ABRASIVE: A substance used forwearing away a surface by friction.Examples of abrasives include pow-dered pumice, rottenstone, sand paper,steel wool and rubbing compound.

ABSORPTION: The act of taking up,drinking in or assimilating. A surface isconsidered absorbent when it takes intoitself and holds the finishing materialapplied over it.

ACCELERATE: To hasten or quickenthe natural progress of an event orseries of events. For example, thedrying of finishing materials is acceler-ated by an increase of temperature.

ACCELERATED TEST: A test inwhich the conditions are chosen so as toobtain the results, such as the effect ofweathering on a coating, in a shorteramount of time than would be requiredunder other conditions.

ACETATES: A group of organicsolvents used in making lacquers andother coatings. Acetates are derivedfrom the reaction of alcohols with aceticacid. The acetate usually takes its namefrom the alcohol, such as ethyl acetatefrom ethyl alcohol.

ACID NUMBER: An expression of theamount of free acid in fats, oils, waxesand resins or solutions thereof, ex-pressed as the number of milligrams ofpotassium hydroxide required toneutralize one gram of the materialbeing tested.

ACRYLIC RESIN: A synthetic resin,water-white in color, very transparent,and resistant to discoloration, moisture,alcohols, acids, alkalies and mineraloils.

ACTINIC RAYS: Those rays of lightthat cause chemical changes in films offinishing materials. These rays are theshorter wavelengths in the spectrum, inthe blue and ultra-violet range. Theserays, in conjunction with moisture andtemperature changes, contribute to thedeterioration of films.

ACTIVE SOLVENT: A solvent thatwill readily dissolve or liquify a resin.

ADHESION: The property that causesone material to stick to another. Thiscan be affected by the condition of thesurface to be coated, by the closeness ofcontact, as well as by the molecularforces of the unlike substances.

ADSORPTION: A type of adhesionthat occurs at the surface of a solid orliquid in contact with another medium,thus allowing an increased number ofmolecules of the gas or liquid tobecome attached to the surface of thesolid at the point of contact.

ADULTERATION: The act ofsubstituting one substance in whole orpart for another that usually results in acost reduction.

AGING: Allowing a coating to standundisturbed for an extensive period oftime. Aging improves most clearfinishing materials through greaterclarity but some varnishes, paints andenamels tend to skin over, thicken, ordeteriorate in other ways or theirchemical or physical properties areunstable.

AGGREGATE: A group of two ormore particles of a material that areheld together so tightly by adhesiveforces that they tend to remain intact asa group. The grinding of paint orenamel is required principally forbreaking apart aggregates of pigmentparticles rather than for reducing thesize of the individual particle.

AIR DRYING: The drying processused with a finishing material that iscapable of hardening or curing atordinary room temperature, i.e., 60°Fto 80°F.

ALCOHOL: In the finishing materialindustry, this is generally understood tomean denatured alcohol, or ethylalcohol that has been rendered unfit forbeverage purposes by the addition of a

denaturant. Chemically, an alcohol isa hydroxyl containing organiccompound.

ALIPHATIC: A descriptive nameapplied to petroleum products derivedfrom paraffin base crude oil. Gasoline,mineral spirits, naphtha and keroseneare typical, aliphatic or “straightchain” hydrocarbons, as distinguishedfrom coal tar solvents or “cyclichydrocarbons,” such as benzol andtoluol.

ALKYD: A synthetic resin that ismade by the reaction of a polybasicacid, such as phthalic, maleic orsuccinic acid, with a polyhydricalcohol, such as glycerine. Vegetableoils, fatty acids and other resins areoften used as modifying agents.

ALLIGATORING: The appearanceof a paint, varnish or lacquer film thatis cracked into large segments,resembling the hide of an alligator.This can be caused by heavy coats, byre-coating before the bottom coat iscompletely dry, by using thinners thatevaporate too quickly or by applying aless elastic material over a more elasticone.

AMBER: A yellowish translucentresin formerly used in the manufactureof varnish but now very scarce andexpensive. The term is also used torefer to the color of a resin or varnish.

AMORPHOUS: A term used todescribe finely divided solid sub-stances that are composed of indi-vidual particles without regular ordefinite crystalline form.

ANIMAL OIL: Oil obtained fromanimal tissues. The only drying orsemi-drying animal oil is that obtainedfrom certain species of fish.

ANHYDRIDE: The chemical termused to describe a compound, whichbecomes an organic acid upon theaddition of water.

TECHNICAL DICTIONARY FOR COATINGS

January 2002Solvents CouncilAmerican Chemistry Council

ANHYDROUS: A materialcontaining no water, especiallywater of crystallization.

ANILINE COLORS: Colors madefrom aniline oil or coal tar deriva-tives, used in the manufacture ofwood stains. Aniline dyes are madein different grades to be soluble inwater, alcohol or hydrocarbons, andaccordingly are called “watercolors,” “spirit colors” and “oilcolors,” respectively.

ANTI-CORROSIVE PAINT: Thisis a type of coating made withneutral or slightly alkaline pigmentsand a water resisting vehicle for useas a primer on steel and othermetals to prevent or retard corro-sion.

ANTI-FOULING PAINT: This isa type of coating that contains atoxic or poisonous substance toprevent the attachment of barnaclesor other marine growth to the hullof ships or other objects submergedin water.

ANTI-OXIDANT: A materialwhich, when added to a varnish oran oil, allows oxidation to progressto the desired stage and then retardssubsequent oxidation. The anti-oxidant extends the life of the film.

ANTIQUE FINISH: A finish thatis designed to give the appearanceof age to an article. This is usuallyachieved by highlighting the partsthat would normally receive thegreatest wear or by darkening theunworn portions to simulate theaccumulation of smoke and dirt.

ANTI-SKINNING AGENT: Amaterial which, when added to avarnish or an oil, will prevent a skinof partially oxidized material fromforming on the surface of the liquidwhile in the container or just beforeuse.

APPLICATION: The principalmethods of applying finishingmaterials are: brushing, spraying,dipping, roller coating, flowing,tumbling, squeezing, stenciling andprinting. Applications can be

described as follows: When the entiresurface to be coated has been covered, anapplication has been made. When thesame surface is re-coated, a secondapplication has been made. Two or moreapplications may be considered as one coatif the normal drying time was not allowedbetween applications.

AROMATIC: An aromatic hydrocarbonis one derived from or characterized by thepresence of the benzene nucleus, ascontrasted to the aliphatic or “straightchain” hydrocarbons. Coal tar solvents,such as benzol (benzene), toluol (toluene),solvent naphtha and xylol (xylene) aresome of the more familiar aromatic or“cyclic” solvents.

ASH: The non-combustible residue, whichremains after a material is burned orheated at a very high temperature.

ASPHALTUM: A black or brown solid orsemi-solid substance used in makingasphaltum varnish or black Japan. Othernames for similar materials are: “asphalt,”“bitumen,” “gilsonite,” “pitch” and “tar.”

ASPHALTUM VARNISH: A solution ofasphaltum or pitch, prepared either by thehot or cold method, with or without theaddition of drying oils, metallic dryers,other resins or volatile thinners, accordingto the method of manufacture and the useto which the finished product is to be put.

AZEOTROPE: A liquid mixture that ischaracterized by a constant boiling pointthat is lower or higher than any of theboiling points of the components. In rareinstances the boiling point of the azeotropecan be intermediate to those of theindividual components.

BACTERICIDE: A substance thatinhibits the growth of mildew, mold orbacteria on the dried surface when addedto varnish, oil, paint or enamel.

BAKING: The process of drying a coatedmaterial by the application of artificialheat. Forced drying is a mild form ofbaking, where temperatures of 100°F to150°F are used as contrasted to 175°F to400°F for baking.

BALD SPOT: An area or patch in awrinkle finish film that has failed towrinkle or that does not give the desiredoptical effect.

BALL MILL: A type of paint millthat employs steel balls inside of arevolving cylinder which, as they fallagainst each other and against theinterior surface of the cylinder, breakup the pigment aggregates, wet theindividual pigment particles with thevehicle, and reduce the size of thepigment particles.

BARYTES: A natural, white, inertpigment, consisting chiefly of bariumsulfate. Used extensively as anextender in paints and as a base forchemical colors.

BASE: A term having several mean-ings, according to the context:

1. In color manufacture, a materialupon which organic dyes or colors areprecipitated to form lakes or toners;

2. In coating materials manufacture,an original concentrated mixture ofmaterials to which other ingredientsare added to make a finished product;

3. Chemically, an alkaline material,capable of uniting with an acid to forma salt.

BATCH: The quantity produced inone complete operation.

BATU GUM: A semi-fossil damarresin imported from the East Indies.

BEESWAX: A wax secreted byhoneybees for making their honey-comb. The melting point is about150°F.

BINDER: The non-volatile, film-forming solid portion of the vehicle ina coating that binds the pigmentparticles together after the film is dry.

BITE: This occurs when a topcoatmaterial partially dissolves or softensan underneath coat.

BITTY: Describes the appearance of afinishing material when small bits ofskin or partially hardened material arepresent.

BLACKNESS: Description of theovertone of a black coating. Forexample, a material that absorbs all thelight waves is “jet black”; if some blue

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Solvents Council Page 2Technical Dictionary for Coatings

wavelengths are reflected, thematerial is a “blue black” coating,etc.

BLEACHING AGENT: A materialthat permanently lightens the colorof the object on which it is used.

BLEEDING: Describes the processthat occurs when the color of a stainor other coating material works upinto succeeding coats, imparting tothem a certain amount of color.Conversely, a non-bleeding color isone that is not soluble in materialsapplied over it.

BLENDING: Often used as asynonym for “mixing”(i.e., whentwo materials are blended togetherthey are intimately mixed together).Also used to denote the gradualshading off from one color toanother on a finished surface.Additionally, it is used to denote thepartial mixture of two or morecolors after application, so there is agradual change from one color toanother.

BLISTERING: The formation ofbubbles or pimples on the surface offinished work. Anything that causesa gas or vapor to form under thefilm may cause blistering. Forexample, blistering can be caused byexposure to excessive heat, by greaseor other volatile material under thefinish, by moisture in the wood, orby the too frequent application ofcoats.

BLOOM: A bluish cast, whichforms on the surface of a dried filmof finishing material. This may becaused by a deposition of smoke orother foreign material from theatmosphere or by the softening ofthe film during rubbing operations,thus allowing traces of oil to remainon or in the surface which latersweats out to form a hazy film.“blooming” should not be used todescribe the blushing of a lacquerfilm, as a bloom develops after thefilm is dry, whereas a blush developsduring the drying operation.

BLUEING: Same as “BLOOM.”

BLUSHING: The formation of a white orgrayish cast in a spirit varnish, shellac orlacquer film during the drying period. Thisis caused by the partial or total precipita-tion of the solid ingredients as a result ofcondensed moisture in the film due toexcessive humidity or by improper solventbalance, resulting in the true solventsevaporating first and the diluent or non-solvent portion evaporating later. Theaddition of a quantity of slow evaporatingtrue solvent, known as a “blush retarder”,usually prevents blushing.

