What is solid content in the prodcut?

In this blog, we are trying to cover the importance of the solid content in the coatings/toppings which can be applied over the wall, ceilings, and on floor surfaces. 

Coating/toppings in general consist of:

    1. Resin

    2. Hardener

    3. Pigment

    4. Vehicle

    5. Additive. 

The resin (alkyds, urethanes, acrylics, epoxies, vinyl) helps to turn the liquid state of the product to a solid-state. 

The Hardener triggers the setting/drying time of resin and other liquid material and gets evaporated itself.

Pigments in the form of powder or in the form of a paste provide color to the product.

The vehicle (water, xylol, mineral spirits, MEK) gives the viscosity to the product while application.

Additives are used to maintain or to provide special characteristics like quick-drying, UV restraints, finishing look like mat/glossy.

In all the above material, only resin and pigment will have solid filler/parts in it. Once the product parts/components are mixed and applied, chemical reaction starts, and products turn from liquid/paste form to solid-state.

The volume of solids determines the final thickness of the product once it dries completely. 

You can cross-check the application thickness using the below formula:

Theoretical coverage in meter square per Ltr = Percentage of solids / DFT in microns X 10.

OR 

Wet film thickness ( microns ) = (Dry film thickness in microns / Percent Volume Solids) X 100

At site condition, WFT gauge can be used to test the application product. For more information on WFT gauge, see: https://annayyachandrashekar.blogspot.com/2017/11/measurement-of-wet-film-thickness.html

Similarly, DFT of the applied products can be tested in LAb or at site conditions. : How, to know more please visit: https://annayyachandrashekar.blogspot.com/2018/01/dft-measurement-as-per-astm-d-1186-and.html

Why to know the solid content?

1. We can find out the final thickness of the coating after it dries.
2. We can judge, whether we can apply the product at the said thickness or not?
3. We can control the quality of the product by applying the correct thickness.
4. We can estimate how much quantity of products must be applied to obtain adequate coverage.

For example, find the general solids content details in different types of products:

1. Sealers : 10-25%
2. Architectural Paints : 35-45%
3. Industrial Enamels :  25%-45%
4. 2K Epoxies : 40%-80%
5. 2K Polyurethanes :  30%-45%

You may come across one moe word called "weight solids”. this indicates the weight of the non-volatile ingredients. Low VOC paints may have higher “volume solids".

Many thank to Google.com and Doc25.com, from where the data were collected.

 

BS EN 1504: Part 3: Structural and non-structural concrete repair mortar

BS EN 1504: Part 3: Structural and non-structural repair - requirements for repair Principles 3, 4 & 7 

This standard BS EN 1504-3 provides performance characteristics and requirements for structural and non-structural repair products under the following 3 repair principles. 

Principle 3. Concrete Restoration 

Principle 4. Structural Strengthening 

Principle 7. Preserving or Restoring Passivity 

Certain parameters/property of the repair mortar are required for certain principle and are verified in the following table:

Repair Mortar for concrete repair is classification as per this standard will be of 2 main classifications and again into 2 subdivisions each.

        1. Non-Structural Repair mortar: 

                a. Class R1 – Low-performance repair mortar

                b. Class R2 – Medium performance repair mortar

        2.Structural Repair mortar: 

                a. Class R3 – Good performance 

                b. Class R4 – High performance

The requirement of mortar shall be as follows :

Many thanks to Google, Doc88.com.... from where the details were collected.

How to protect concrete using sealer and coatings - BS EN 1504: Part 2

BS EN 1504: Part 2: This part explains mainly about the surface protection systems for concrete repair and protection.

Here coatings are mainly explained based on 6 Principles:

This quite image explains the difference between Hydrophobic impregnation sealer, impregnation sealer, and coatings:

Part 02, also explains the performance requirements all the three sealers/coatings as follows 

Performance requirements for hydrophobic impregnation / impregnation sealer used for concrete repair and maintenance

Performance Requirements for Impregnation / Impregnation sealer used for concrete repair and maintenance:

Performance requirements for coatings / Coating used for concrete repair and maintenance:

Thanks to Google and Doc121.com, from where the details are collected.