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Glossary of Terms - Paints and Coatings

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COVERED:
Paint and
Coatings
Terminology
Coating Types
Resin Types
Solvent Types
Classes of
Solvents
Solvent Strength
Solvent
Evaporation
Solvent Grades
Regulatory
Terms
BSIs
Assortment of
Products:
Minerals
Colors
Chemicals
Resins
Local Offices

PAINT AND COATINGS

TERMINOLOGY
Acid Value (A.V.):
The measure of the unreacted acid group
as determined by titration with potassium
hydroxide solution and reported as
milligrams of KOH to neutralize one gram
non-volatile of resin sample.
Architectural Coatings:
Coatings intended for on-site application
to interior or exterior surfaces of
residential, commercial, institutional or
industrial buildings.
Baking Finish:
A paint or varnish that requires baking at
temperatures above 150F (65C) for the
development of desired properties.
Caulking Compound:
A soft, plastic material, consisting of a
pigment and vehicle, used for sealing
joints in building and other structures
where normal structural movement may
occur. Caulking compound retains its
plasticity for an extended period after
application. It is available in forms
suitable for application by gun and knife or
in extruded preformed shapes.
Coating:
A liquid, liqufiable or mastic composition
that is converted to a solid protective,
decorative or functional adherent film after
application as a thin layer.

Varnish Comparator or by the APHA color

index.
Compatibility:
Determined at various Resin/Modifier nonvolatile ratios as listed in the charts.
Samples are mixed, poured on clear glass,
dried and observed for both solution and film
clarity. A stronger solvent may be used in
some instances to obtain uniform solutions.
Dope:
A composition, usually a cellulosic lacquer,
for application on textiles and leathers.
Drier:
A composition that accelerates the drying of
oil paint, printing ink or varnish. Driers are
usually metallic compositions and are
available in both solid and liquid forms.
Drier Recommendations:
Specific drier blends are noted and are
based as drier metal on resin non-volatile.
Drying Oil:
An oil that possesses, to a marked degree,
the property of readily taking up oxygen from
the air and changing to a relatively hard,
tough, elastic substance when exposed in a
thin film to the air.
Dry Performance:
Speed of dry values determined with films
applied on glass with a 2 mil Bird film
applicator unless noted otherwise. Dry time
values obtained using Gardner Circular Dry
Time Records or the Straight-Line type of
instrument. See States of Drying.

Color:
Determined with the Gardner 1933

Information presented herein is believed to be accurate and reliable but is not intended to meet any specification and does not imply any guarantee
or warranty by Brenntag Specialties, Inc. (BSI). For more information and assistance, contact Technical Services at 1-800-732-0562.

Brenntag Specialties, Inc. 1000 Coolidge St. South Plainfield, NJ 07080

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Glossaries
Enamel:
A paint that is characterized by an ability to form an
especially smooth film.

Japan:
A varnish yielding a hard, glossy, dark colored film.
Japans are usually dried by baking at relatively high
temperatures.

Ester Gum:
A resin made from rosin or rosin acids and a polyhydric
alcohol, such as glycerine or pentaerythritol.

Lacquer:
A coating composition that is based on synthetic
thermoplastic film-forming material dissolved in organic
solvent that dries primarily by solvent evaporation.
Typical lacquers include those based on nitrocellulose,
other cellulose derivatives, vinyl resins, acrylic resins,
etc.

Filler:
A pigmented composition for filing the pores or
irregularities in a surface preparatory to application of
other finishes.
Fire Retardant Coating:
A coating that will do one or more of the following.
*Reduce the flame spread on the substrate
over which the coating is applied, sometimes at the sacrifice of the coating (see in
tumescent coating).
*Resist ignition of the substrate when exposed to high temperature.
*Insulate the substrate to which the coating
is applied and thereby prolong the time
required to reach its ignition, melting or
structural-weakening temperature.

Lake:
A special type of pigment consisting essentially of an
organic soluble coloring matter combined more or less
definitely with an organic base or carrier. It is
characterized generally by a bright color and a more or
less pronounced translucency when made into an oil
paint.
Mildewstat:
A chemical agent that inhibits the growth of mildew.
Naval Stores:
Chemically reactive oils, resins, tars and pitches
derived from the oleoresin contained in, exuded by, or
extracted from trees chiefly of the pine species or from
the wood of such trees.

Flash Point:
Tested on either a Setaflash Tester or the Tag
Closed Cup Flash Tester (TCC). If not indicated, the
values are determined with the Setaflash unit.

Nondrying Oil:
An oil that does not of itself possess to a perceptible
degree, the power to take up oxygen from the air and
lose its liquid characteristics.

Glaze:
A very thin coating of a paint product usually a semitransparent coating tinted with Van Dyke brown, burnt
sienna or a similar pigment, applied on a previously
painted surface to produce a decorative effect.

Nonvolatile Vehicle:
The liquid portion of a paint excepting its volatile
thinner and water

Glazing Compound:
A dough like material consisting of pigment and
vehicle, used for sealing window glass in frames. It
differs from putty in that it retains its plasticity for an
extended period.

Oil of Turpentine:
The pharmaceutical name for spirits of turpentine
which conforms to the requirements of the National
Formulary.

Hydroxy Equivalent Weight (HEW):

The amount of resin (by weight non-volatile) that will
crosslink or react with one equivalent weight of
crosslinker such as isocyanate or melamine
formaldehyde resin.

Paint:
A classification sometimes employed to distinguish
pigmented drying oil coatings (paints) from synthetic
enamels and lacquers.

Intumescent Coating:
A fire-retardant coating, that when heated, forms a
foam produced by nonflammable gases, such as
carbon dioxide and ammonia. This results in a thick,
highly insulating layer of carbon (about fifty times as
thick as the original coating) that serves to protect the
coated substrate from the fire.