BODY: Often used to describe the fullnessor thickness of film on the work. Also usedto describe the consistency or viscosity of afinishing material.

BODYING ACTION: The tendency of afinishing material to take on a thickerconsistency upon standing in the package.The action is similar to a material“LIVERING” or “PUDDING,” except thatit does not proceed so far.

BODYING AGENT: A material added toa protective coating to increase theviscosity.

BODY ON WORK: The apparentthickness of a dried film of finishingmaterial.

BOG OAK: Originally used to describethe black color produced in oak logs,which had lain buried for years in bogs.This color is imitated by the use of blackstains to color lighter oak.

BOILING POINT: The temperature atwhich the vapor pressure of a liquid isequal to or very slightly greater than theatmospheric pressure of the environment.Practically, this is the temperature at whicha liquid begins to boil.

BOND: The adhesion between twodissimilar materials.

BOND COAT: A coating used to improvethe adherence of succeeding coats.

BOTTOM DRYING: The process inwhich a coating dries from the bottom uprather than the top down. Certain types ofdriers when used with certain oils tend topromote bottom drying.

BOXING: The intimate mixing of afinishing material by repeatedlypouring a portion of the originalquantity into a second portion in apartially filled container.

BREAK: The flocculent material or“foots” that separate from an oil uponlong standing or upon subjection toheat. Varnishes or lacquers are said tobreak when a portion of the solidingredients separates from the liquid inthe package. The term is also used todescribe liquid separating from thepigment in a coat of paint soon afterapplication.

BRIDGING: The ability of a finishingmaterial to cover a crack, void or smallgap without a break in the film, whichusually results in an air pocket underthe dried film.

BRIGHTNESS: This term describes:

1. The quantity of light emitted in adirection perpendicular to the surface;

2. The degree of apparent luster in adried film;

3. The purity of a hue or freedom fromdarkness of color, such as a “brightgreen;”

4. The freedom of turbidity or sus-pended matter in a transparentmaterial.

BRILLIANCE: The relative apparentpurity of a color to the eye or theamount of glitter or surface reflection,such as “brilliant luster.”

BRITTLENESS: The converse oftoughness or tenacity. The brittlenessof a dried film is evident through itstendency to crack or flake when bentor scratched.

BRUSHABILITY: The ease withwhich a material can be applied with abrush under practical conditions.

BRUSH MARKS: In coatings appliedwith a brush, these are marks of thebrush that remain in the dried film.These marks can be caused by workingthe material after its solvents haveevaporated to the point that the

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flowing power has been lost or bydefects in formulation that preventthe material from leveling out afterit has been brushed.

BUBBLE TEST: A method ofcomparing the viscosity of a varnishor lacquer with another material ofknown viscosity or consistency.Generally, tubes of the exactinternal diameter are filled with thetwo materials. The two tubes areheld adjacent to each other in avertical position and quicklyinverted. The comparative rate withwhich the bubbles rise in the tubesis a rough measure of the relativeviscosities, since the heavierconsistency will result in the bubblerising more slowly in the invertedtube.

BUBBLING: The appearance ofbubbles in a film when a material isbeing applied. This can be causedby any condition that causes air,vapors, or gases to be trapped in thefilm while it is soft, but after it hashardened sufficiently to prevent thegas from escaping.

BUFFER COAT: A coat offinishing material applied overanother dried film to protect it fromthe solvent action of the succeedingcoats.

BUILDING COAT: A finishingmaterial, usually of a transparentnature, which is used over the sealeror color coats and under thefinishing coats to increase thefullness of the finished work.

BULKING VALUE: The increasedvolume produced by grinding aquantity of pigment in a vehicle,usually expressed as the gallonsadded by grinding 100 pounds ofpigment. The bulking valuedepends mostly upon the specificgravity of the pigment, although oilabsorption, fineness of particle sizeand similar conditions have someeffect on the results in actualpractice.

BUNGHOLE: A round opening ina drum, barrel or cask that is closedwith a tightly fitting plug or bung.

“Bunghole boiled” linseed oil is an oil thathas a small amount of liquid drier added toit in order to make the drying propertiescloser to those of heat-treated oil.

BURN: A finishing material is describedas “burned” when the dried film is rubbedtoo strenuously with insufficient lubricant,causing the finish to soften and stick to therubbing pad.

BURNING IN: The process of repairingscratches and damaged spots in a finish bymelting stick shellac or similar compoundsinto the defect by means of a heated knife.

CAKING: The formation of a “cake” ofvarnish or lacquer on the rubbing padduring the rubbing operation. This can becaused by improperly dried varnish, notenough lubricant, too much pressure onthe rubbing pad, too fine or too hard felt inthe pad, inferior pumice, dirt in thevarnish surface and other similar causes.

CALCIUM CARBONATE: Thechemical term for calcite or whiting.Obtained from natural deposits of chalk,calcite or dolomite, it is usually used as awhite inert pigment.

CALCIUM SULPHATE: Chemicallyhydrated sulphate of calcium. A whiteinert pigment which almost completelyloses its color and opacity when ground inoil.

CAMPHOR: A white translucent solid ofa peculiar characteristic odor, which isderived from a species of laurel tree grownchiefly in Taiwan. In the early days oflacquer applications, it was used as asoftener or plasticizer to give flexibility toa film. It is seldom used in present daylacquer manufacture due to its highvolatility.

CANDELILLA WAX: A wax obtainedfrom a small shrub in Mexico. It is a littlesofter than carnauba wax, having amelting point of about 156°F.

CARBON BLACK: A black pigmentproduced by the burning of natural gaswith an insufficient supply of air thatresults in a finely divided form of carbon.

CARNAUBA WAX: One of the hardestwaxes in use, having a melting point ofabout 185°F. It is obtained from the leaves

of a species of palm grown in Braziland is yellow in color.

CASE HARDENING: The conditionthat occurs when the upper portion of afinishing material dries hard andinterior remains more or less soft andmushy rather than drying thoroughlythroughout. This can be caused bydrying the coating with the relativehumidity of the atmosphere being toolow. Case hardening may result inchecking, cracking and alligatoring inthe completely dried coating.

CASEIN: A non-crystalline solidobtained from milk, soya beans andsimilar sources. This is generally usedin the paint industry as a binder inwater paints.

CASTOR OIL: Pale yellowish oralmost colorless, viscous, non-dryingoil obtained from the seeds of thecastor bean, used as a plasticizer inlacquers and similar products. Whensubjected to a special treatment toremove approximately 5% of thechemically combined water, it isconverted into a drying oil known asdehydrated castor oil, which is used toa great extent in the manufacture ofsynthetic resin and varnishes.

CATALYST: A substance that in smallquantities accelerates a chemicalreaction by taking part in the reactionwithout being consumed. For example,driers are used as a catalyst in theoxidation of vegetable oils.

CELLULOSE: A natural carbohy-drate high polymer that is the principalconstituent of raw cotton and manyother fibers obtained from the veg-etable kingdom. This is generally usedby the finishing material industrybecause nitrocellulose, ethylcelluloseand other raw materials are obtainedfrom it by complicated chemicalreactions.

CELLULOSE NITRATE: See“NITROCELLULOSE.”

CENTRIFUGE: A machine used forclarifying varnishes and similarmaterials by throwing out the solidparticles, which have a higher specificgravity, through the action of centrifu-gal force.

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Solvents Council Page 4Technical Dictionary for Coatings

CERESIN: A wax obtained fromozocerite and sometimes used as asubstitute for beeswax. It has amelting point of about 180°F.

CHALK: A natural, soft, whitecalcium carbonate mineral usuallyof seashell origin, which aftergrinding and purifying is a source ofwhiting.

CHALKING: The condition thatoccurs when a loose powder, derivedfrom the film itself, is formed on thesurface of a dried film or justbeneath the surface. This can becaused by a disintegration of thebinder portion of the film. It may bedetected by rubbing the film withthe fingertip or with a piece of clothof contrasting color.

CHASER: A mill used for grindingstiff pastes such as putty. Consists ofa circular pan, which retains themixture to be ground, and one ormore heavy rollers, usually of stone,mounted at the end of a horizontalaxis which permits them to revolveedgewise against the bottom of thepan as they progress around avertical axis at the center of the pan.

CHECKING: A condition similarto alligatoring, except that the finishis broken into smaller segments.“Crowfoot checking” is the namegiven to the defect when the breaksin the film form a definite three-prong pattern with the breaksrunning outward from a centralpoint of intersection. When thechecks are generally arranged inparallel lines, the defect is known as“line checking.” Irregular checkswithout a definite pattern are knownas “irregular checking.”

CHEMICALLY PURE: Thisdescribes a substance that is of adefinite chemical composition; freefrom adulteration, extenders ordiluents.

CHINA CLAY: A highly refractoryinert pigment, consisting essentiallyof aluminum silicate that has a highfusion point and high lubricity. Alsoknown as kaolin.

CHINAWOOD OIL: See “TUNG OIL.”

CHIPPING: A condition occurring whena dried film of finishing material separatesfrom the surface underneath and formsflakes or chips. Usually caused by insuffi-cient elasticity or improper adhesion to thebase material.

CHLORINATED RUBBER: A syntheticresin made by chlorinating rubber underspecified conditions.

CISSING: Another term for the defectknown as “CRAWLING.”

CLEAR TONE: A transparent finish withno sign of turbidity or muddiness.

CLOSE DRYING: A descriptor for acoating that shows little fullness or bodyprior to a rubbing operation. The rubbingoperation often brings out the true fullnessof the dried film.

CLOUDING: Similar to “BLOOMING.”A loss of luster with the accompanyingappearance of a cloudy film on the surfaceof a coated material.

CLOUDY: This describes a finishingmaterial that is turbid due to the suspen-sion of finely divided solid particles. Asimilar appearance in the dried film isknown as cloudiness.

COAGULATE: The irreversible combina-tion or aggregation of semisolid particlesthat changes a liquid to a thickened, jelly-like or curdled, soft mass.

COALESCING AID: A solvent thatcauses the individual polymer molecules inthe resin to unite into one unifed body,thereby giving a continuous film orcoating.

COAL OIL: The crude oil obtained fromthe destructive distillation of bituminouscoal.

COAL TAR: A black liquid consisting of acomplex mixture of hydrocarbons,obtained from coal during its conversion tocoke. Coal tar is the basic raw material formany of the solvents, dyes, chemicals andresins used in the coating industry.

COAL TAR RESINS: Synthetic resinsproduced from coal tar.

COAT: When used as a verb, “coat”means to cover or apply; as a noun, theword signifies the amount of finishingmaterial applied to a surface duringone or more applications without adrying period between applications.See “HEAVY COAT,” “THIN COAT”and “WASH COAT.”

COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION:The ratio of the length of a solid objector volume of a gas or liquid at twodifferent temperatures per degree oftemperature.

COHESION: The force that holdsadjacent particles of a single masstogether.

COLD CHECKING: Checks orcracks that appear in the dried filmwhen it is subjected to repeated suddenand appreciable reductions in tempera-ture. Can be caused by the force ofcontraction exceeding the cohesion ofthe film.

