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The difference between inorganic coatings and organic coatings

25 Dec 2018

History of inorganic and organic coatings

  The types and quantities of organic coatings before large-scale oil exploitation were very small. Chinese lacquer and tung oil are typical representatives, which are used in the decoration of high-end furniture and art and the anticorrosion of ships. The price is expensive and belongs to the country's strategic materials.
   The large-scale exploitation of petroleum and the invention of film-forming substances from petroleum extracts have given birth to modern organic coatings. The birth of modern organic coatings has had a great impact on organic and inorganic coatings. Organic coatings have occupied most of the coatings market due to their advantages of simple and fast production, strong price competitiveness, superior performance and rich colors.

The difference between inorganic coatings and organic coatings in film-forming substances

In the classification of coatings, coatings can be divided into organic coatings and inorganic coatings according to the type of film-forming substances.
Definition of organic coatings: coatings composed of polymer compounds as the main film-forming substances. Applying it on the surface of the object can form a layer of coating film with strong adhesion. Paint, formerly known as paint, was named after mostly vegetable oil was used as raw material in the early days. With the development of synthetic materials industry, most of the vegetable oil has been replaced by synthetic resin, so it was renamed paint. Organic coatings can be divided into: water-soluble coatings, solvent coatings, latex coatings.  
Definition of inorganic coatings: Inorganic coatings are coatings with inorganic materials as the main film-forming substance. They are the abbreviation of all-inorganic mineral coatings. areas of daily life. Inorganic coatings can be divided into: silicate inorganic coatings, silica sol inorganic coatings and alkali metal inorganic coatings.

The difference in performance between inorganic coatings and organic coatings

The different types of film-forming substances of organic coatings and inorganic coatings determine the difference in performance between the two different types of products.
The difference in the appearance of the coating film: organic coatings The film-forming substance is a polymer compound, the surface of the coating film is dense after continuous coating drying, and the coating film feels relatively smooth. The film-forming substance of inorganic coatings is mainly silicate, and the surface of the coating film has mineral particles after drying, and the sensory feeling of the coating film is not as smooth as that of organic coatings.
The gloss of the coating film is different: Most of the continuous surfaces of the organic coating film show a certain gloss, and some polymer resin coatings show high gloss. The surface coating film of inorganic paint has high porosity (different from the continuous coating film of traditional latex paint), and the diffuse reflection of light will not cause stimulation to human vision, which is relatively soft and comfortable.
The bonding method between the coating film and the wall is different: when the inorganic coating is painted, the silicate or nano-silica gel penetrates into the base surface with water to a depth of 0.5-2MM, and reacts with the mineral base , forming a kind of alkali-resistant and acid-resistant silica, so that the paint and the wall can be firmly combined as one. Unlike architectural paints and latex paints, which are just a layer of skin, it only has physical adhesion and partial hydrogen bonding with the base layer.
The difference in the aging durability of the coating film: the silica formed by the petrochemical reaction of the inorganic coating is extremely stable in chemical properties and is not corroded by acidic substances. Very strong, the service life of inorganic coatings is as long as 20-30 years. The coating film of organic coatings is easily corroded by acid, alkali, sulfide, and ultraviolet rays. The coating film will age in 5-10 years, and it is easy to powder, peel off and peel off.

Difference in air permeability: The microcrystalline structure formed by the reaction of inorganic coating and wall silicification has good air permeability, which can fully evaporate the water in the wall, thereby reducing the damage caused by moisture erosion of the decorative layer. aging, improve the service life of the overall decorative layer. The coating film of organic coatings is dense. If the wall is damp or water seeps, the moisture in the wall is difficult to evaporate, and the coating film is easy to bubble and fall off. Oil-based organic paints are especially serious.
The difference in combustion performance: Inorganic coatings with silicate as the main film-former greatly reduce the dependence on petrochemicals. Requirements for flame retardant or non-combustible: suitable for municipal engineering, industrial plants, residences, schools, hospitals and other places with high requirements for flame retardant or non-combustible. The main components of inorganic silicate coatings are inorganic minerals, which have good flame retardancy or non-combustibility, unlike latex paint or other colloidal coatings, which burn in a fire and emit poisonous gas.
The difference between anti-corrosion and anti-mildew: Inorganic coatings are more suitable for places or areas with high requirements for anti-corrosion and anti-mildew, such as subways, tunnels, basements, and buildings in southern high-humidity areas. The air permeability and water resistance of the inorganic coating film are good, and the organic matter content is low, and the pH value is high, which makes the film dry and reduces the growth conditions of mold. Organic coatings in organic coatings are prone to mold growth in humid environments.  
The difference between dustproof and self-cleaning: the silicified surface of the inorganic coating will "age" like a rock under the action of the sun and the atmosphere, forming a very thin powdered layer, Under the scouring of wind and rain, it will fall off together with the dirt to keep the surface of the coating film clean. And the antifouling of organic coating depends on the compact surface, and the capillary pores on the coating film of most organic coatings, especially elastic coatings, are easy to stick to stains. Most of the surface of organic coatings has electrostatic adsorption of dust, which is also one of the reasons why organic coatings are more likely to stick to dirt.
 
How to simply identify organic coatings and inorganic coatings: The main components of inorganic coatings are inorganic minerals, and the main components of organic coatings It is a high-molecular polymer, and the coating film of most organic coatings can be burned after drying, and a pungent odor is produced during the burning process. The coating film of inorganic coatings does not burn, and does not produce irritating gases at high temperatures. Brush the organic paint and inorganic paint on the glass plate to dry, peel off the paint film after drying, and burn it separately with a windproof lighter or an alcohol lamp. The non-combustible and non-pungent paints are inorganic paints, and the ones that burn are paints with a pungent smell and a relatively high content of organic paints or organic paints.
Inorganic coatings have returned to the mainstream market
With the popularization of the concept of ecology and environmental protection, the construction of ecological civilization has been raised to a new strategic height. Adhering to the harmonious coexistence between man and nature and building an ecological civilization is the millennium plan for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.
Inorganic coatings with silicate as the main film-former greatly reduce the dependence on petrochemical industry. The characteristics of flame retardant or non-combustible inorganic coatings are more suitable for municipal engineering, industrial plants, residences, schools, hospitals and other places that have relatively high requirements for flame retardant or non-combustible.
The anti-corrosion and mildew-proof characteristics of inorganic coatings are more suitable for subways, tunnels, basements, buildings in southern high-humidity areas and other places or areas that have relatively high requirements for anti-corrosion and mildew resistance.
The organic solvents harmful to human body in inorganic silicate coatings are less than those in traditional latex paints. minimum, and the environment itself recovers relatively quickly. It is time for inorganic coatings to return to the mainstream of the market.