Percent Non-Volatile (%NV):

Non-volatile or solids based as percentage of total
solution weight. Several different methods of
determination are employed depending upon resin type
and relative reactivity. Process solids are generally
determined on a hotplate at 198 C and 10 to 20
minutes dwell time.

MINERALS COLORS CHEMICALS ADDITIVES RESINS EQUIPMENT

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Glossaries
Pigment:
The fine solid particles used in the preparation of paint
or printing ink and substantially insoluble in the vehicle.
Asphaltic materials are not pigments except when they
contain substances substantially insoluble in the
vehicle in which they are used.

flammable, nonconductive of electricity; breaks with a

conchoidal fracture (when hard) and dissolves in
certain specific organic solvents, but not water.
Resin, Synthetic:
A synthetic substance physically similar to natural
resin. Includes acrylic, alkyd, ester gum, maleic,
melamine, penta, phenolic, styrene, urea and vinyl
resin types to name a few.

Pine Oil:
A colorless to amber colored volatile oil with
characteristics pinaceous odor, consisting principally of
isomeric tertiary and secondary cyclic terpene alcohols,
with variable quantities of terpene hydrocarbons,
ethers, keytones, phenols and phenolic ethers, the
amount and character of which depend on the source
and method of manufacture. The four commercial
kinds of pine oil are:
*Steam distilled pine oil - obtained from crude oleoresinous extract of pinewood during the process of
related steam-distilled wood naval stores.
*Destructively distilled pine oil - obtained from the
lighter distillate from the destructive distillation
(carbonization) of pine wood oil.
*Synthetic pine oil - obtained by chemical hydration
of terpene hydrocarbons to form the terpene alcohols,or by dehydration of terpene hydrate.
*Sulfate pine oil - A high boiling fraction obtained in
the refining and fractional distillation of the condensed vapors released during the digestion of
wood by the sulfate process.

Rosin:
A specific kind of natural resin obtained as a vitreous
water-insoluble material from pine oleoresin by removal
of the volatile oils, or from tall oil by the removal of the
fatty acid components thereof. It consists primarily of
tricyclic monocarboxylic acids. The three commercial
classifications of rosins are.
*Gum Rosin - obtained from oleoresin collected from
living trees.
*Wood Rosin - obtained from the oleoresin
contained in dead wood such as stumps and knots.
*Tall Oil Rosin - obtained from tall oil.
Sealer:
A liquid composition to prevent excessive absorption of
finish coats into porous surfaces: also a composition to
prevent bleeding (see also Size).
Semidrying Oil:
An oil that possesses the characteristics of a drying oil
but to a lesser degree. There is no definite line of
demarcation between drying and semidrying oils.

Pine Tar Oil:

The oil obtained by condensing the vapors from the
retorts in which resinous pine wood is destructively
distilled (carbonized).

Printing Ink:
A colored or pigmented liquid or paste composition that
dries to a solid film after application as a thin layer by
printing machinery.

Size:
Usually a liquid composition to prevent excessive
absorption of all paints into plaster, old wall paint and
similar porous surfaces. Also a liquid composition used
as a first coat on metal to improve adhesion of
succeeding coats (latter usage is limited to the metal
decorating industry). The term sealer and size are
almost synonymous, but usage has established certain
differences. A sealer is ordinarily a thin varnish or
clear lacquer and is usually applied to wood or metal
surfaces. Ordinary painters size is a thin solution of
glue, starch or other water-soluble substances and is
usually applied on plater surfaces, but size used in
metal decorating is a thin varnish.

Putty:
A dough-like material consisting of pigment and
vehicle, used for sealing glass in frames and for filling
imperfections in wood or metal surfaces.

Solvent Tolerance:
Milliliters of test solvent necessary to cause turbidity
when added to 10 grams of resin solution. See Test
Solvent MST.

Resin, Natural:
A solid organic substance, originated in the secretion of
certain plants or insects, which is thermoplastic,

Stain:
A penetrating composition that changes the color of a
surface, usually transparent and leaving practically no
surface film.

Platicizer:
A very low volatility substance added to paint, varnish
or lacquer to impart flexibility.
Primer:
The first of two or more coats of paint, varnish or
lacquer system.

MINERALS COLORS CHEMICALS ADDITIVES RESINS EQUIPMENT

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Glossaries
States of Drying:
*Dust Free - Film is considered dust free when the
finger, without pressure, may be lightly run over the
surface without sticking. The surface may be
slightly sticky, but no pronounced marks will be left
by the finger.
*Tack-Free - Film is considered tack-free when the
finger, with slight pressure will not leave a mark.
The surface shall not be sticky.
*Dry-through - Film cannot be distorted or removed
when the thumb is placed on the horizontal film and
rotated 90 with maximum body weight. No distortion, loosening, wrinkling or detachment of the film
should be evident.
*Dry-hard or To full hardness - The film is difficult
to remove with a fingernail and has good resistance
to the edge of a knife.

oils and oleoresinous plants. Structurally, the important

terpenes and their derivatives are classified as
monocyclic (dipentene), bicyclic (pinene) and acyclic
(mycrene).
Test Solvent, MST:
Special standardized solvent blend for used in Mineral
Spirits Tolerance Determination. Consists of
approximately, by weight.
*80 - 85% Exempt mineral spirits.
*15 - 20% Solvesso 100.
Turpentine, Spirits of:
The volatile oil consisting primarily of a number of
terpene hydrocarbons of the general formula C10H16.
Four kinds of turpentine are now recognized.
*Gum turpentine or gum spirits - obtained by distilling the crude exuded gum or oleoresin collected
from living pine trees.
*Steam distilled wood turpentine - obtained from
the oleoresin within the wood of pine stumps or
cuttings, either by direct steaming of the
mechanically disintegrated wood or after solvent
extraction of the oleoresin from the wood.
*Sulfate wood turpentine - recovered during the
conversion of wood to paper pulp by the sulfate
process. Refined turpentine is the name for a
commercially available grade that is produced by
removing primarily sulfur compounds from sulfate
wood turpentine.
*Destructively distilled wood turpentine - obtained
by fractionation of certain oils recovered by
condensing the vapors formed during the destructive distillation of pine wood.