COLD COLOR: A color is said to be“cold” when it has a bluish or greenishtone or is not suggestive of warmth.

COLLOID: An insoluble substancethat is divided so finely in a non-solvent substance that it remains inpermanent suspension and cannot befiltered out by usual means. Colloidal,adj.

COLLOID MILL: A machineconsisting of a high rotor and stator,which produces air emulsifying actionbetween the opposing faces. Used tohomogenize a substance.

COLOPHONY: See “ROSIN.”

COLOR: The visual perceptionproduced by various wavelengths oflight reaching the retina of the eye thatallows one to differentiate betweenotherwise identical objects. An object isblack when all wavelengths of light areabsorbed and none are reflected; it isgreen when only the wavelengthsproducing the sensation of green arereflected; and so on. Color is dividedinto three main parts:

1. hue is that quality which producesthe color sensation, that is red, blue,green, etc.

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Solvents Council Page 5Technical Dictionary for Coatings

2. tint is the amount of colorpresent, such as a pale tint of blue.

3. shade expresses the purity ordegree of color, such as a darkshade of red.

The term color is also used todenote the pigments used to producecolored paints or to express the actof applying color to an object.

COLOR CHIP: A small piece ofpaper, celluloid or other material,coated with finishing materials andused as a color sample.

COLOR COATS: Those coats offinishing material that give color tothe finish.

COLOR FLOAT: When one ormore colors that are different fromthe original color appear on thesurface after the finishing materialhas been applied. This conditioncan be caused by imperfect wettingof the pigment particles, too large adifference in specific gravity of theindividual pigments, imperfectincorporation of the pigments, orthe use of tinting colors ground in adifferent liquid than that composingthe main body of the material.

COLORIMETER: An instrumentfor measuring the type and qualityof color by comparison withstandards, such as measurement ofthe reflected light waves or othermeans.

COLORING MATTER: Any dyeor pigment that is used to impartcolor to a finish.

COLOR STANDARDS: A set ofstandardized color samples forcomparing and classifying the colorof oils, resins, varnishes, lacquers,paints or other finishing materialsor their ingredients.

COLOR STRENGTH: Theintensity of color exhibited by apigment. It is also a way of express-ing a pigment’s power to alter thetint or shade of another color towhich it may be added.

COLOR VARNISH: A semi-transparentor translucent varnish containing coloredpigments or dyes that are not sufficient inamount to be an opaque or solid covering.

COMMERCIALLY PURE: A looselyapplied term used to define the purity of asubstance or the basis of acceptablecommercial standards.

COMPATIBILITY: The ability of two ormore materials to mix with each otherwithout separation or chemical reaction.

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS: Colorsthat lie opposite one another on the colorwheel. The mixture of any two primarycolors forms the complement of the thirdprimary color. For example, green, themixture of blue and yellow, is the comple-ment of red. Complementary colors inpigments accentuate each other whenplaced side by side but turn into muddy orsubdued colors when mixed.

CONDENSATE: The liquid that isobtained by cooling the vapors of amaterial that is being distilled.

CONGO RESIN: A fossil-copal resin,found in Africa. One of the most widelyused natural resins for manufacturingvarnish.

CONSISTENCY: The relative limpidity,stiffness or resistance to agitation orresistance to deformation of a coatingmaterial. See “BODY.”

COPAL: A group of natural resins fromAfrica, New Zealand, East Indies andSouth America which consist of thehardened exudations of various trees.

CORE: The central piece of wood used inthe construction of plywood. Its grain isusually at right angles to the grain of theadjacent plies.

CORROSION: The electrochemicaldegradation of metal or alloys due toreaction with their environment, which isaccelerated by the presence of acids orbases. A paint or coating is often applied toa surface to protect it from corrosion,oxidation or other types of deterioration.

COTTON LINTERS: The short fibers ofcotton that adhere to the cotton seed whenthe cotton is ginned. These short fibers are

cut from the seed with special machin-ery and used in the manufacture ofnitrocellulose and for other specialpurposes.

COUMARONE-INDENE RESINS:A class of synthetic resins derived fromtar.

COVERING POWER: The capacityof any pigmented finishing material tohide the color of the material beneathit and to produce a uniform, opaquesurface when applied in one coat. See“HIDING POWER.”

CRACKER JACK RUB: Namegiven to the process of slightly rubbinga dried film just enough to dull theluster.

CRACKING: An intensified oradvanced stage of checking or crazing,whereby the breaks in the film are sodeep that the underlying surface isexposed.

CRACKLE FINISH: A noveltyfinish, usually produced by applying aheavily pigmented, high shrink topcoatof lacquer over a more elastic bottomcoat of lacquer. The topcoat cracks andpulls apart in a more or less definitepattern exposing the underlying coat inthe cracks.

CRAWLING: Action of a finishingmaterial that does not remain spread ina continuous uniform coat. May be dueto excessive viscosity, high surfacetension, low temperatures, glossysurface of undercoat, or to the presenceof grease, oil or other foreign matter onthe undercoat.

CRAZING: The appearance ofminute, interlacing cracks or checks onthe surface of a dried film or finishingmaterial.

CRINKLING: Descriptive of theshriveling or crinkling of the fatty orthick edge of the dried film of finish-ing material.

CRIPPLES: Finished work that doesnot pass inspection due to imperfec-tions in the finish, and consequentlymust be touched up or refinished.

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CROCKING: Removal of dye orpigment from the surface of acoating by rubbing or attrition.

CROW FOOTING: A form ofcrystallization wherein the linescome together at a central point.

CRUMBLING: This occurs when amaterial does not contain enoughbinder to hold it together in a plasticmass. This term is used mostlywhen speaking of filters and otherheavily pigmented goods.

CRYPTOMETER: A device forevaluating the hiding power ofpaints.

CRYSTALLIZING: The formationof a rough, crystalline surface onvarnishes or other materials upondrying rather than a clear, smoothsurface. This can be caused byimproper ventilation, by gas fumesor by cold draughts during thedrying process, or by improperformulation and manufacture of thematerial.

CUT: The pounds of resin added toeach gallon of solvent. For instancea four-pound cut of shellac containsfour pounds of dry shellac dissolvedin one gallon of alcohol. This resultsin a solution that contains 2.86pounds of shellac per gallon ofsolution. A cut is also a fractionobtained by distillation. The word isalso used to designate the reductionor thinning of one liquid materialwith another.

CUTTING UP: Describes theprocess that takes place when onecoating softens another one that wasapparently hard and dry beforeapplication of the second coat. Thiscan be caused by the solvents in thetopcoat softening and partiallydissolving the bottom coat, improperdrying or improper formulation.

CYCLE: Any periodic repetition ofa process. For example, the comple-tion of all the steps in a process oftesting to the point where the stepsstart to be repeated is one cycle oftesting.

DAMAR: A resin, usually of modernorigin, obtained from various trees inAustralia, New Zealand, the East Indiesand South America. It is usually very palein color and used in varnishes andlacquers.

DARK: As used in the coatings industry,“dark” is a comparative adjective todescribe those colors approaching black-ness as opposed to “light” colors whichapproach whiteness or “deep” colors whichare intense or strong with no apparentpresence of black.

DEAD FLAT: Description of a film thathas no apparent luster.

DEADENING: This term refers to a finishthat loses its luster and appears dead ordull after aging or when exposed to outsideweather conditions.

DECALCOMANIA (Decal): The processof transferring pictures, designs ordecorations from specially prepared paperonto other surfaces. The prepared paperdesigns are also known as decalcomaniasor “decals.” Some decals carry their ownadhesive next to the paper on which theyare printed, the designs being slipped fromthe moistened paper, face up, onto thework. Other decals call for a thin coat ofvarnish or cement to be applied to thesurface to be decorated, the design, withthe dry paper still attached, being laid facedown against the cement; then the paperbacking is moistened and removed. Somedecals require a transparent coat to beapplied over them; others have thefinishing coat already on the design.

DEEP: Term used to describe both a finishand a color. In a finish, this term is usedwhen it appears to have great thickness.For colors, this term is used when it isintense or strong with no apparentpresence of black.

DEHYDRATE: Process of removingwater or moisture.

DEHYDRATED OIL: An oil, usually of asemi-drying or non-drying type, which hasbeen chemically treated to convert it into adrying oil, through the rearrangement ofthe atoms in the molecule to form newdouble bonds between the carbon atoms.Water is split from the molecule during theprocess, hence the term “dehydrated.”

DENATURANT: A material that isadded to another substance to alter itseffectiveness for certain purposes. Forexample, denatured alcohol is ethylalcohol containing small quantities ofother materials, which render it unfitfor beverage purposes. Generally, mostalcohol denaturants are poisonous.

DEMONSTRATOR: A person whoinstructs customers or their employeesin the methods of applying finishingmaterials properly, usually by actuallyapplying the material in the presenceof the persons being instructed.

DENSITY: Mass per unit volume,usually expressed as grams per cubiccentimeter for solids and liquids and asgrams per liter for gases. See “SPE-CIFIC GRAVITY” and “WEIGHTPER VOLUME.” Density is also usedto denote strength of color, freedomand voids or to express solidity.

DEPTH OF FINISH: The apparentthickness of the dried film of finishingmaterial due to its smoothness, clarity,brilliance and luster, as well as theactual film thickness.

DESICCATE: The drying of amaterial by transferring moisture fromit to another material that has a higheraffinity for the water vapor, usually byplacing the two materials in closeproximity to each other with theexclusion of air.

DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION:The decomposition of an organiccompound by the application oftemperatures so high as to cause thevapors that are driven off to be of adifferent chemical composition thanwas present in the original material.

DIFFUSED LIGHT: Scattered ordispersed light of a uniform degree ofintensity, such as through groundglass.

DILUENT: A non-solvent liquid thatis blended with an active solvent toobtain certain properties, such asreduced viscosity, in a finishingmaterial. A diluent for nitrocellulosesolutions may be a solvent for resinsolutions and, therefore, is valuable inproviding miscibility and stability ofthe two solutions when combined witheach other.

Solvents Council Page 7Technical Dictionary for Coatings

Crocking-Diluent

DILUTION RATIO: A measure ofthe amount of non-solvent ordiluent that can be added to asolution before the formulationperformance is negatively affected,such as by precipitation of solids.

DIPENTINE: A high boilingsolvent for resins derived from thedistillation of the sap of pine trees.

DIPPING: The process of applyingfinishing materials by immersingthe object to be coated into thecoating.

DIRTY: Term to describe coatingswhen they are not clean or containforeign matter, usually of a finelydivided solid nature. This term canalso be applied to describing colorswhereby a “dirty color” is one thatis muddy or not clear and bright.

DISINTEGRATION: To breakapart, pulverize or destroy byseparation into small particles. Alsoa term to describe the completebreak-down of the dried film offinishing material.

DISPERSED: Finely divided orcolloidal in nature.

DISTEMPER: A water-based paintcontaining pigments that aretempered or mixed with a smallamount of binding substance.

