Industrial Paint & Coatings 101: Comparing Resins

In an industrial coating, resins act as the binder or film-forming agent. Resins hold the other components together and provide the film’s structural integrity. Their role is to provide a protective layer on the substrate, help the coating adhere to various surfaces, and resist various environmental factors, like moisture, UV light and chemicals. Resins can be derived from natural/organic sources or synthesized chemically.

COMPARING ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF RESIN CLASSIFICATIONS
When comparing resins used in industrial coatings, it’s essential to consider the properties they impart to the coating, their performance in different environments, and their suitability for specific applications. Here are some common resins used in industrial coatings and how they compare:

Alkyd Resins
Properties: Alkyd resins are derived from plant oils or synthetic oils and offer good adhesion and flexibility. They are commonly used in oil-based paints.
Applications: Used in both industrial and architectural coatings.
Advantages: Good flexibility and adhesion, typically less expensive.
Disadvantages: Slower drying times, less resistance to moisture and chemicals compared to epoxies and polyurethanes.

Acrylic Resins
Applications: Used in decorative coatings, clear finishes, and in situations where color stability and aesthetic appeal are crucial. As environmental restrictions increase, acrylics are being used more commonly in industrial applications.
Advantages: Excellent UV stability, good color retention, and clarity.
Disadvantages: Less chemical resistance and mechanical durability than epoxies and polyurethanes.

Epoxy Resins
Applications: Commonly used in industrial flooring, protective coatings for metal, and on equipment that requires corrosion-resistance. Epoxies provide a tough, durable coating that can withstand harsh conditions.
Advantages: High durability, good chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and strong adhesion.
Disadvantages: Limited UV resistance (can yellow or degrade over time), longer curing times, and can be brittle if not formulated properly.

Polyurethane Resins
Applications: Often used in automotive and truck body coatings, high-traffic areas, and outdoor applications where UV stability is important.
Advantages: Excellent flexibility, impact resistance, UV resistance, abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance (when used with the correct primer). For example, Sheboygan Paint Company’s Uraguard® polyurethane topcoat system, when used with our solvent-based epoxy primer, resists corrosion for more than 5,000 hours!
Disadvantages: Can be more expensive, and some formulations may have lower chemical resistance compared to epoxies.

Polyesters
Applications: Widely used in a variety of applications, common uses include outdoor products, marine equipment, furniture, and windows/doors.
Advantages: Durability, weather resistance, chemical resistance, aesthetic flexibility with a wide range of finishes, ease of application, and cost effectiveness.
Disadvantages: Susceptibility to scratching, sensitivity to extreme temperatures, limited flexibility, maintenance requirements over time.

Melamines
Applications: Popular choice for a variety of applications, including furniture, cabinetry, and countertops.
Advantages: Durability, ease of maintenance, aesthetic versatility, cost effectiveness, consistent quality.
Disadvantages: Potential compromised edge wear (prone to chipping or peeling), difficult to repair, limited customization, lack of heat-resistance.

Fast-drying Thermoplastics
Applications: Used in various applications when high throughput and efficiency are top priority.
Advantages: Quick application, rapid curing, quicker processing times allowing for enhanced productivity, reduced handling time, improved efficiency, consistency, durability, easy to repair.
Disadvantages: Limited temperature resistance, potential for poor adhesion, chemical sensitivity, prone to surface imperfections, limited depth of coating, overcoating challenges.

Lacquer wood coating (incl. nitrocellulose lacquer)
Applications: Popular choice for protecting indoor wood products and for woodworking projects.
Advantages: High gloss, smooth finish, fast drying time, wide range of finishes, highly customizable, easy to apply, easy to repair, durability and resistance. Nitrocellulose lacquer, in particular, provides a durable finish that is resistant to scratches and stains. It also has good resistance to water and chemicals when properly cured.
Disadvantages: Yellows over time, vulnerable to chemicals, limited outdoor use, contain VOCs, less flexibility for wood movement

Silicone Resins
Applications: Ideal for high-temperature environments, such as in industrial ovens and furnaces, and for protecting outdoor products from extreme weather.
Advantages: Excellent heat resistance, water repellency, and weatherability.
Disadvantages: Generally more expensive, require proper primers for good adherence.

Phenolic Resins
Applications: Used in high-temperature environments and in chemical processing industries.
Advantages: Excellent chemical resistance, durability, and high heat tolerance.
Disadvantages: Can be brittle and may have limited flexibility compared to other resins.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT RESIN
When selecting a resin for industrial coatings, consider the following factors:
1. Environment: Will the coating be exposed to extreme temperatures, chemicals, or UV light?
2. Durability requirements: How much abrasion or impact resistance is needed?
3. Flexibility vs. hardness: Is flexibility or rigidity more critical for the application?
4. Application method: How will the coating be applied (e.g., spray, brush, roll, dip, etc.)?
5. Production requirements: Will the coating be used in a high throughput production environment, requiring fast curing, efficient application, and quick handling times?
6. Cost: What is the budget for the coating material and application process?

Each resin type has its strengths and is suited for specific applications. Evaluating these properties in the context of your project will help you make an informed decision. The experienced scientists and technical service representatives at Sheboygan Paint Company have decades of experience advising customers on the best coating for each application. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you to solve your paint line challenges! Call us at 800.773.7801. Go ahead. Challenge us!