Surfacer:
A pigmented composition for filling minor irregularities
to obtain a smooth uniform surface preparatory to
applying finish coats: usually applied over a primer and
sanded for smoothness.
Tall Oil:
A generic name for a number of products obtained
from the manufacture of wood pulp by the alkali
(sulfate) process or more popularly known as the Kraft
Process. To provide some distinctions between the
various products, designations are often applied in
accordance with the process or composition, some of
which are crude tall oil, acid refined tall oil, distilled tall
oil, tall oil fatty acids or tall oil rosin.
Tall Oil Fatty Acids:
The class of products generally containing 90 percent
or more fatty acids obtained by fractionation of crude
tall oil. The fatty acids are a mixture of C18 fatty acids,
especially oleic and linoleic acids, with lesser amounts
of saturated and other unsaturated fatty acids.

Turpentines, Various:
*Canada Turpentine - Same as Canada balsam, the
oleoresin obtained from Canadian silver fir trees.
*Sulfite Turpentine - This term is not in good usage,
because the volatile oil recovered in the conversion
of wood to pulp by the sulfite process consists
chiefly of cymene (C10H14) rather than pinene and
other terpenes.
*Venice Turpentine - Same as larch turpentine, the
oleoresin of the European larch tree. The term is
also now used widely to describe the clear yellow
liquid portion of pine oleoresin, or a synthetic
product of similar composition made by dissolving
rosin in a terpene solvent.

Tall Oil Rosin:

Separated from the tall oil heads, fatty acids, and tall oil
pitch by fractional distillation of tall oil. Such rosin shall
have the characteristic form, appearance and other
physical and chemical properties normal for other kinds
of rosin.
Temporary Coating:
A coating designed to protect or decorate a substrate
for a limited time that can be readily removed either by
mechanical or chemical means.

Thinner:
The portion of a paint, varnish, lacquer or printing ink or
related product that volatizes during the drying process.

Terpenes:
A class of unsaturated organic compounds having the
empirical formula C10H16 occurring in most essential

Tint:
A color produced by the mixture of white pigment or

MINERALS COLORS CHEMICALS ADDITIVES RESINS EQUIPMENT

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Glossaries
paint in predominating amount with a colored pigment
or paint, not white. The tint of a color is, therefore,
much lighter and less saturated than the color itself.

COATING TYPES
Air Dry Coating:
A coating formulation which dries solely by solvent
evaporation without the application of heat.

Toner:
An organic pigment that does not contain inorganic
pigment or inorganic carrying base.

Architectural Coating:
Coatings intended for on-site application to interior or
exterior surfaces of residential, commercial, institutional
or industrial buildings. These finishes are applied at
ambient temperatures and dry without being heated.
Also called trade sale coatings.

Varnish:
A liquid composition that is converted to a transparent
or translucent solid film after application as a thin layer.
Some of the most common types are:
*Bituminous Varnish - A dark-colored varnish
containing bituminous ingredients. The varnish may
be either of the oil or spirit type.
*Oil Varnish - A varnish that contains resin and
drying oil as the basic film-forming ingredients and
is converted to a solid film primarily by chemical
reaction.
*Spar Varnish - A varnish for exterior surfaces. The
name originated from its use on spars of ships.
*Spirit Varnish - A varnish that is converted to a
solid film primarily by solvent evaporation.

Baking Finish:
A coating which requires heating at temperatures
above 150 F for curing and the development of
desired properties.
Coating:
A generic term for paints, lacquers, enamels, etc. Also
a liquid composition which is converted to a solid
protective, decorative or functional adherent film after
application as a thin layer.

Vehicle:
The liquid portion of a paint or printing ink. Anything
that is dissolved in the liquid portion of a paint or
printing ink is a part of the vehicle.

Enamel:
A topcoat which is characterized by its ability to form a
smooth surface. May also be called a thermosetting or
baking finish.

Viscosity, Virgin:
As supplied measured at 77 F via Gardner Holdt
viscosity standards unless otherwise noted.

House Paint:
A coating designed for use on large exterior surfaces of
a building. Generally of lower gloss than the coating
used on trim areas. May be either water based or oil
based.

Viscosity, cPa.s:
Viscosity as measured in centiPascal / seconds with
the Rotary Viscometer, Brookfield or equivalent.

Lacquer:
A coating based on thermoplastic polymer dissolved in
organic solvent and which dries primarily by solvent
evaporation. The coating can be redissolved in its
original solvent blend. The most common polymers
used in lacquers are nitrocellulose, vinyl resins and
acrylic resins.

Viscosity, Reduced:
Resin reduced to specified % n.v. as noted and thinned
with the solvent specified. Measured at 77 F with the
Gardner Holdt viscosity standards unless otherwise
noted.
Weight Per Gallon, (WPG):
The weight by volume of virgin resin solution
determined with a weight-per-US gallon measuring cup
at 77 F.

Latex:
A stable dispersion of a polymer in a continuous liquid
medium, usually water. Prepared by emulsion
polymerization.

Zinc-Rich Primer:
A primer for ferrous metals, incorporating zinc dust at a
concentration sufficient to make the dried film
electrically conductive thus providing cathodic
protection to the ferrous substrate.

Latex Paint:
A coating which uses a latex as the principal binder.
Widely used for interior and exterior house paints.
Contains only small amounts of solvents, usually
glycols, glycol ethers and glycol ether esters.
Nonaqueous Dispersion (NAD):
The solvent analogue of a latex: a dispersion of a
polymer in a volatile organic liquid which is not a

MINERALS COLORS CHEMICALS ADDITIVES RESINS EQUIPMENT

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Glossaries
solvent for the polymer. Low-solvency aliphatic
hydrocarbons are the most commonly used solvents.