DISTENSIBILITY: The ability ofa material to dilate, expand, swell orstretch when force is applied. See“ELASTICITY.”

DISTILLATE: The productproduced by cooling the vapors of amaterial that has been heatedsufficiently to cause a portion of it tovaporize.

DISTILLATION: The act ofapplying heat to drive off certainportions of a material by vaporiza-tion. This is frequently a methodused to separate two or morematerials with different boilingpoints.

DOCTORING: The act of chang-ing the properties of a finishing

material by incorporating small amountsof modifying agents. See “DOPING” also.

DOCTOR TEST: A test for determiningthe presence of sulphur compounds, whichcan negatively affect the odor of a coating,in petroleum thinners. This test is depen-dant upon the reaction of sulphur com-pounds with lead compounds to produce adarkening effect.

DOMINANT COLOR: The predominantor outstanding color in a color scheme.

DOPE: A solution of nitrocellulose orother cellulose derivatives in suitablesolvents, used for special purposes such ascoating leather, fabrics, etc. to render themsmooth, rigid and non-porous.

DOPING: The act of applying dope to thesurface being coated. The term also refersto changing the properties of a finishedmaterial by the incorporation of smallamounts of modifying agents. See “DOC-TORING.”

DORMANT: Not active. See “QUIES-CENT.”

DRAUGHT TEST: A test applied tofinishing materials to determine theirability to withstand draughts of air duringthe drying stages without producing a dullor crystallized dried film.

DRAW DOWN: A test applied todetermine the color tone or opacity of afinishing material, wherein a smallquantity is spread out in a thin layer onwhite paper.

DRIER: A catalytic material that im-proves the drying or hardening propertiesof oils or varnishes when added in smallamounts.

DRIPS: The small drops of material thatcollect on the edge of dipped work.

DROP BLACK: A black pigment madeby calcining animal bones. Also known as“bone black” or “animal charcoal.”

DRY: Free from liquid, containing nowater. Raw materials, such as pigments,are dry when they contain no water.Finishing materials are called “dry” whenthey have solidified or are no longer in aliquid state.

DRY COLOR: A colored pigment,usually with good tinting strengthsuitable for grinding into varnishes,oils or lacquer solutions for producingcolored finishes. See “DRIERS.”

DRY ICE: Solidified carbon dioxide.A white ice-like material that changesdirectly into a gas without goingthrough a liquid phase (sublimes) attemperatures above its melting point (-109.3 F).

DRY DUST FREE: The stage ofsolidification of an applied film orfinishing material when particles ofdust that settle upon the surface do notbecome imbedded in the film.

DRY HARD: The stage of solidifica-tion of an applied film of finishingmaterial when it has reached itsmaximum degree of hardness.

DRYING: The act of changing from aliquid film to a solid film due to theevaporation of solvents, oxidation orpolymerization or by a combination ofthese phenomena.

DRYING OILS: Organic, oily liquidsthat have the property of hardening orsolidifying when applied as a thin filmand exposed to normal atmosphericconditions.

DRYING SALTS: Compounds ofdrying metals, which react with theacid constituents of oil or varnish toproduce driers.

DRYING TIME: The time requiredfor an applied film of a coatingmaterial to reach the desired stage ofhardness or non-stickiness. Commonnames for the various stages of dryingare: “dust free,” “to touch,” “tack free,”“to handle,” “hard,” “to rub,” and “topack.”

DRY TACK FREE: The stage ofsolidification of an applied film offinishing material when it does not feelsticky or tacky when the finger isdrawn lightly across the film in a quickcontinuous motion.

DRY TO HANDLE: The stage ofsolidification of a film of finishingmaterial when the coated article may

Dilution Ratio-Dry To Handle

Solvents Council Page 8Technical Dictionary for Coatings

be picked up or moved without thefinish coming off on the hands orbeing seriously damaged.

DRY TO PACK: The stage ofsolidification of an applied film offinishing material when the coatedarticle can be packaged for ship-ment.

DRY TO RUB: The stage ofsolidification of an applied film offinishing material when it can berubbed with an abrasive and alubricant without softening appre-ciably or “picking up” on therubbing pad.

DRY TO SAND: The stage ofsolidification of an applied film offinishing material when it can besanded without undue softening,sticking or clogging of the sandpaper.

DRY TO TOUCH: The stage ofdrying of a film of finishingmaterial when it has solidifiedsufficiently that it can be touchedlightly without any of the finishingmaterial adhering to the fingers.

DULL: Lacking brightness,clearness or luster.

DURABILITY: The ability of afinishing material to withstand theconditions or destructive agents thatit comes in contact with throughactual usage, without an appreciablechange in appearance or otherimportant properties.

DUST: Small particles of solidmatter. Also a grading or size ofnatural resin.

DUST FREE: The stage of solidifi-cation of an applied film of finishingmaterial when dust that settles onthe coated surface does not penetrateor stick to the film.

DRYING AWAY: The loss ofapparent film thickness in a driedcoating. See “DEADENING.”

EARTH PIGMENTS: Coloredpigments mined directly from theearth. They are also known asnatural or mineral pigments. Thesepigments are quite stable and not

easily affected by alkali, heat, light ormoisture. They are usually of a yellow,brown or red hue. Inert natural pigmentsare not usually classed as earth pigments.

EFFERVESCENCE: The phenomenonthat occurs when a liquid froths or bubblesdue to the escape of gas not formed byboiling.

EFFLORESCE: To form or becomecovered with a white powdery crust due tothe evaporation of water from a solution,such as is often seen on interior andexterior masonry walls, when evaporationof water leaves white crystals of varioussalts behind on the masonry.

EGG SHELL: An indefinite term used todescribe the appearance of a film that haslittle or no luster. The term is also used todescribe an off-white color.

ELASTICITY: The property of a film thatallows it to stretch or otherwise changesize or shape and return to its originalcondition without breaking or rupturing.This term should not be confused with“toughness,” “tensile strength” or “elonga-tion,” which have different meanings.

ELASTIC LIMIT: An expression of themaximum stress or distorting force that amaterial can withstand and still be able toreturn to its original length, size or shapeafter the force is removed. When theapplied force is sufficient to stretch thematerial to a point where it does not returnto its normal or original condition, theelastic limit has been exceeded.

ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE: Thepotential for retaining an electrical charge.Measured in megaohms, this is a measureof resistance to flow of electrical current.

ELECTROLYSIS: Chemical decomposi-tion by the action of an electric current.

ELECTROSTATIC SPRAY: The processof applying an electrostatic charge to acoating while applying an opposite chargeto the substrate.

ELEMI GUM: An aromatic, balsamic,resinous gum of modern origin obtainedfrom a tree in the Philippines. Used tosome extent in the manufacture of lacquerfor its plastic and adhesive properties.

EMPIRICAL: A method or formulaarrived at by a “trial and error”procedure rather than by a consider-ation of theoretical or fundamentalfactors.

EMULSIFIERS: Surface-activeagents used to form a stable finishedproduct by forming protective colloidswith components that otherwise wouldseparate.

EMULSION: A suspension of fineparticles of a liquid within anotherliquid that is not ordinarily misciblewith the first liquid. An emulsifying ordispersing agent is usually used topromote this intimate and more or lesspermanent intermixing of the dissimi-lar liquids.

ENAMEL: A broad classification offree flowing pigmented finishingmaterials that dry to a smooth, hard,glossy or semi-glossy finish. Generallythe liquid portion consists of varnish orlacquer and the pigment portion isground to a very small particle size.Paints, on the other hand, usually haveraw or treated oils as the vehicle, andthe pigments may not be so finelyground.

EROSION: That phenomenon foundin dried films of finishing materialwherein the top surface wears awayunder exterior exposure or otherclimatic conditions to expose theunderneath surface. This usuallyoccurs as a result of chalking of thefilm.

ESSENTIAL OIL: An oil that has anessence or odor. An essential oil isdistinguished from a fatty oil by itsvolatility, odor and non-greasiness.

ESTER: A compound that is formedwhen an organic radical replaces ahydrogen ion of an acid. The usualreaction is that of an acid (organic orinorganic) with an alcohol or otherorganic compound rich in OH groups.

ESTER GUM: A modified naturalresin produced by the reaction of analcohol such as glycerine with theacids in a natural resin, such as rosin.Ester gum is very insoluble in waterand, therefore, adds properties to avarnish that cannot be obtained withnatural rosin.

Dry to Pack-Ester Gum

Solvents Council Page 9Technical Dictionary for Coatings

ESTERIFICATION: The forma-tion of an ester.

ETHER: A class of organiccompound in which an oxygen atomis interposed between two carbonatoms (organic groups) in themolecular structure, giving thegeneric formula ROR. The term“ether” is often used synonymouslywith “ethyl ether” and is the legallabel name for it.

EVAPORATE: The act of volatil-ization or transforming from theliquid to vapor phase. Driving off aliquid by the application of heat,vacuum, or similar conditions.

EVAPORATION RATE: The rateat which a specific material willvolatilize, or convert from the liquidto gas phase. In North America allevaporation rates are given incomparison to that of n-butyl acetate(ER=1.0). One cc of n-butyl acetateunder normal air flow and 0-5%relative humidity will evaporate in468 seconds.

EXPOSURE TEST: This is apreliminary and practical method ofevaluating the durability of aprotective coating by subjecting it toconditions similar to those whichwill be present in actual usage.

EXTENDER: An inert pigmentthat is used to increase the bulk of apaint or enamel or to dilute thecolor strength of a pigment.

EXTRACT: A product derivedfrom vegetable matter by theapplication of solvents, heat orpressure to separate it from theother constituent parts.

EXUDATE: Any material, usuallyof a resinous or balsamic nature,that filters through the walls ofliving vegetable cells and accumu-lates on the exterior tissues.

FADING: The loss of color due toexposure to light, heat or otherdestructive agent.

FAILED: Description of a finishingmaterial that performed belowexpectations. For example, when a

finishing material, either in the liquid ordried film state, does not pass a given test,it is said to have “failed” in that respect.

FALSE BODY: An abnormally heavyconsistency that gives the false impressionthat the material contains a high solidcontent and, therefore, will deposit a heavyfilm.

FAST TO LIGHT: A color that does notfade or change appreciably in hue, tint ortone upon exposure to light over aconsiderable period of time is fast to light.

FAT: A glyceryl ester of a carboxylic acidof animal or vegetable origin.

FATTY: Description of a material that hasa consistency of solidified fat or butter,which is often caused by age.

FATTY ACID: An organic acid derivedfrom fats or oils or produced by synthesesfrom hydrocarbons. The three principalfatty acids are palmitic, stearic and oleicacid.

FATTY EDGE: This is the thick edgethat is sometimes found on heavily coatedwork, especially dipped work, whichresults in a rounded thicker film along theedges of the work.

FEATHER EDGE: The tapering of theedge of a film of dried material caused bythe method of application, or by sandingor rubbing the dried film. The tapering isevidenced by a gradual progression of thefilm thickness from little or no material atthe edge to a normal coating at the center.

FEATHERING: The formation of fineshreds of precipitated solids in a varnish orlacquer when excessively thinned with asolvent.

