For AkzoNobel, as much as 18 percent of our revenue comes from
eco-premium products. Our aim is to increase this figure to 22 percent in 2009
and 30 percent by 2015
Ecotoxic
Environmentally toxic. Ecotoxic substances have potential to cause severe
damage if released into the environment or into a specific ecosystem in toxic
quantities
Ecological
Footprint or Environmental Footprint
A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems. It compares human demand
with planet Earth's ecological capacity to regenerate. While the term
‘ecological footprint’ is widely used, methods of measurement vary, although
calculation standards are emerging
Electrostatic
Spray
Spraying with electric charge attracts paint on surface
Emissions
This refers to pollutants such as chemicals, particulate matter and other
pollutants that enter the atmosphere, e.g. Volatile organic compound (VOCs,
emitted as paint dries/cures) or exhaust fumes from internal combustion
engines. AkzoNobel new product development programmes are focused on minimising
the emissions of VOC and biocides from our antifouling coatings
Emulsion Paint
Water based paint with an emulsified resin vehicle
Enamel
Pigmented varnish; any hard, glossy coatings
Environmental
Impact
An assessment of the possible impact - positive or negative - that a proposed
activity such as a new project may have on the environment. The purpose of
making such an assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the
ensuing environmental impacts when deciding whether to proceed with a project.
The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) defines an
environmental impact assessment as "the process of identifying, predicting,
evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects
of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments
made."
Environmentally
Friendly (also eco-friendly, nature friendly, and green)
Goods and services considered to inflict minimal or no harm to the natural
world. Labelling of products as ‘Environmentally Friendly’ is largely governed
by voluntary codes. In some cases the use of these terms can cause confusion if
they are not clearly defined
Erosion
Wearing away of paint films
Evaporation
To change from a liquid or solid state to a vapour
Extender
Filler, bulking agent; ingredients added to paint to increase coverage, reduce
cost, achieve durability, alter appearance and influence other desirable
properties
External Mix
Spray equipment in which fluid air joins outside of aircap
Fade
Reduction in brightness of colour
Fadeometer
Device for measuring colour retention or fade resistance
Fallout (Spray)
Overspray
Feather Edge
Tapered edge
Filler
Extender, bulking agent; ingredients added to paint to increase coverage,
reduce cost, achieve durability, alter appearance and influence other desirable
properties
Film
Any single coat or layer of paint applied to a surface, rather than a 'paint
scheme'
Film Build
Dry thickness characteristics per coat
Film Former
A substance which forms a skin or membrane when dried from a liquid state
Film Integrity
Degree of continuity of film
Film Thickness
gauge
Device for measuring film thickness above substrate; dry or wet film thickness
gauges are available
Fish Eye
Cratering
Flaking
Disintegration in small flakes
Flashing
Non-uniform sheen is noted in irregular areas caused by inadequate and
non-uniform priming and resultant loss of vehicle into substrate
Flash Point
The temperature at which a flammable liquid produces sufficient vapour to allow
ignition by a small external flame or spark
Flash Rusting
Rapid surface rusting of freshly prepared steel usually caused by rainwater,
condensation or grit blasting
Floating
Separation of pigment colours on surface
Force Drying
Acceleration of drying time by increasing the temperature and forced air
circulation available
Fuel Efficient Antifouling
Reduced fuel consumption (like-for-like vessel usage) relative to when a
typical or mainstream antifouling used
Galvanising
The coating of iron and steels with a layer of zinc and iron-zinc compounds, by
immersion in a bath of molten zinc.
Galvanic
Corrosion
Corrosion of dissimilar metals in electrical contact
Gel Coat
Protective outer resin layer on glass reinforced polyester laminates (GRP)
Gel Time
The time for a liquid to turn to a solid during a chemical reaction.
Gloss
Sheen; ability to reflect ; brightness.
Gloss Reaction
Ability to retain original sheen.