Alkyds:
Synthetic resins formed by the condensation of
polyhydric alcohols and polybasic acids. They may be
regarded as complex esters. The most common
ingredients are glycerine and phthalic anhydride.
Many alkyds also are made with monocarboxylic acids
derived from vegetable oils such as soybean oil and
linseed oil. Solvent requirements vary, ranging from
strong aromatic hydrocarbons for alkyds which contain
small amounts of oil modifiers to low solvency aliphatic
hydrocarbons, suitable for alkyd resins which have
high concentrations of oil modifiers.

Oil Paint:
Paint that contains a drying oil as the sole film forming
ingredient. Linseed oil is most commonly used for this
purpose. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are used in small
amounts as the solvent.
Paint:
Any pigmented liquid designed for application to a
substrate in a thin layer which is converted to an
opaque solid film after application. Used for protection,
decoration or identification, or to serve some functional
purpose such as the filling or concealing of surface
irregularities, the modification of light and heat radiation
characteristics, etc.

Chain Stopped Alkyd:

A very fast drying alkyd that has been modified (chain
terminated) with a mono-functional material that
imparts lacquer type dry speed with fast hardness
development.

Primer:
First complete coat of paint applied to a surface.
Designed to provide adequate adhesion to new
surfaces. The type of primer varies with the surface,
its condition, and the total painting system to be used.

Copolymer Alkyd:
A drying oil alkyd modified with styrene, vinyl toluene,
reactive silicone or acrylic monomer.
Epoxy Resins:
Resins which contain epoxy groups (also known as
oxirane rings). Most commonly made from
epichlorohydrin and bisphenol A. Epoxy resins may be
liquid or solid, depending on their molecular weight.
They use mixtures of alcohol, keytones and
hydrocarbon solvents.

Shellac:
Orange colored resin which is the secretion of the lac
beetle found in great quantities in India and Indochina.
Shellac is ordinarily dissolved in denatured ethyl
alcohol.
Thermoplastic Resin:
Resin which remains fluid on heating and hardens
when cooled. Remains soluble in the original solvent
and does not become insoluble upon heating.

Nitrocellulose:
A synthetic cellulosic resin prepared by treating
cellulose with a mixture of nitric sulfuric acids. Widely
used as a resin for lacquers and as a film-forming
material for flexographic and gravure inks. Primary
resinous material used in fine furniture finishes.
Nitrocellulose requires strong solvents. Mixtures of
keytones, esters and hydrocarbons are used as
solvents, and alcohols are included as latent solvents.
Nitrocellulose is also known by the names cellulose
nitrate and pyroxylin.

Thermosetting Resin:
Resin which polymerizes to a permanently solid
infusible state upon the application of heat. Once
heated, it will not dissolve in the original solvent blend.
Varnish:
A liquid composition which is converted to a
transparent solid film after application as a thin layer.
Once the film has completely dried, it will no longer
dissolve in the solvent blend from which it was applied.

Oil Length:
Generally refers to the oil content or phthalic anhydride
content of an alkyd polymer.
*Short Oil - generally contains from 40 to 50 percent
phthalic anhydride.
*Medium Oil - contains from 30 to 40 percent
phthalic anhydride.
*Long Oil - contains from 20 to 30 percent phthalic
anhydride.

RESIN TYPES
Acrylics:
Resins made from the polymerization of esters of
acrylic and methacrylic acids. Most acrylics require
strong solvents, although some may be formulated
using aromatic hydrocarbons without oxygenated
solvents.

Polyester Resins:
A special type of alkyd resin, prepared from
dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy alcohols. Commonly

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Glossaries
copolymerized with styrene resin employing peroxide
initiators. Widely used in fiberglass reinforced plastics
in boats, chemically resistant structures and
transportation applications.

More aromatic hydrocarbon will be tolerated than

aliphatic hydrocarbon before resin precipitation occurs.
Dissolution:
The process of forming a solution, in which the resin
dissolves in the solvent.

Urethane Resins:
Materials based on isocyanate monomer reacted with
other materials to yield polymers containing any ratio of
urethane linkages, active isocyanate groups or
polyisocyanate monomer. The resin may contain
excess isocyanate groups available for further reaction
at the time of application or may contain essentially no
free isocyanate as supplied.

EGMBE:
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. (butyl Cellosolve).
Exempt Blend:
A solvent blend that complies with Rule 66 or Rule
2.62 air pollution regulations.
iso-BuOAc:
iso-butyl acetate.

Vinyl Resins:
Resins based on vinyl chloride monomer. Most
frequently copolymerized with other monomers such as
vinyl acetate. Most vinyl resins require very strong
solvents, such as keytones, to form useful solutions.

iso-BuOH:
is-butyl alcohol.
Latent Solvent:
A solvent which is not a true solvent for the material
being dissolved, but which will act as a solvent in the
presence of an active solvent. Alcohols are the most
common latent solvents.

SOLVENT TYPES
Active Solvent:
A solvent which by itself, will dissolve a resin.

MAK:
methyl n-amyl ketone.

Base Solvent:
The solvent blend which is used in the preparation of a
coating for dissolving the resin and dispersing the
pigments.

MPK:
methyl propyl ketone.

Building Block:
A relatively narrow boiling range hydrocarbon which
may be combined with other narrow range
hydrocarbons to form a multitude of blends precisely
formulated to meet specific requirements. The building
block approach employs cuts which are predominately
aromatic or predominately aliphatic in nature. The
boiling range varies from very low boiling petroleum
ether type solvents to kerosene type materials.

n-BuOAc:
normal butyl acetate.
n-BuOH:
normal butyl alcohol.
Solvent:
A liquid, usually volatile, which is used in the
manufacture of coatings to dissolve or disperse the film
-forming constituents, and which evaporates during
drying and does not become a part of the dried film.
Solvents are used to control the viscosity and character
of the finish and to regulate application properties.