FILLER: A finishing material, usuallycontaining considerable quantities ofpigment, that is used to build up or filldepressions and imperfections in thesurface.

FILM SCRAP: Reclaimed photographicfilm from which the emulsion has beenremoved. This is used as a replacement forvirgin nitrocellulose in the manufacture oflacquers and sealers.

FILTER: To remove solid particles from aliquid by passing the liquid through a

paper, cloth or other membranecontaining openings that are too smallto allow the solid particles to passthrough.

FILTER AID: An extraneous sub-stance added to a liquid to facilitate theremoval of suspended matter duringfiltration.

FILTER CAKE: A name for the solidmatter that is built up on the filteringmembrane during the filtrationprocess.

FILTER PRESS: A machine that isconstructed so as to form hollowchambers when filter cloth or filterpaper is placed between the plates. Theplates are held together by strongpressure. The suspended particles in aliquid are removed and deposited inthe chambers when the material isforced through the filtering medium bya pump.

FINENESS: The degree of subdivisionof pigments or the extent to which theyare dispersed in the vehicle upongrinding.

FINGER NAIL TEST: A physical testupon the dried film of a finishingmaterial to denote the ease with whichit can be marred, scratched, flaked orbroken. The test is often performed bypicking at the finish with the edge ofthe nail of the thumb or index finger.

FIRE CRACKED: The appearance ofa dried film that contains delicate,intricate, and almost invisible surfacecracks, such as might be caused byexposure to heat.

FIRST COATER: A finishingmaterial used as the initial film-forming coat.

FISH OIL: A drying or semi-dryingoil obtained from the bodies of fish.

FIXATIVE: A material that is used tomake another substance or colorpermanent. For example, a dyemordant is sometimes called a fixative.This term is also used to describe clearliquids that are applied to pastelpaintings or charcoal drawings toprevent the surface from smudging orrubbing off.

Esterification -Fixative

Solvents Council Page 10Technical Dictionary for Coatings

FIXED OIL: A non-volatile, stablefat or oil, as contrasted to essentialor volatile oils. A saturated oil isnon-drying.

FLAKING: The detachment ofsmall pieces of dried film from theundercoat.

FLASH BAKE: This term wasoriginally used to describe a processof baking which ignited the solventsin a film of coating materialresulting in deposition of the solidresidue on the surface. Now the termis used to indicate a rapid bakingprocess, usually at high temperature.

FLASH POINT: Lowest tempera-ture at which a flammable liquidgives off sufficient vapor to form anignitable mixture with air near itssurface or within a vessel.

FLAT: When referring to a coating,this means having no gloss or luster.

FLATTING AGENT: A materialadded to a normally glossy coatingto reduce the luster and produce aflat appearance.

FLOATING: See “COLORFLOAT.”

FLOCK: The finely divided, soft,fluffy fibers used to produce a “flockfinish,” which consists of anadhesive applied to the surface to becoated and into which the fibers areblown or sifted, before it is dry inorder to produce the appearance offelt or a pile fabric.

FLOOD: The excessive applicationof considerably more finishingmaterial than is necessary to securedesired results.

FLOODING: Describes the changein color of a pigmented finishingmaterial from that exhibited at thetime of application. Flooding is dueto a uniform color float where onetone of the color becomes strongeras the film dries.

FLOW: The characteristic of acoating that allows it to level orspread into a smooth film ofuniform thickness before hardening.

FLOW COAT: A coat of finishingmaterial applied to a vertical surface in anexcessive amount so that the surplus flowsdown over the surface and drips off thebottom edge.

FLUID: Any material that is capable offlowing or changing its shape undernormal conditions.

FLUSH COLORS: These are chemicallyprecipitated colors in paste form that arecapable of being incorporated directly intooil or varnish without being ground. In theflushing process the oil replaces the wateraround the pigment particles and thewater, being lighter than oil, rises to thetop of the mixture, where it can beremoved.

FOOTS: The finely divided, extraneous,gelatinous matter that separates from theoils when aged in an undisturbed condi-tion.

FORD CUP: A type of viscometeroriginally used by the Ford Motor Com-pany, but now extensively used in testinglaboratories. It consists of a cup, with anoverflow device to insure a standardizedvolume, in the bottom of which is astandardized orifice. The number ofseconds required for the cup to empty itselfat a standardized temperature gives anumerical expression of the viscosity of thematerial.

FOSSIL RESINS: Those natural resinswhich derive their hardness and desirablecharacteristics from aging in the ground.

FRENCH POLISH: An old method offinishing wood, consisting of the applica-tion of repeated coats of low solids shellacsolution with a soft cloth pad on which afew drops of oil has been placed. Theshellac solution is applied sparingly with arotary motion of the pad and the wipingaction is repeated until the film is nearlydry. The finish is allowed to hardenbetween applications.

FROSTING: See “CRYSTALLIZING.”

FUGITIVE: Lacking in permanence ofcolor upon exposure to light.

FULLER’S EARTH: A type of clay usedto aid in the bleaching and deodorizing ofoils and other liquids.

FULLNESS: A term denoting theapparent body or depth of finish on thework.

FUME: The finely divided particles ofa solid material that are suspendedtemporarily in air during a sprayingoperation.

FUNGICIDE: A material that reducesor prevents the growth of fungus onthe surface to which it has beenapplied. This is often added tofinishing materials to prevent theformation of molds and mildew underhumid conditions.

GALLON: A standard unit of volumemeasurement. It is 231 cubic inches.

GAS BLACK: A carbon blackpigment produced by burning naturalgas in an insufficient supply of air.

GAS CHECKING: The fine check-ing, wrinkling or frosting of a coatingduring the drying process, especiallywhen gas or other impurities are in theair. Also called “Gas Crazing.”

GEL: A term used to describe an overpolymerized material.

GLAZE: A term used to describeseveral types of finishing materials:

1. Glazing putty is a creamy consis-tency surfacing material, usuallyapplied with a knife to fill imperfec-tions in the surface.

2. Glazing stain is pigmented stainapplied over a stained, filled or paintedsurface to soften or blend the originalcolor without obscuring it.

3. A glaze coat of a clear nature issometimes applied over painted wallsurfaces to give them a peculiarappearance and to permit easiercleaning when the walls becomesoiled.

GLOSS: Describes the luster, shini-ness or reflecting ability of a surface.

GLOSSING UP: The increase ofluster in a rubbed film through frictionin use. Also describes the increase inluster of a flat varnish in the packagethrough a decrease in the flatteningeffect of the flatting agent.

Fixed Oil-Glossing Up

Solvents Council Page 11Technical Dictionary for Coatings

GLOSS METER: An instrumentfor measuring the luster or gloss ofa finished surface.

GLOSS OIL: A brittle varnishconsisting essentially of a solutionof treated rosin in petroleumthinners and containing no oil.

GOOSE FLESH: The appearanceof a dried film that has smallpimple-like elevations over thesurface.

GRAININESS: The appearance ofsmall grain-like particles in afinishing material or in the driedfilm of a finishing material.

GRAINING INK: A colored ink orpaint material used over a coloredground color to produce an imita-tion of the grain of wood, marble orother substances.

GRAIN RAISING: The roughnessof wood caused by the swelling andstiffening of the short, broken fiberson the surface.

GRAIN SHOWING: This occurswhen a pigmented, opaque finishfails to completely obscure the grainof the wood over which it is applied.

GRAVITY: See “SPECIFICGRAVITY.”

GRAYNESS: A hazy, dull appear-ance in a rubbed film, usuallycaused by the finish being oilrubbed too soon after application.This condition can be avoided byallowing more drying time.

GRAY PORES: This occurs whenthe pores of the wood have ableached, yellowish or grayish lookafter the finishing coats are applied.Caused by improper formulation ofthe filler or top coats or by the useof a filler that is too weak in colorstrength for the stain color.

GREENISH CAST: Describes theappearance of a finish wherein amuddy greenish tone is observed,especially when viewed in a stronglight.

GREEN MATERIAL: A freshly madefinishing material that has not beenallowed to age sufficiently before beingused.

GRINDING: The process of incorporat-ing pigments into oils, varnishes, or othervehicles by passing the mixture ofpigments and vehicle between two closelyadjacent moving surfaces or by similarmeans to ensure complete wetting of thepigment particles and their uniformdispersal throughout the vehicle.

GRITTINESS: See “GRAININESS.”

GROUND COAT: The coat of coloredmaterial, (which is usually opaque),applied before the graining ink, inproducing imitation wood or marbleeffects, or before the glazing coat inobtaining antique glazed effects.

GUIDE COAT: A coat of different colorthan the other surfacing coats which servesas a guide in rubbing or sanding opera-tions to help obtain a smooth surfacewithout sanding through to the underlyingwood or metal.

GUM: The resinous material exuded bytrees or plants. Strictly speaking a gum iswater-soluble, but this term is widely usedin the varnish industry to designate thosenatural resins usually not water-solublethat are obtained from trees.

GUM SPIRITS: Turpentine produced bydistilling the sap of pine trees.

GUM TURPENTINE: Same as “gumspirits.”

GUN COTTON: A form of highlynitrated cellulose used in high explosives.The lower nitrated grades, known asnitrocellulose, are more readily soluble inlacquer solvents than is gun cotton.

GYPSUM: A natural inert pigmentconsisting essentially of a hydrated form ofcalcium sulphate. When heated to removea part of the water of hydration, “plaster ofParis” is formed. Further heating toremove all of the water of hydrationproduces calcium sulphate, which does notreact with water to form a solid “setmaterial” as does plaster of Paris.

HAIR LINES: Fine lines or incipientchecks in the dried surface of finishing

materials. Often caused by suddentemperature changes.

HANSEN SOLUBILITY PARAM-ETERS: An indicator of the prefer-ences for hydrogen bonding of solventsused to predict the solubility ofpolymers in solvents.

HARDENED ROSIN: Rosin that hasbeen partially neutralized by beingcooked with lime.

HARD GUMS: The fossilized resinsor “copals” that were exuded fromliving plants centuries ago.

HARDNESS: That property of a driedfilm of finishing material that causes itto withstand denting or being markedwhen pressure is exerted on its surfaceby an outside object or force.

HAZE: The dullness of a surface thatprevents a clear reflection of light. Thiscan be caused by partial precipitationof one or more ingredients during thedrying period. Haze can often beremoved by polishing or cleaning.

HEAT CONVERTIBLE RESIN: Aresin that can be transformed into aninsoluble mass by the application ofheat as contrasted to one that issoftened by heat.

HEAVING: The slight swelling orraising of the surface caused by partialsoftening of the undercoat by thesolvents in the succeeding coat.

HIDING POWER: The ability of acolored finishing material to obscure orcover up the surface that has beencoated with it.

HEAVY BODY: A general termdenoting a relatively high viscosityliquid state or the deposition of a filmof great thickness before drying.

HEAVY COAT: A generous orexcessive coat of finishing material.

