Alkyds are polyester resins used in paints, varnishes, enamels, metal smelting, and electrical products. They bond well to wood, cover stains, inhibit rust, and give a thicker consistency. However, they are not suitable for painting galvanized steel, concrete, or masonry. Fine artists sometimes use alkyd paints because they dry faster than traditional oils and can be combined with oils in the same project.
Alkyds are polyester resins made by combining a certain type of fatty acid, known as dicarboxylic acid, and polyol, a type of alcohol. They are liquids and are mostly used as one of the main ingredients in many paints, varnishes and enamels. An alkyd resin base acts as a binder in these coatings, holding other ingredients together and giving them the ability to bond to many surfaces.
Another use for alkyds occurs in metal smelting. Often in this sector they are used to create moulds. When used for mold making, an alkyd resin is typically combined with a metal desiccant and a chemical, in the form of a polymeric isocyanate, to increase the drying time. In this setting, the alkyd binds sand-based molds together, drying without toxic fumes.
Alkyds are also often used extensively in the manufacture of electrical products. They tend to make an excellent potting material for capacitors and resistors. Also, they can be used in switch insulation and circuit breakers. This is because they are very heat resistant and do not conduct electricity easily.
When alkyds are used in paints, they give them certain qualities that are different from water-soluble latex paints. Generally, because alkyd products aren’t water-based, they bond well to the wood without raising the grain. They also work well on latex paints to cover up stains or discoloration. Additionally, they can be used on steel and other metals that corrode in the presence of oxygen, inhibiting rust.
An added benefit of alkyds as paint binders is that they can give a thicker consistency. This results in a brush or roller that picks up more paint. The denser consistency, on the other hand, does not make lumps, but spreads evenly and smoothly due to the characteristics of the binder.
There are applications where alkyd paint is not desirable. Some of these cases are in the painting of galvanized steel, concrete and masonry. Each of these surfaces has certain chemicals that react with alkyds and saponify or form soap. This causes flaking and damage to the underlying material. Alkyd paint also tends to lift the pile on drywall and is not recommended for use on it unless the drywall has been primed with a latex paint first.
Fine artists, who often use oil paints in their work, sometimes choose to use alkyd paints as well. This is generally due to the fact that they dry quicker than traditional oils and all colors have similar drying times. A painting finished with alkyds can be painted much faster than one with oils. Another benefit to the artist is that alkyds and oils can be combined in the same project without detrimental effects.
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