Cosolvent:
A blend of two or more solvents, neither of which will
dissolve the resin by itself, but which will act as a true
solvent for the material when used together. Each
cosolvent must evaporate at about the same rate,
otherwise resin precipitation will occur as drying
proceeds.

Thinner:
A blend of solvents used to lower the viscosity of the
coating prior to application. The amount of thinner
used will depend upon the coating and the method of
application. Thinners usually contain more
hydrocarbon and less active solvent than base
solvents do.

Diluent:
A solvent which will not dissolve the resin of interest.
Normally used to dilute active solvent mixes to lower
the cost of the solvent blend without sacrificing
performance. Hydrocarbons are the most common
diluents. Active solvent mixtures differ in their
tolerance for diluents before the resin precipitates.

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Glossaries
Nitroparaffins:
Characterized by the presence of a nitro group.

CLASSES OF SOLVENTS
Oxygenated Solvents:
General designation of those solvents which contain
oxygen in addition to carbon and hydrogen in the
molecular. Oxygenated Solvents or Oxys may be
divided into several chemical types.
*Ketones - A class of active, strong solvents
characterized by a carbonyl group. Trade names
include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl
isobutyl ketone and
diacetone alcohol ketones.
*Esters - A class of active solvents formed from
organic acids and alcohols by the elimination of
water.
*Alcohols - Latent solvents for many materials.
Characterized by the presence of a Hydroxyl (-OH)
group. Capable of strong hydrogen bonding. Trade
names include isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol,
isobutyl alcohol, secondary butyl alcohol, methyl
isobutyl carbinol and 2-ethyl hexanol.
*Glycol Ethers - Prepared from alcohols and
ethylene or propylene oxide. Glycol ethers contain
both ether groups and hydroxyl groups, thereby
possessing the characteristics of both. Trade
names include butyl ether of ethylene glycol and
the butyl ether of diethylene glycol.

SOLVENT STRENGTH
Aniline Cloud Point:
A measure of solvent strength, used for aliphatic
hydrocarbon solvents only. The Aniline Cloud Point is
defined as the minimum temperature at which a 1/1 by
volume mixture of hydrocarbon and pure aniline are
miscible with each other. The Aniline Cloud Point is
also known as Aniline Point and Aniline Number. The
standard test method is ASTM D-611.
Fractional Polarity:
A measure of the polar character of a solvent. Values
range between zero and one, the higher the value, the
more polar the solvent. Hydrocarbons have very low
polarity, while oxygenated solvents have higher
polarity.
Hydrogen Bonding Index:
Measure the strength of the hydrogen bonding that
occurs in a solvent. Hydrogen bonding values range
from -18 to +15. Hydrocarbons display little hydrogen
bonding ability, alcohols are strong hydrogen binders,
and other solvents are intermediate between these two
extremes. While there are different systems for
measuring hydrogen bonding capability, the Shell
system is based on infrared analysis of the solvent.

Hydrocarbon Solvent Types:

Compounds composed exclusively of hydrogen and
carbon atoms. There are several types of hydrocarbon
compounds.
*Olefins - Characterized by unsaturation. Relatively
reactive, used as a raw material for manufacturing
many solvents. Not used in hydrocarbon solvent
directly, although traces of olefins may be found in
some hydrocarbon solvents.
*Paraffins - Completely saturated hydrocarbons
characterized by a chain structure. Poorest
solvency of the hydrocarbon solvents. Lowest odor.
*Naphthenes - Completely saturated hydrocarbons
characterized by ring structures. Intermediate
solvency between paraffin and aromatic
hydrocarbons. Intermediate odor. Also known as
cycloparaffins.
*Aromatics - Characterized by unsaturated, six
carbon benzene ring structures. Hydrocarbon
solvents which contain more that 50% aromatic
compounds are designatd as aromatic hydrocarbon
solvents. Strongest of
the hydrocarbon solvents. Strongest odor.

Kauri-Butanol Value:
A measure of solvent strength, used for hydrocarbon
solvents only. A solution of Kauri gum in n-butyl
alcohol is titrated to a specified degree of turbidity with
the hydrocarbon solvent being tested. Values range
from 20+ to 105. The higher values denote stronger
hydrocarbon solvency. Typical aliphatic hydrocarbons
have KB Values between 28 and 40, while aromatic
hydrocarbons have KB Values above 70. The
standard test method is ASTM Method D-1133
Mixed Aniline Cloud Point:
A measure for solvent strength, used for aromatic
hydrocarbon solvents only. The same equipment is
used as for the Aniline Cloud Point employed for
aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents, except that the
aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is diluted with an equal
volume of pure n-heptane before mixing with aniline.
The standard test method is ASTM D-611.
Solubility Parameter:
A measure of solvency whose major usefulness lies in
predicting whether a particular solvent will dissolve a
particular resin. Based on heat of vaporization of the

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons:
Characterized by the presence of chlorine.

MINERALS COLORS CHEMICALS ADDITIVES RESINS EQUIPMENT

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Glossaries
solvent. Stronger solvents generally have higher
solubility parameter values.

pressure of the liquid in the gas phase is equal to the

pressure of the liquid at that temperature. The vapor
pressure of a solvent is a fundamental thermodynamic
property controlling volatility, evaporation and
distillation. A solvent with a higher vapor pressure at a
given temperature will evaporate faster and distill at a
lower temperature.

Solvent Power:
A general term denoting the ability of a solvent to
dissolve resin or binder and hold it in solution. Also
known as solvency.

Volatility:
The tendency of a substance to evaporate.

SOLVENT EVAPORATION

t90:

SOLVENT GRADES:

The length of time required for 90% of the weight of the

solvent to evaporate at standard conditions. Another
convenient way to compare the evaporation rates of
solvents. The standard test method is ASTM Method
D-3539, the Shell Thin Film EvaporOmeter. In that test
method, a measured volume of solvent is dispensed
onto a piece of filter paper. The weight is recorded
automatically, then the evaporation rate is calculated
using a computer program.