Greenhouse Gas
These are gases in an atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the
thermal infrared range. They include gases such as methane, Carbon Dioxide and
Ozone . They are essential to the planet in order to maintain temperature;
without them the earth would be considerably cooler. However in recent times
human activities have increased emissions of these gases, which has lead to the
‘Greenhouse Effect’; where thermal energy is retained in the atmosphere and
average temperatures are increasing
Greenwash
The practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies
as environmentally friendly, such as by presenting cost cuts as reductions in
use of resources. Examples:
Grit
An abrasive obtained from slag and various other materials.
HAPS or Hazardous Air Pollutant
Name given by the US authorities to the most potent ‘air toxics’, which are thought to cause serious health and environmental problems, such as cancer and/or birth defects in humans etc. The term originated from the US 1990 Clean Air Act, introduced to reduce emissions of certain air toxics from industry
HAPs free
Product does not contain or emit materials defined as Hazardous Air Pollutants
Hardener
Curing agent, catalyst, activator, accelerator, reactor ; non technical term used to describe the usual smaller part of a two pack system that is added to the "base" to initiate a cure
Hardness
The agent used for abrasive blast cleaning, for example sand or grit.
Hazardous
Describes a material, substance or activity with the potential to cause harm to man and/or the environment
Heavy Metal
Any metal with a specific gravity of 5.0 or greater. Especially one that is toxic to organisms, such as lead, mercury, copper, and cadmium
High Build Coatings
Paints that can be applied at comparatively high wet film thicknesses.
High Solids
More than 60% of the product is solid matter that will not evaporate in to atmosphere
Holiday
Pinhole ; skip ; discontinuity.
Humidity
Level of moisture in the air.
Impact Resistance
A measure of resistance to a blow ; ability to resist deformation from impact.
Intercoat Adhesion
The ability of each coat of paint to stick to the preceding coat.
Intercoat Contamination
Presence of foreign matter between coats.
Kreb Unit
Units of viscosity
Lacquer
Coatings that dry by solvent evaporation.
Lapping
Uneven colour or sheendifference in dried paint film
Leafing
Orientation of pigment flakes in horizontal places.
Legislative Bodies
Persons that make, amend or repeal laws
Lifting
Wrinkling of top coat or lifting of undercoat. Like the action of a solvent paint remover
Low Copper Leaching
Leaching refers to the rate at which a biocide, such as copper, is released from the paint film in order to inhibit the growth of organisms on the bottom of a boat. Antifouling which leaches copper in salt water at less than a steady state leaching rate of less than 10 μg per cm2 per day may be described as low copper leaching or low copper antifouling1
1 Leaching rate as determined by calculation using a mass balance approach
Low odour
Indicates that a paint produces less odour than a standard or mainstream alternative. There are no standards for categorising a paint as low odour
Low solar absorption
A coating designed to absorb less solar energy than standard coatings, typically via the use of low solar absorption pigments. A topcoat designed in this way and used on the exterior of a yacht will result in reduced temperature of the exterior surfaces and of the interior compartments, reducing the load on the vessel’s cooling systems
Low Surface Energy
Coating that repels water molecules (hydrophobic), smooth and/or has elastic properties to which fouling organisms cannot easily attach
Low VOC Indicate that a product produces less VOC than the alternative or mainstream products available for the same use. We consider paints that comply with the most stringent current legislation (i.e. Southern California) to be low VOC as below:-
Antifouling.......................................330g VOC/litre wet paint as applied
Wood Sealer..................................490g/l
Varnish............................................340g/l
Extreme High Gloss Finish ........490g/l
High Gloss Finish.........................420g/l
Interior Finish.................................340g/l
Finish Primer / Surfacer...............420g/l
Primers and Undercoats.............340g/l
Mandrel Test
A physical bending test for adhesion and flexibility
M & R
Abreviation for Maintenance and Repair
Metamerism
A colour that displays different tones (usually a red / green shift) under daylight and synthetic light.
Milage
Coverage rate ; square feet per gallon at a given thickness.
Miscible
Capable of mixing or blending uniformly
Mist-Coat
Thin coat
Mix Ratio
The (usually volume) mixing ratio for a two or more part product.
MSDS
Abreviation for Material Safety Data Sheets.