HIGH LIGHT: The lighter colored ormore transparent portions of a finish.For example, this can be found onfurniture that has been purposely madeuneven in color to simulate worn spotscaused by frequent use over a period of

Gloss Meter-High Light

Solvents Council Page 12Technical Dictionary for Coatings

years. This effect is usually obtainedby wiping off a portion of the stainwhile wet or by using steel wool orsandpaper after it is dry.

HIGH SOLIDS: A general termused to denote the presence of ahigher than average percentage ofsolid ingredients.

HOLIDAY: A skipped or uncoatedportion that was unintentionallymissed when the finishing materialwas applied.

HUE: The quality of a colorresponsible for its name by which itis distinguished from other colorssuch as red, green or blue.

HUMIDITY: The amount of watervapor in the air. Also see “RELA-TIVE HUMIDITY.”

HYDROMETER: An instrumentfor measuring the specific gravity ofa liquid. This usually consists of along glass spindle attached to a bulbthat is weighted at one end to causeit to stand upright in the liquid. Thedistance to which the spindle sinksin the liquid is a measure of thedensity of the liquid.

HYGROMETER: An instrumentfor measuring the degree of humid-ity or relative humidity of theatmosphere.

HYGROSCOPIC: A descriptiveadjective applied to materials thatreadily absorb and retain moisturefrom the atmosphere.

IGNITION TEST: A test todetermine the amount of non-combustible and non-volatilematerial in a sample. Generally, thesample is weighed, ignited, andallowed to burn until it extinguishesitself. It is weighed again and thepercentage of non-combustiblematerial calculated.

IMMISCIBLE: Not capable ofbeing mixed together intimatelywithout developing cloudiness orturbidity. This term is usuallyapplied to liquids.

IMPACT TEST: A test for determiningthe resistance to shattering of a dried filmby dropping a weight onto the finish.

IMPERIAL GALLON: The British andCanadian unit of volume measurement. Itis the volume of 10 pounds of water or277.42 cubic inches as contrasted to 8.33pounds of water or 231 cubic inches in theU.S. Standard gallon.

INCOMPATIBLE: For coatings, thisdenotes items that are not capable of beingmixed together without impairing theoriginal properties of the materials beingmixed. This usually results in a separationof solid particles, cloudiness or turbidity.

INDIA INK: Black, waterproof ink,consisting of a dispersion of carbon blackin water.

INDICATOR: A material that changescolor or another property as the conditionsto which it is exposed are changed. Certainindicators can be used to indicate thepresence, absence or concentration ofalkali, acid or of other substances.

INERTS: Those inactive, extenderpigments which have little or no hiding ortinting properties when wet with oil,varnish or similar materials, and which arechemically stable or inert.

INFRARED: A group of long wavelengthrays generated by heat from a hot body.They have the property of raising thetemperature of the receiving body. Theserays are utilized to accelerate the baking offinishing materials by use of infraredlamps or infrared burners, through thedevelopment of heat in the surface towhich the coating has been applied.

INHIBITOR: An agent that arrests achemical reaction. In the coatings industry,an inhibitor is usually a pigment or otheragent that retards the formation of rust.

INTENSITY: Description of the purity ordegree of hue as seen by the eye.

IODINE VALUE: A numerical method ofexpressing the degree of unsaturation inorganic compounds, such as fatty acids orvegetable oils. This can be related to thedrying properties of the coating. Iodinevalue is expressed as the number ofcentigrams of iodine reacting with onegram of the substance being tested.

IRIDESCENT: Having the propertyof exhibiting prismatic colors or variedcolors.

IRON BLACK: The black oxide ofiron. Also known as magnetic ironoxide.

IRON BLUE: Any blue pigment thatdepends upon its iron content for itsblue color. This is sometimes calledPrussian blue.

IRON MILL: A paint mill consistingof a corrugated steel disc that revolvestightly against a stationary steel base.As the pigment particles pass betweenthese moving steel parts, they aresubdivided and wet by the grindingvehicle.

IRON OXIDE: A red, brown oryellow pigment consisting of theoxides of iron.

IVORY BLACK: A high grade ofdrop black, or bone black formerlymade by charring ivory, and morerecently made by charring animalbones.

JAPAN: A varnish yielding a hard,glossy, dark colored film.

JAPAN BLACK: A black bakingvarnish made from an asphaltic base inconjunction with oils, dryers, thinnersand, sometimes, other varnish ingredi-ents. Usually applied to metal, such asautomobile fenders, and baked atcomparatively high temperature of400°F.

JAPAN DRIER: A liquid driercontaining sufficient resin to form ahard film with considerable coherencewhen used alone. Generally used forblending with oils, paints, varnishesand enamels to hasten their drying.

JAPANESE LACQUER: A varnishmade from the sap of a species of treethat grows in Japan. As it dries itbecomes very hard and black. Blackbaking Japans were first made toimitate the results produced byJapanese lacquer.

JAPAN WAX: A soft wax withmelting point of about 127°F obtainedfrom a bush that grows in Japan.

High Solids-Japan Wax

Solvents Council Page 13Technical Dictionary for Coatings

JELL: The act of taking on body orbecoming gelatinous or jelly-like.

KAOLIN: Another name for chinaclay.

KAURI: A natural resin derivedfrom the exudation of the pine-likekauri tree in New Zealand. Rangesin hardness from the fossilized“brown” kauri dug from the earth,to the contemporary “bush” kaurithat is gathered from living trees.

KAURI-BUTANOL VALUE: Ameasure of the solvent power ofpetroleum thinners, expressed as thenumber of milliliters of the productunder test required to causecloudiness or turbidity in 20 gramsof a solution of kauri in butylalcohol, which has been preparedunder standardized conditions.

KETTLE BOILED OIL: Avegetable oil that has had its dryingproperties improved by the incorpo-ration of driers that are added whileheating the oil in open kettles.

KILN: A room or separate compart-ment with regulated heat and propercirculation of fresh air used to curea coating. The relative humiditymay also be controlled.

KNIT: Description of two coats thatcannot be separated or peeled apartafter drying.

LAC: A natural resin exuded byinsects, which eat the sap of trees inIndia. When melted and strained,lac forms shellac.

LACQUER: A thin-bodied, quick-drying coating material that forms ahard film. Originally, it referred tosolutions of shellac and other resinsthat dried by evaporation alone.Subsequently, the term referred tothe oriental products derived fromthe sap of certain trees in China,Burma and Japan. Still later, theterm referred to thin, hard bakingvarnishes used for coating food cansmade from tin plate and similarmetal articles. The term now refersto mixtures of solutions of nitrocel-

lulose, ethyl-cellulose, natural andsynthetic resins that dry by evaporationalone.

LAKE: A pigment made by precipitatingan organic dye upon a base of inert,translucent pigment of an inorganicnature.

LAMPBLACK: A black organic pigmentmade by burning oils, fats, greases or otherorganic matter in an insufficient supply ofoxygen to produce a dense smoke thatcontains particles of carbon. When thiscarbon is separated, it forms lampblack,which is used as a black pigment forcoloring and tinting paints and enamels.

LAP: When used as a verb, it means to layor place one coat so its edge extends overand covers the edge of a previous coat,causing an increased thickness where thetwo coats meet. When used as a noun, it isthat portion of a coat of finishing materialthat extends over the edge of and onto aprevious coat.

LATENT HEAT: The quantity of energythat is absorbed or released as a substanceundergoes a change of state, that is, as itchanges from a solid to a liquid, or from aliquid to a gas, or from a liquid to a solid.There is no change in its temperature.

LATENT SOLVENT: An organic liquidthat dissolves a resin, such as nitrocellu-lose, only when mixed with a true solvent.

LATEX: Any of several naturally occur-ring milky saps containing hydrocarbonsthat tend to congeal into plastic massesupon exposure to air. Modern latex resinsare produced synthetically with the largestapplication area being water-basedarchitectural coatings.

LEADED ZINC: A mixture of zinc oxideand basic lead sulphate derived by heatinga mixture of lead and zinc ores or byblending pure zinc oxide and basic leadsulphate by mechanical means. Used as awhite pigment for protective coatings.

LEAFING: That property of flat pigmentparticles, such as metallic powders andmica, to align themselves in a more or lessparallel manner with the coated surface,when mixed with vehicles and spread in athin film.

LET DOWN: To dilute the colorstrength of a pigment by mixing itwith a colorless, translucent mineralpigment. This term is also used todescribe thinning or reducing a liquidcoating.

LEVELING: The ability of a film toflow out free of ripples, pock marks,orange peel, brush marks, runs, sags orother surface defects after application.

LIFE: An expression of the period oftime a film will retain elasticity ordurability.

LIFTING: The softening and penetra-tion of a dried film by the solventaction of a second film applied over it.Specifically, “lifting” results in theraising and wrinkling of the previouslydried first coat.

LIGHT FASTNESS: The ability of acolor or of a dried film to remainunchanged when exposed to brilliantlight.

LINOLEATE: A metallic soap madefrom linolic acid, the fatty acid fromlinseed oil.

LINOLEIC ACID: A yellow oilyliquid that occurs as a glyceride inlinseed and many other dryingvegetable oils.

LINOLENIC ACID: A colorless oilyliquid of slightly different chemicalcomposition than linoleic acid, whichalso occurs as glycerides in linseed andmany other drying oils.

LINSEED OIL: A yellowish oilobtained by crushing the seeds of flaxwhich contain a mixture of glyceridesof several fatty acids. Has the ability toabsorb oxygen from the air andgradually form a tough hardenedcoating when exposed in a thin film.Generally used as a vehicle in paintsand as the softening agent for resins inthe manufacture of varnishes.

LIQUID PLASTIC: A synthetic resinin liquid form that hardens to a plasticsheet after being applied and subjectedto heat.

Jell-Liquid Plastic

Solvents Council Page 14Technical Dictionary for Coatings

LITHOL RED: A non-bleedingpigment made by precipitating acomplex red dye on a blanc fixebase.

LITHOPONE: A synthetic whitepigment used largely in interiorfinishes and undercoats that isproduced by the reactions of bariumsulphide and zinc sulphate to formzinc sulphide and barium sulphate.

LITHO VARNISH: An oil that hasbeen thickened by heat. Used inprinting inks and for similarpurposes.

LIVERING: An increase in theconsistency of a coating materialwhile in the package to form aviscous, rubbery, liver-like mass.This can be caused by a chemicalreaction between various ingredientsor a change in the colloidal natureof the product.

LONG OIL VARNISH: A varnishthat is relatively low in resin contentand high in oil content. Usuallycontains more than 25 gallons of oilper 100 pounds of resin.

LOUSY: There are two definitionsfor this term:

1. A varnish is termed “lousy” whenit contains small particles of solidmatter that were not removed byfiltering.

2. A brush is termed “lousy” if itcontains particles of partially driedmaterial that are transferred to thework.

LUMINESCENCE: The propertyof glowing in the dark after expo-sure to visible or ultraviolet light.Luminous paints are of two variet-ies, depending upon the ingredientsused:

1. Fluorescent paints glow only aslong as exposed to the activatingrays.

2. Phosphorescent paints continue toglow for hours after exposure tolight.

LUSTER: The gloss, shine or brightnessof a finished surface. See “GLOSS.”

