Low-VOC
Topcoats and Primers
(Raytheon TI Systems, Inc.)
Project Number: J-95-OC-004
Completed in 1998
Technology Survey
Conventional paint formulations typically consist of finely divided pigment dispersed in a liquid composed of a resin (binder) and an organic solvent. The function of the solvent is to reduce paint viscosity and facilitate application by wetting the substrate surface and controlling the material flow and drying time of the paint. However, many organic solvents, such as MEK, toluene, and xylene, that are used in conventional paints and primers are hazardous compounds and are subject to environmental and worker protection regulations.
Many currently used military specification coatings are being phased out because they contain a high concentration of solvents, or VOCs. Some of these coatings include:
- MIL-C-22750: Coating, Epoxy, High-Solids
- MIL-C-46168, Type II: Coating, Aliphatic Polyurethane, Chemical Agent Resistant, Lead- and Chromate-Free
- MIL-C-83286: Coating, Urethane, Aliphatic Isocyanate, For Aerospace Applications (canceled)
- MIL-P-23377: Primer Coating, Epoxy, High-Solids
Low- or no-solvent paints, primers, and alternative technologies that can replace these military specification coatings have been formulated and developed. These paints, primers, and technologies reduce or eliminate overall VOC emissions and solvent waste generated by conventional paints. To identify alternatives to solvent-borne paints and primers, NDCEE/CTC was tasked to perform a technology survey. Eight commercially available technologies were identified. A description of each alternative, its advantages and limitations, and its associated environmental, health, and safety concerns are presented in this section. Also included with the discussion of each alternative are relevant abstracts obtained from a general literature search on several databases and, in some instances, the name of an expert in the field.
To view the Technology Survey for Alternatives to High-VOC Primers and Topcoats, dated March 29, 1996, please click here. This document is now Appendix A of the PAR, dated February 5, 1998.
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