Mud-cracking
Irregular cracking as in a dried mud puddle
Natural Products
A chemical compound or substance that is produced by a living organism. Often natural products are considered to be benign or harmless, although this is not necessarily the case. For example, snakes produce highly toxic venoms, and certain fungi are poisonous due to presence of toxins inside their tissues
Non-flammable
Incombustible
Non-persistent biocide
Biocide that breaks down in to harmless substances in the environment
Non-toxic
See Biocide-free
Non-volatile
Solid ; non-evaporating ; the portion of a paint left after the solvent evaporates.
Opacity
Hiding power.
Orangle Peel
Dimpled appearance of dried film ; resembling orange peel.
Osmosis
Transfer of liquid through a paint film or other membrane.
Overcure
Condition caused by excessive addition of a curing agent to a two-component paint, causes brittleness or amine sweating.
Overspray
Paint deposited on a surface or object during spraying of another surafce or object.
Oxidation
Rusting ; combination with oxygen.
Ozone friendly
This term is often found on labels and in literature. It typically means that the product does not contain CFC [Chlorofluorocarbon] gases that contribute to the ozone layer depletion
Peeling
Failure in which paint curls from substrate.
Pickling
A dipping process for cleaning steel and other metals ; the pickling agent is usually an acid.
Pigments
Solid colouring agent.
Pimpling
Small blisters resembling 'goose pimples'.
Pin-holing
Formation of small holes through the entire thickness of a coating.
Pot-life
Time interval after mixing during which liquid material is usable with no difficulty.
Primer
First complete coat of paint of a painting system applied to a surface. Such paints are designed to provide adequate adhesion to new surfaces or are formulated to meet the special requirements of the surfaces.
Product Stewardship
Programme employed by the Marine, PC and Yacht Business Unit of AkzoNobel that aims to protect its employees, customers, the public and the environment by:-
Profile
Surface contour as viewed from edge.
Profile Depth
Average distance between tops of peaks and bottom of valleys on the surface.
Reactor
Curing agent, catalyst, activator, accelerator, hardener.
Recyclable
A material that can be reprocessed and reused following its initial use. Many metals and plastics are recyclable and many regions have the infrastructure in place to reprocess the materials
Reflectance
Degree of light reflection
Resin
A material, natural or synthetic, contained in varnishes, lacquers, and paints ; the film former.
Runs
Paint film defects in the form of sagging paint in narrow ribbons flowing downwards on vertical surfaces, usually caused by applying the coating above the recommended film thickness or overthinning.
Rust
A reddish-brown oxide coating forming on iron or steel by the action of oxygen and moisture.
Sacrificial Anode
An electropositive metal, such as zinc, that protects a more important electronegative part by corroding when attacked by electrolytic action.
Sagging
Curtaining ; Excessive flow of paint on vertical surfaces causing imperfections with thick lower edges in the paint film, not as excessive as runs.
Sealer
Paint used to seal the substrate or previous coats and prevent interaction between subsequent coats applied.
Settling
Caking ; sediment.
SG
Ratio between the weight of a substance and that of the same volume of water.
Shade
Degree of gray tone in a colour.
Sheen
Gloss level between 10-30% when measured on an 85° head.
Shelf Life
Maximum interval in which a material may be stored in usable condition.
Skinning
The formation of a tough, skin-like covering on liquid paints and varnishes when exposed to oxygen.
Societal Concern
A rather vague term that may mean different things to different people. UK Health & Safety Executive define as "...the risks or threats from hazards which impact on society and which, if realised, could have adverse repercussions for the institutions responsible for putting in place the provisions and arrangements for protecting people, e.g. the Government of the day. These are often associated with hazards that give rise to risks which, were they to materialise, could provoke a socio-political response. More simply theses are substances in products where public concern exists over their use or where such concern over their use can be anticipated in the future
Solvent
A liquid in which another substance may be dissolved.
Solving Entrapment If solvents do not evaporate before a paint film cures, they can become trapped within the coating scheme, causes soft paint films, poor gloss and splitting.
Splitting
Defect where a paint coating fails owing to poor cohesive (internal) strength, rather than poor adhesion. Usually caused by solvent entrapment and/or undercure.
Spot Priming
The priming of small areas of a previously painted surface where the substrate has been exposed.