MACERATE: To soften by soaking in aliquid either with or without heat.

MAGNESIUM SILICATE: A white inertpigment produced from natural deposits.This is a complex combination of silicicacid, magnesium and water of crystalliza-tion.

MALEIC RESIN: Synthetic resins madeby polymerizing maleic acid or maleicanhydride with a polyhydric alcohol, rosinor some similar substance.

MANILA RESIN: A natural resin, foundin the East Indies and imported fromManila.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET(MSDS): A document that states specificproperties, safety considerations, andhandling suggestions for a designatedmaterial (such as a chemical).

MEDIUM: The liquid that is used todisperse pigments. Another name for“VEHICLE” or “BINDER.” Whenspeaking of colors, the term is used todescribe a color approximately midwaybetween a light and dark shade of the samehue, such as medium blue.

MELAMINE RESINS: Synthetic resinsmade from melamine and formaldehyde.They cure quickly at relatively lowtemperatures and are quite stable in color,even when exposed to high temperatures.

MENHADEN OIL: One variety of fishoil.

MICA: A mineral silicate that readilyseparates into thin sheets. When powdered,it is sometimes used as an inert pigment inpaint products.

MICROMETER: A device used formeasuring the thickness of pigments.

MICRON: One thousandth of a millime-ter. This is the standard unit of size inmeasuring the particle size of pigmentsand similar materials.

MILKING: This describes using onesfinger to remove an accumulation ofvarnish that has formed a heavy, fatty edge

at the bottom of an upright surface.

MILKY: Having the appearance ofmilk or showing some whiteness, aswhen water is mixed with varnish orwhen a dried transparent film starts toturn white from moisture.

MILL WHITE: A white paint orenamel used on large interior surfaces,such as the walls of factories.

MINERAL BLACK: A blackpigment made by pulverizing shale orslate.

MINERAL OIL: Any oil derivedfrom a petroleum base, also known as“paraffin oil” and “liquid paraffin.”The boiling point is usually above675°F.

MISCIBILE: This describes thecharacteristic of a substance that iscapable of being mixed in any ratiowithout separation of the two liquids.

MISTCOAT: A coat of thinner orthinner mixed with a small amount oflacquer that is applied as a final coat toincrease smoothness.

MOBILITY: The ease with which aliquid flows or moves. The opposite ofviscosity.

MOISTURE: Very finely dividedparticles of water present to a moderatedegree in the air or in a material.

MOISTURE REPELLENT: Theproperty of resisting the passage ofmoisture through a dried film offinishing material.

MUDDY: When speaking of clearmaterials, this describes the lack of abright, clear, transparent appearance. Amuddy color is one having a trace ofbrown in it, which takes away thepurity or brightness of the color.

MULLING: This is the act ofthoroughly mixing pigments andliquids together, either by hand, aswith a pestle and mortar, or by passingthe mixture through a mixing ma-chine.

MUSHY: Soft and pliable, not hard.

Solvents Council Page 15Technical Dictionary for Coatings

Lithol Red-Mushy

NAPHTHENATE DRIERS: Saltsof naphthenic acid and variousdrying metals, such as lead,manganese and cobalt, that areusually used in solution form.

NATURAL COLORS: Inorganicpigments derived from naturalsources rather than manufactured orsynthetic pigments.

NATURAL RESINS: The hard-ened sap of trees used in themanufacture of varnish, as distin-guished from synthetic resins.

NAVAL STORES: The products ofthe sap of the pine tree known asrosin, turpentine and pine oil.

NEUTRAL: Neither acid noralkaline, therefore, not reactive in achemical sense.

NEUTRAL COLOR: A dull orgrayed color that harmonizes orblends readily with other colors. Forexample, a neutral gray is one ofmedium value, midway betweenlight and dark gray.

NEUTRAL OIL: A light gravitymineral oil obtained by the distilla-tion of petroleum and often used asthe lubricant for rubbing a driedfilm with pumice stone, sandpaperor other abrasive materials.

NIBS: Foreign particles such as lintand dust, which when mixed with afinishing material during applica-tion form raised specks in the driedfilm.

NIGROSINE: A spirit soluble blue-black dye used in stains.

NITROCELLULOSE: Theproduct obtained by nitratingcellulose, in the form of linters,cotton waste, wood pulp, etc., bytreatment with a mixture of nitricand sulphuric acid. For differentpurposes, the cellulose is nitrated tovarious degrees. The NC used formanufacturing lacquers containsabout 12% nitrogen.

NITROGEN OXIDES (NOx): Acolorless, odorless gas that is aprimary component in creatingground level ozone (SMOG). Main

sources include automobiles and fossilburning power plants.

NODULAR: Spherical in shape, espe-cially used to describe pigment particles.

NONBLEEDING: The opposite ofbleeding - not soluble in succeeding coatsSee “BLEEDING” above.

NONDRYING: When spread out in athin film, these substances lack the abilityto absorb oxygen from the air or to changefrom a liquid to a solid state. Mineral oils,castor oil, peanut oil and coconut oil areexamples of nondrying oils.

NONVOLATILE: That portion of amaterial that does not evaporate atordinary temperatures; the solid substancesleft behind after the volatiles have evapo-rated.

NUANCE: A small gradation or slightdegree of difference in color. It sharessomewhat of the same meaning as or“TINGE.” For example, a color calledIndian Red could be described as abrownish-red with a purple nuance, ortinge.

NUBS: One size of the gradings of naturalresins. Nubs, which are about the size ofthe end of the finger, are smaller than“bold”, but larger than “seed” or “dust”gradings.

OCCLUDE: To take in or retain amaterial in the pores of another material.For example, many pigments containoccluded air.

OCHRES: Earthy iron oxide pigments,usually yellow or brown in color, consist-ing of hydrated ferric oxide mixed withvarying amounts of clay, sand and othermaterials.

ODOR: That property of a substance thatis perceptible by the sense of smell,specifically, the smell, scent or fragranceof a material.

OFF COLOR: Not matching the color ofa standard with which a material is beingcompared.

OIL: This is a smooth, greasy feelingliquid. Oils are classified according totheir origin as: vegetable, animal ormineral. Moreover, oils are fixed or fatty

and volatile or essential, according totheir behavior upon being heated.

OIL ABSORPTION: The quantity ofoil required to wet a definite amount ofpigment to form a stiff paste during thegrinding process.

OIL COLORS: These are colors thathave been ground to a paste or semi-paste consistency in a vegetable oil.

OIL DRIERS: Liquid driers thatcontain little or no resin but do containconsiderable vegetable oil.

OIL LENGTH: The number ofgallons of oil cooked with 100 poundsof resin. A short oil varnish containsless than 10 gallons; a medium oilvarnish contains from 10 to 25 gallons;a long oil varnish contains in excess of25 gallons.

OIL POLISH: A polishing materialthat contains oil as one of the ingredi-ents. This can also refer to the finishobtained by rubbing successive thincoats of linseed oil on wood.

OIL RUBBING: The process ofdulling the luster and smoothing thesurface of a dried film of finishingmaterial by rubbing it with pumicestone or other abrasive materials whilelubricating the surface with oil.

OIL SOLUBLE: Capable of beingdissolved in an oil.

OIL STAINS: Those stains thatcontain oil or that are made from oilcolors.

OIL VARNISHES: Varnishes thatcontain oil and that harden by oxida-tion and polymerization, as contrastedto spirit varnishes that harden exclu-sively by evaporation of volatilesolvents.

OLEATE: A metallic soap havingoleic acid for its acid constituent.

OLEORESINOUS: A type of varnishmade by combining oil and hard resinby heating them in a kettle, as con-trasted to synthetic varnishes.

ONE WAY DRUM: A light-gaugesteel drum designed for one time use

Naphthenate Driers-One Way Drum

Solvents Council Page 16Technical Dictionary for Coatings

only and therefore also referred to as“one time shippers.”

OPACITY: The degree of obstruc-tion of the transmission of visiblelight. Another expression for“HIDING POWER.”

OPAQUE: A descriptor for acoating that is able to hid or makeinvisible the underlying material.Opposite of transparent.

ORANGE MINERAL: A type ofred lead that has an orange color. Itis made by heating basic carbonateof white lead in special furnaces.

ORANGE PEEL: A pebbledsurface similar to that of an orangeskin. This is generally caused by thecoating not leveling out completelyafter application by spraying.

ORGANIC COLORS: Pigments ofanimal, vegetable or dyestuff origin;specifically, those containingcarbon, hydrogen and oxygen but nominerals.

OVERBAKED: In referring tofilms, this can mean an overly hardor brittle film or one that is badlydiscolored by the application of toomuch heat for too long a period.

OVERTONE: The mass color, selfcolor or top color as exhibited byreflected light in contrast to theundertone that may show throughthe main color.

OXIDIZE (Oxidation): Tochemically unite with oxygen.

PALE: This adjective describes asubstance that is not dark or lackscolor intensity.

PAPER MARKING: Furniture andother finished objects are oftenwrapped in paper for shipment.When the paper sticks to the finishin transit or leaves a mark in thefinish, the article is said to be “papermarked.”

PARAFFIN OIL: A light gravitymineral oil often used as a lubricantfor sanding or rubbing a dried filmof finishing material.

PASTE: A stiff plastic mixture of pigmentand vehicle.

PEBBLING: Similar to “ORANGEPEEL.” Describes a roughened surfaceafter spraying, due to insufficient flowingof the coating.

PEELING: A defect in a dried film thatoccurs when large pieces become detachedfrom the underneath surface and comeloose in sheets or large flakes.

PENETRATING STAINS: Those stainsthat penetrate into the surface of the wood.These stains are usually made of dyesdissolved into liquids that easily penetratethe wood.

PERRILA OIL: An oil obtained fromplants grown in China and Japan and oftenused in place of linseed oil in the manufac-ture of varnish.

PERISH: Loss of life or elasticity in adried film of finishing material.

PERMEABILITY: The ability of amaterial to allow another material to passthrough it without rupture.

PETROLEUM SPIRITS: Another namefor “mineral spirits.”

PFUND GAUGE: An instrument formeasuring the thickness of a film that isnot dry.

PHENOLIC RESINS: Synthetic resinsmade by condensing phenol with formal-dehyde or similar aldehydes.

PHOSPHORESCENT: Exhibiting lightor glowing after exposure to light.

pH VALUE: The concentration of thehydrogen ion in a material. A pH value of7 is considered neutral. Lower valuesindicate the material is acidic; highervalues indicate it is alkaline.

PICKING UP: The softening and raisingof underneath coatings by the solventaction of coats applied over them.

PIGMENT: The fine, solid particles usedfor color or other properties in the manu-facture of paint and enamel.

PIGMENT STAINS: Those stains that gettheir color primarily from pigments mixedwith binder and volatile thinners.

PILING: Describes an excessivequantity of finishing material. Also,this term is used if the material doesnot level out by flowing smoothly.

PILL: The soft ball produced bychilling varnish when the resin and oilhave been thoroughly combined beforethinning.