Electronic Grade:
Electronic industry solvent specifications are concerned
mostly with metals content, especially heavy metals
and particulate matter content. Most solvents will meet
those specifications as produced. However,
contamination during shipping and handling can occur
very easily, rendering the solvent unsuitable. Since
dust is everywhere, careful filtration is needed at the
point of use in the electronics plant.

Distillation Range:
The temperature range over which a mixture of liquids
will distill. The range is narrow for most oxygenated
solvents, because they are essentially pure chemical
compounds. Hydrocarbon materials have wider
distillation ranges, some quite wide. ASTM Method D86 is used for hydrocarbon solvents, D-828 for
oxygenated solvents.

National Formulary (NF) Grade:

Standards for certain pharmaceuticals and reagents
published by the American Pharmaceutical
Association. Recognized as official standards by the
Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. Since 1974, the
National Formulary has been combined with the United
States Pharmacopeia (USP).

Flash Point:
The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off
sufficient vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air.
This concentration is also known as the Lower
Flammability Limit. The two most widely used test
methods are Tagliabue Closed Cup (TCC), ASTM Test
Method D-56, and the Setaflash tester, ASTM Test
Method D-3828. Any solvent which has a flash point
below 141 F is designated Red Label and must have
a specific warning sticker attached.

United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Grade:

A legally recognized compendium of standards for
drugs, published by The United States Pharmacopeial
Convention, Inc., and revised periodically. It also
includes assays and tests for the determination of
strength, quality and purity. The USP lists
specifications for a number of solvents used in the
pharmaceutical industry. Specifications covering
specific gravity, distillation range, residue on
evaporation and acidity are the most common. For
materials for which a USP standard has not been
established, the ACS Reagent grade is frequently
specified. The American Chemical Society standards
are published in ACS Reagent Chemicals.

Relative Evaporation Rate:

The evaporation rate of a solvent compared to a
standard, usually n-butyl acetate, with the rate of nbutyl acetate set equal to 1.00. Solvents which
evaporate faster than n-butyl acetate have a relative
evaporation rate greater than one. Those which
evaporate more slowly have a relative evaporation rate
of less than one.

Urethane Grade:
Urethane grade solvents are needed for use with
urethane formulations. Any substance which contains
active hydrocarbons capable of reacting with
isocyanates will be restricted to very low levels.
Specifications for urethane grade solvents typically
center on very low water and alcohol contents, typically
0.1% or less. Glycol ethers also contain active
hydrocarbons and are not suitable for use in urethanes.

Vapor Pressure:
The pressure exerted when a liquid is in equilibrium
with its own vapor. A liquid, enclosed in a given space
at a given temperature, will evaporate until the

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Glossaries
Historically, esters have contained significant amounts
of alcohol. More recently, alcohol free grades of esters
have been produced with the designation Urethane
Grade. The usual quality grades of hydrocarbons and
ketones ordinarily are suitable for urethanes, even
though they may not be designated specifically as
urethane grade.

reviews of data on carcinogenicity for agents to which

human beings are known to be exposed.
CAS Number:
Chemical Abstracts Service identification number
assigned to a chemical or mixture by the American
Chemical Society. The CAS number is recognized and
used throughout the world by scientific and regulatory
organizations.

REGULATORY TERMS

CERCLA:
Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980. Also known
as Superfund, this act has been extended and
amended by SARA. Administered by EPA, the act
regulates clean-up and liability for hazardous waste
sites, and also establishes reporting requirements for
releases into the environment of EPCRA listed
chemicals.

33/50 Initiative (Air Toxics Initiative):

A voluntary EPA program, in which over 500
companies were asked to reduce emissions of
seventeen compounds at a faster rate than would
occur under the Air Toxics provisions of the Clean Air
Act Amendments. The objective is 33% reduction by
the end of 1992 compared to 1988 emission levels,
and 50% by the end of 1995.

Chemical Drug Trafficing Act (CDTA):

As part of attempts to control illicit drug manufacture
and distribution, the sale and shipment of some
designated chemicals are monitored. This Federal law
tracks the sale and shipping of two classes of
substances employed in the production of illicit drugs:
Precursor substances, and essential substances.
Precursors become part of the drug molecule itself,
while essential substances are needed for drug
processing. Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and toluene
are designated as essential substances and could be
used as recrystallization solvents in cocaine
manufacture. Sellers must validate the identity of
purchasers of those solvents and file specific
paperwork for each export shipment.

Alternative Control Techniques (ACTs):

Refers to guidance to be developed by the EPA for
VOC and NOx sources of 25 tons per year or more.
American Conference of Government and
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH):
The body empowered to develop the Threshold Limit
Values (TLVs) which govern permissible worker
exposure. Located in Cincinnati, OH, they publish a
summary booklet of TLVs in addition to a summary of
the information used to decide the TLV for a specific
compound.
Area Source:
Any stationary source of hazardous air pollutants that
is not a major source, to be regulated under a different
provision of the Clean Air Act Amendments.

Clean Air Act:

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 require EPA to
issue approximately 400 new regulations and an untold
number of guidelines and policy statements ranging
from acid rain, protection of the stratospheric ozone
layer, and permits. Under Section 112, National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAPs), the EPA must establish a list of
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), a list of HAP
emission source categories and establish standards
based on maximum achievable control technology
(MACT) for each major source category.

Best Available Control Technology (BACT):

Technology required on new major sources and major
modifications subject to PSD requirements, which
reflect the best controls in use taking into account costs
and other non-air quality factors.
California Air Resources Board (CARB):
The air pollution control agency for the state of
California.
Carcinogen:
The Registry of Toxics Effects of Chemical Substances
(RTECS), published by NIOSH, indicates whether a
chemical has been fund by the United Nations
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
or the National Toxicology Program (NTP) to be a
carcinogen or a potential carcinogen. IARC has
published approximately 47 monographs or critical

Control Technique Guidelines (CTGs):

Guidance documents developed by EPA to advise
status of controls that must be required as RACT in
ozone nonattainment areas. The CTGs will be
expanded and revised under provisions of the Clean
Air Act Amendments.