Spray Cap
Front enclosure of spray gun equipped with atomizing air holes.
Substrate
Surface to be painted.
Sustainability
The capacity for the planet to replace the resources consumed. A sustainable business implies that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. At AkzoNobel we are committed to reducing our impact on the planet and delivering more sustainable products and solutions to our customers
Synthetic
Manufactured; not occuring naturally.
Tack
Degree of stickiness.
TDS
Abreviation for Technical Data Sheet.
Thermosplastic
Mobile or softens under heat.
Thermosetting Becomes rigid under heat and cannot be remelted.
Thinner A liquid used for reducing the viscosity of paints.
Thixotropic Defines a type of viscosity that thins as it is stirred or agitated and then sets up again when that agitation stops.
Tie Coat
A coat of paint applied to a previous coat to improve the adhesion of subsequent coats or to prevent other surface defects e.g. bubbling of a subsequent coating.
Tooth
Profile, mechanical anchorage, surface roughness.
Touch Dry
The stage during drying when the coating no longer feels sticky when lightly touched.
Turpentine
Distilled pine oil, used as a cleaner, solvent or thinner for oil-based and alkyd coatings
Two-pack
Paints based on binders which cure by the chemical reaction between two components.
Underatomized
Not dispersed or broken-up fine enough.
Undercure
Condition where a paint coating fails to cure properly due to incorrect mixing or application in cold/damp conditions. Paint will stay soft with poor gloss.
Urethane
An important resin in the coatings industry. A true urethane coating is a two-component product that cures when the catalyst prompts a chemical reaction that unites the components.
Varnish
A preparation consisting of a solvent, a drying oil, and usually resin, rubber, bitumen, etc., for application to a surface where it polymerizes to yield a hard glossy, usually transparent, coating.
Vehicle
Liquid barrier, binder; anything dissolved in the liquid portion of a paint is part of the vehicle.
Viscosity
A measure of fluidity.
Viscosity Cup
A device for measuring viscosity
VOC
The volume of volatile organic solvents in a product. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases or vapours emitted by various solids or liquids. Paint and paint strippers, along with many domestic products often contain VOCs which are emitted when they are applied or used. VOCs are essential in many Yacht coatings. Topcoats are a key example as they are expected to have excellent aesthetics and hence require excellent flow properties
Volatility
The defining quality of a liquid that evaporates quickly when exposed to air.
Volume Solids
The volume percentage of a paint that is solid matter.
Water based / Low VOC coating
Coating where primary solvent is water and VOC is less than 150 g/lt of liquid product. (theoretical value, assuming worst case) Benefit: Reduced emissions to air / impact on the environment. No solvents required for clean up of equipment, VOC compliance (where applicable). Aids compliance with SED (where applicable). Low odour. Improved working environment (especially when indoors)
Water Blasting
Blast cleaning using high velocity water.
Water Spotting
A surface defect caused by water droplets.
Weld Slag
Deposits formed during welding.
Weld Splatter
Beads of metal left adjoining a weld.
Wet Edge
Keeping the paint wet enough when it is applied by brush so it can be brushed back into without showing lines of demarcation from one painted area to the next.
Wet Film Thickness (WFT)
The thickness of paint when it is first applied before solvent evaporation takes place.
Wet Rot
Decay of timber by fungi that thrive in moist wood and poorly ventilated areas.
Wet Spray
Spraying so that surface is covered with paint that has not started to dry.
White Copper
Normally referring to an alloy of copper and nickel or copper and zinc, more recently it is being used simply to describe Copper Thiocyanate, which is a white or grey powder used in some antifouling paints as a biocide. Benefit: Antifouling products containing copper thiocyanate often leach copper from antifouling more slowly than those containing a similar quantity of copper oxide
Wrinkling
Film in drying stages shrinks into tiny crests and valleys in irregular pattern caused by poor application.
Yellowing
Yellowing of white paints caused by certain gases, cleaning agents, cooking, ammonia washes and by poor selection of pigments and vehicles
Zinc Spraying
Similar to galvanising, molten zinc is sprayed on prepared steel using a special heated spray gun. Zinc sprayed surfaces are difficult to paint satisfactorily
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