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Glossaries
Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs):
Plans that the Federal EPA must promulgate and
enforce, if states fail to develop approvable SIPs.

(secondary standards). The six pollutants are carbon

monoxide, oxides
of nitrogen, ozone, sulfur dioxide, lead and particulate
matter.

Flash Point:
The temperature at which a liquid will give off enough
flammable vapor to ignite when a tease flame is
passed through the vapor space. Many safety
regulations contain provisions which are based on the
flash point temperature.

National Emission Standards for Hazardous

Air Pollutants (NESHAPs):
A program established to regulate hazardous air
pollutants. Sets MACT standards and requires a
second round of residual risk standards.

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs):

A list of 188 compounds and classes of compounds in
the Clean Air Act Amendments which are singled out
for special emission reduction measures.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

The NFPA develops, publishes and disseminates
standards, prepared by approximately 250 technical
committees, intended to minimize the possibility and
effects of fire and explosion. NFPA publish the
National Fire Codes annually, a compilation of over
270 fire codes, standards, recommended practices,
manuals and guides on fire protection. NFPA section
30 governs the handling and use of flammable and
combustible liquids.

HM-181:
A federal regulation governing the labeling and
shipping of flammable and combustible substances.
For shipping purposes, the division between a
flammable substance and a combustible substance is
now 141 F, rather than 100 F. This conforms United
States regulations to international regulations.

New Source Performance Standards (NSPSs):

Source specific emissions standards set for new and
modified sources.

HM-183:
A federal regulation governing the selection of the
proper shipping container for materials shipped in
barges, tank cars and tank trucks. The vapor pressure
and weight per gallon at 115 F, which must be
provided for each substance, governs the validation of
a particular container for the intended use.

New Source Review (NSR):

A program for pre-construction review of new major
sources and major modifications under PSD
nonattainment requirements.
Nonattainment:
A program established requiring controls necessary to
attain the National Air Quality Standards in areas
currently not meeting them.

Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER):

The degree of emissions control required on new
major sources and major modifications in
nonattainment areas. The technology must be the
best in use or most stringent in any SIP and cost is not
taken into account.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):

The PEL is established by the Department of Labor
through the Occupational Health and Safety
Administration. Each represents the maximum worker
exposure allowed for a substance over and eight hour
day. While both TLV and PEL values have been
established for many substances, they are not
necessarily the same. The TLVs are examined and
modified more frequently than the PEL values.
Consequently, in many cases, the TLV represents a
more recent evaluation of the hazards associated with
worker exposure to a substance.

Major Source:
Any stationary source which has emissions exceeding
the threshold level for a particular pollutant. The
specific emissions level that defines a major source
depends upon the pollutant and the degree of pollution
in the nonattainment area.
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT):
Technology to be established for major sources of 188
listed hazardous air pollutants. MACT must reflect the
maximum degree of reduction available, taking into
account costs and other factors.

Photochemically Reactive:
Any solvent which exceeds the levels permitted in any
of three restricted categories, or in sum, is designated
Photochemically Reactive. Olefins are in category
one, and may not exceed 5% by volume. Category ll
contains C8 + aromatics, excluding ethylbenzene, and
may not exceed 8%. Category lll contains toluene,
ethylbenzene, branched ketones and trichlorethylene,

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQSs):

Standards for maximum allowable concentration of six
air pollutants in ambient air set by the EPA to protect
public health with an adequate margin of safety
(primary standards) and to protect the environment

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Glossaries
and the limit is 20%. In addition, the sum of all three
categories may not exceed 20% by volume. The rule,
known originally as Rule 66 was promulgated in 1967
in Los Angeles, CA, and is roughly based on smog
chamber testing. Aromatics and branched ketones
have been strongly affected by the Rule 66 approach.
This definition is now contained in Rule 102 of the
South Coast Air Quality Management District. The
photochemically reactivity concept has been largely
supplanted by the VOC concept in regulations.

SARA Title lll:

The main requirements for Title lll (the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act) of the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
(SARA) involve sections governing Extremely
Hazardous Substances, CERCLA hazardous
substances, the Toxic Release Inventory and MSDS
categories.
*SARA Section 302 - Threshold planning quantity of
Extremely Hazardous Substance for emergence
and notification.
*SARA Section 304 - This section lists the CERCLA
hazardous substance subject to emergency release
notification.
*SARA Section 311/312 - Delineates health and
physical hazard categories for MSDS Reporting.
*SARA Section 313 - The Toxics Release Inventory
(TRI). Facilities that handle chemicals designated in
the TRI must complete a toxic chemical release
form annually detailing releases during the
preceding calendar year. These releases may be
allowed under air or water permits, may be spills of
waste or product
materials or may be fugitive emissions. The
reporting threshold for 1989 and thereafter is 25,000
pounds. A de minimis limit applies to toxic
chemicals present in concentrations below 1%, or
0.1% if the chemical is a
carcinogen. The TRI is placed in a database open
to the public. Environmental groups use TRI
information to put pressure on industrial firms to
reduce their emissions.

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD):

A program established to preserve air quality in areas
already meeting the NAAQS.
Proposition 65:
Formerly known as the California Safe drinking Water
and Toxic Enforcement Act, the act was voted in by
California voters through the initiative process. The
state establishes two lists, one of which contains
compounds known to the state to cause cancer, while
the other list contains compounds known to be
fetotoxic. Labeling requirements were established to
assure that anyone potentially exposed to compounds
on the list is notified. Since an advisory committee
periodically reviews the lists and adds compounds, the
list is always changing.
The Resource Conservation Recovery
Act of 1976 (RCRA):
Administered by the EPA, the act regulates the
activities of generators, transporters and those who
treat, store or dispose of hazardous wastes, and
provides cradle to grave authority to control
hazardous wastes from their generation to their
ultimate disposal. RCRA regulations establish criteria
to identify which wastes are hazardous and in what
quantities, concentrations, forms of disposal,
monitoring hazardous waste sites and regulating
underground storage tanks.

South Coast Air Quality Management

District (SCAQMD):
The air pollution control body established in Southern
California. SCAQMD governs air pollution control
efforts in Los Angeles County, Orange County,
Riverside County and San Bernardino County.
State Implementation Plans (SIPs):
Plans that each state must develop to provide for
attainment and maintenance of the NAAQSs.

Reasonability Available Control

Technology (RACT):
Technology required to be installed on existing major
sources in attainment areas. RACT reflects controls
EPA has identified in CTGs or other guidance.

Theshold Limit Value (TLV):

The American Conference of Governmental and
Industrial Hygienists reviewed several hundred existing
chemicals in order to provide industrial hygienists with
an evaluation of health hazards in the workplace. The
TLV is the limit believed by the ACGIH to which nearly
all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day
without adverse affects. The airborne concentration is
expressed as TLV/TWA or TLV/STEL (Short Term
Exposure Limit).

Right-To-Know:
OSHA enacted the Hazard Communication Standard
in 1985 to mandate occupational hazard
communications to employees. Both state and local
laws pertaining to this subject are preempted by federal
standard, unless a federally approved state plan is in
effect.

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Glossaries
Volatile Organic Compounds. (VOCs):
Pollutants the react photochemically in sunlight with
NOx to produce ozone. While VOCs are not
necessarily pollutants themselves, reducing VOC
emission is the principle technique for attaining the
ozone NAAQS.

Iron Oxide Pigments

-Primers
-Machine Coatings
-Specialized Epoxy Finishes
-Aqueous and Inorganic Inks
Manganese Violet Pigments
-Artists Colors
-Crayons and Inks

BSIS ASSORTMENT OF PRODUCTS

FOR THE PAINT AND COATINGS MARKET

Organic Pigments - (Red, Yellow,

Blue, Green)
-OEM General Industrial
-Light Fast
-Bleed Resistant

MINERALS:
Barytes - (Barium Sulfate)
-Corrosion Resistance

Titanium Dioxides
-White Pigment

Bentonites / attapulgite Clays

-Thickening Agents
-Suspending Agents

Ultramarine Pigments - (Blue,

Violet, Pink)
-Artists Colors
-Crayons and Inks

Blanc Fixe - (Precipitated Barium Sulfate)

-Smudge Resistance
-Gloss Emulsion
Calcium Carbonates
-Rust Inhibitors
-Masonry Waterproofing

CHEMICALS:
Barium Sulfate - (Precipitated)
-Weather / Chemical Resistance
-Surface Hardness
-Color Stability
-High Gloss
-Powder Coatings

Calcium Sulfates
-Pigment Extenders
Micas
-Film Formation Enhancers
-Waterproofing Agents
-Improved Permeability

Hydrated Aluminas
-Titanium Dioxide Extenders
-Hi-Solids Coating
-Color Enhancers

Diatomaceous Earth
-Flatting Agents
Talcs - (Magnesium Silicates)
-Viscosity Control
-Suspension Agents
-Chalking Control
-Flatting Agents

Magnesium Oxides / Hydroxides

-pH Adjustment
-Color Development
-Bodying Agents

COLORS:

Stearates
-Waterproofing
-Suspension Agents
-Flatting Agents

Cadmium Pigments - (Yellow, Orange

Red, Maroon)
-Artists Colors
-Crayons and Inks

Specialty Additives
-Pigment Dispersion
-Flow Agents
-Anti-Mar and Slip
-Surface Tension Modifiers

Chromium Oxide Greens

-UV and Heat Stable
-Acid and Alkali Resistant

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Glossaries
LOCAL OFFICES

-Defoamers
-Anti-Flood / Anti-Float
-Stain Vehicles
-Misc. Additives

Northeast:
1000 Coolidge St.
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
800-732-0562 (Phone)
800-543-1481 (Fax - Orders)
800-833-8139 (Fax - General)
908-757-3488 (Fax - Overseas)
CSNewJersey@Brenntag.com (E-mail)

Waxes
-Printing Ink Tackifiers
-Food Grade Inks
-Paint Removers
-Varnishes and Lacquers
-Anti-Fouling Agents

Mid-Atlantic:

Zinc Sulfide
-Highly Pigmented Coatings
-Undercoats, Primers
-Marking Paints
-Powder Coatings

5700 Tacony St.

Philadelphia, PA 19135
800-423-7423 (Phone)
800-864-9824 (Fax)
CSPhiladelphia@Brenntag.com (E-mail)

Southeast:

RESINS:

6525 The Corners Parkway

Suite 208
Norcross, GA 30092
800-833-8142 (Phone)
800-833-8143 (Fax)
CSNorcross@Brenntag.com (E-mail)

Polymers
-Alkyds
-Acrylics
-Polyesters
-Other Specialty Polymers

Midwest:

Technologies
-Conventional
-High Solids
-Water-Borne

24012 W. Renwick Road

Suite 200
Plainfield, IL 60544
800-833-8140 (Phone)
800-833-8141 (Fax)
CSPlainfield@Brenntag.com (E-mail)

End Uses
-Aerospace Coatings
-Car Refinish
-Coil Coatings
-Container Coatings
-General Industrial (Metal, Plastic, Wood)
-Architectural Coating
-OEM Coatings

Southwest:
5300 Memorial Drive
Suite 1040
Houston, TX 77007
800-627-2436 (Phone)
877-796-7257 (Fax)
CSHouston@Brenntag.com (E-mail)

West:
355 E. Rincon Street
Suite 200
Corona, CA 92879
800-227-1345 (Phone)
925-376-8209 (Fax)
CSCorona@Brenntag.com (E-mail)

Web Page Address:

www.brenntagspecialties.com

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