PINE OIL: A naval stores productconsisting of a complex mixture ofturpenes, alcohols, ketones and ethersthat is obtained by distilling the sap ofpine trees.

PINE TAR: The black residueobtained by the destructive distillationof the sap of the pine tree or of thewood itself.

PINHOLING: The appearance of finepimply defects in a dried film, due tobubbles or other causes, which result insmall holes in the film after the topshave been removed by rubbing orsanding.

PITCH: This is the black residue leftfrom the distillation of tar, oil andsimilar materials.

PITTING: These are small holes thatappear in a dried film, which areusually caused by moisture, grease, orsome volatile substance that escapesfrom the film late in the drying processwhen the finishing material is unableto flow and fill in the void.

PLASTICITY: Plastic materials holdtheir shape under normal conditions,but are deformed when heat, pressureor abnormal conditions are applied.The ability to flow under stress withoutripping or tearing.

PLASTICIZER: A softening materialthat is added to lacquers or othercompounds in order to impart elonga-tion, elasticity and flexibility.

POCK MARKS: See “ORANGEPEEL.”

POISE: This is the absolute unit ofviscosity. For example, a material has aviscosity of one poise when a force ofone dyne is required to move a surfacefilm of one square centimeter at therate of one centimeter per second whenthat surface is separated from a parallel

Opacity-Poise

Solvents Council Page 17Technical Dictionary for Coatings

surface by a film one centimeter inthickness.

POLARIZED LIGHT: Lightwhich vibrates in one plane ordirection only.

POLISH: This word has severalmeanings:

1. The act of increasing the luster ofthe dried film of a finishingmaterial by friction;

2. The material used for producinga high luster;

3. A brilliantly glossy finish that isproduced by polishing;

POLYMERIZATION: Thereaction by which two or moremolecules of a given substancecombine with each other to form acompound from which the originalsubstance can be regenerated.

POLYSTYRENE RESINS: Theseare synthetic resins formed by thepolymerization of styrene.

PONTIANAK RESIN: A semi-fossilized Manila copal.

PONY MIXER: A small mixerused for mixing pigments withliquids.

POPPYSEED OIL: A semi-dryingoil that is obtained from the seed ofvarious species of poppy plants.

POROUS: This describes materialthat is not dense or has small voidsor holes that absorb topcoats offinishing material.

POWDERING: This is a defectexhibited in some short oil finishesthat form a powder when friction isapplied. This also describes thegeneral appearance of a powder ona film due to age or any other cause.

PRECIPITATE: The solidsubstance separated from a liquid byeither a chemical reaction or by theapplication of light or heat.

PRIMARY COLORS: In pig-ments the primary colors are yellow,

crimson-red and blue. In the colorspectrum the primary colors are scarlet-red, green and violet. These are the basiccolors from which all other colors aremade.

PRIMER: The coat of material that isapplied directly over the uncoated surface.

PRINTING: The impression left in a filmof dried finishing material after pressurehas been removed.

PROTECTIVE COATING: Any coatingthat protects the surface from deteriora-tion.

PROXIMATE ANALYSIS: The testingof a material to determine the types ofcompounds or elements present withoutdetermining the amounts of each. This isanother expression for “QUALITATIVEANALYSIS.”

PUCKERING: The crinkling or shrivel-ing of a material upon drying.

PUDDING: The wrinkling of a coat offinish that thickens due to aging in thepackage.

PUDDLING: This refers to the applica-tion of excessive heavy, uneven coats offinishing material.

PULL OUTS: These small holes arecaused by rubbing dirt nibs or other defectsout of a dried film of finishing material.

PULLING UNDER THE BRUSH: Thisis the term for the resistance to brushingcaused by too much viscosity, too fastdrying or other properties that prevent easyand fluent brushing.

PULVERIZED: Powdered.

PUMICE STONE: A powdery substanceof volcanic origin that is used as anabrasive in rubbing the dried film offinishing materials.

PURITY: This term describes a materialor product that is unadulterated.

PUTTY: This is a pasty material consist-ing of pigment and binder that is used forfilling imperfections in the surface to becoated or for holding windowpanes inplace.

PYROXYLIN: See ”NITROCELLU-LOSE.”

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS: See“PROXIMATE ANALYSIS.”

QUALITY: The character, nature, orphysical properties belonging to amaterial or product. This can also referto the subjective quality of a product.For example, a quality product can bea superior or excellent one.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS: Ananalysis to determine the amounts andkinds of compounds or elementspresent in a material.

QUANTITY: This is the amount,bulk, mass, weight or measure of anitem.

QUICK DRYING: This is a materialthat dries in less than 4 hours.

QUIESCENT: This term describes thequality of being in a state of repose;still; not moving; dormant.

RAIN SPOTS: A defect in a driedfilm caused by drops of water deposit-ing small quantities of mineral matteronto the surface of the film.

RAPESEED OIL: An oil of a darkbrown or pale yellow color, having anunpleasant odor. This oil, obtainedfrom the seeds of certain plants, is usedto some extent as a plasticizer becauseof its poor drying properties.

RAT TAILING: A defect in a driedfilm caused by a bubble or a smallpiece of dirt that flows downward on avertical surface in such a way as toleave a thinner film of finishingmaterial above it, due to the materialhaving lost its flowing power.

RAW MATERIALS: These are thenatural, untreated or unprocessedmaterials from which coatings aremade.

RAW OIL: Linseed oil in its natural,untreated condition.

RAW SIENNA: One of the brownearth colors used in the manufacture ofpigmented stains and fillers. It is amixture of ferric oxide and silica orsilicates.

Polarized Light-Raw Sienna

Solvents Council Page 18Technical Dictionary for Coatings

RAW UMBER: A brown earthcolor, consisting of iron oxide,manganese oxide and silica orsilicates, that is used in the manu-facture of pigmented stains andfillers.

RECEDING COLORS: These arecolors, which are generally thecooler shades of blue or green,which give an illusion of withdraw-ing into distance.

REDUCE: To lower the viscosity ofa material or to thin a material byadding a solvent, thinner, varnish oroil.

REDUCER: The volatile materialsincluded in a paint, varnish orlacquer to reduce its viscosity. Areducer can also refer to the volatilematerials added to the coating by theuser.

REDUCING OILS: Special oilsused for mixing with or thinning ofpigmented coatings.

REFINED: This term describes aproduct or substance that is purified,clarified, or separated from extrane-ous matter.

REFLECTION: The ability of asurface to throw back light, heat,etc., in its substantially originalform. Rough surfaces will reflect ina multitude of directions, and suchreflection is said to be “diffuse.”Smooth, brightly polished or glossysurfaces reflect clearly and sharplyat the same angle to the surface asthe angle at which the light or heatcontacted the surface.

REFLECTOMETER: An instru-ment for measuring the luster orsharpness of the reflection of afinished surface.

REFRACTIVE INDEX: This isthe ratio of the velocity of light in acertain medium compared with itsvelocity in air.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY: This isthe percentage of water vapor in airat a given temperature as comparedto the total amount of water vapor

the air could hold at that temperature,expressed as a percentage.

RESIN: A solid or semi-solid organicsubstance that is usually derived from thesap of trees or by chemical synthesis.Resins are generally used in the manufac-ture of varnishes, lacquers and similarcoatings.

RESINATE: This is any salt of a rosinacid. The heavy metal resinates are used asdriers for paints and varnishes.

RETARDER: A slowly evaporatingsolvent that decreases the evaporation rateor slows the drying of lacquers and similarmaterials.

RIBS: These are raised ridges in the finishcaused by heavy brush marks that were notremoved by sanding or rubbing before thefinal coat was applied.

RICH: This describes the quality of asubstance or product as vivid, deep, notfaint. This can also mean abundant inspecial qualities.

ROLLER COATING: A method ofapplying finishing materials to flat surfacesby passing the surface between rollers, oneor both of which are coated with thematerial.

ROLLER MILL: A paint mill consistingof hardened steel rollers that revolve inopposite directions at different speeds. Thismill produces a sheering action that causespigment particles to be dispersed in thevehicle when a mixture of pigment andvehicle is passed between the rolls. Duringthe milling the paint is transferred fromone roll to another until it is finely ground.

ROPY: Description for a sticky or stringyconsistency that will not allow the materialto level or flow out smoothly after applica-tion.

ROSIN: The resinous material obtained bydistilling turpentine and other volatilematerials from the sap of pine trees. Alsocalled “COLOPHONY.”

ROSIN OIL: A viscous oil obtained by thedestructive distillation of rosin.

ROTTENSTONE: A soft, siliceouslimestone in pulverized form used as an

abrasive and polishing agent for driedfilms of finishing materials. Alsoknown as “TRIPOLI.”

ROUGH STUFF: A surfacingmaterial formerly used extensively inthe automotive industry for filling theimperfections in the metal. When dry,it was rubbed to a smooth surface withan abrasive and then coated with colorvarnish or other finishing coats.

RUBBER FINISH: A black finishthat has the luster and appearance ofhard rubber.

RUBBER RESINS: Resins derivedfrom rubber by chemical treatment andused for making certain coatings.

RUBBING: The act of applyingmechanical friction, usually inconjunction with an abrasive and alubricant, to a film of finishingmaterial to: bring it to a level, smoothsurface; deaden the luster; or removespecks of dirt; etc.

RUBBING BLOCK: A block of felt,sometimes mounted on a woodenblock, used in connection with anabrasive and a lubricant for rubbingdried films of finishing materials.

RUBBING OIL: A pale, medium-heavy mineral oil used with pumicestone or other abrasives as a lubricantfor rubbing the dried film of finishingmaterials.

RUBBING VARNISH: A varnish thatis so constructed as to withstandrubbing with an abrasive and alubricant within a reasonable time afterbeing applied.

RUNS: Defects in a dried film causedby an excessive amount of materialbeing applied, usually in an unevenmanner, so that a portion of thematerial flows down in an irregular orcurtained manner.

SAGS: This describes the irregularityof film thickness due to uneven flow.

SANDING SURFACER: A heavilypigmented finishing material used forbuilding the surface to a smoothcondition. It is sanded when dry.

Raw Umber-Sanding Surfacer

Solvents Council Page 19Technical Dictionary for Coatings

SANDPAPER: A paper coated withan abrasive material that is used forsurfacing wood, metal or finishingmaterials.

SANDY: A term used to describethe roughened surface of a finishingmaterial caused by ungroundpigment particles, skins, dirt orsimilar foreign bodies.

SAPONIFICATION VALUE: Thenumber of milligrams of potassiumhydroxide required to neutralize(saponify) all the acid in one gramof an oil or resin.

SATIN FINISH: This describes afinish with a luster similar to that ofsatin and having between a fullgloss and a semi-gloss luster.

SCALING: A term used to describethe cobwebby appearance of varnishwhen the topcoat has been rubbedthrough, showing the next coat ofvarnish underneath. The term alsodescribes an aggravated form offlaking, in which large pieces of thedried finishing material come offand expose the bare surface below.

SCHEDULE: A statement of thesequence of operations, such as thetypes of finishing materials;amounts of reduction; methods ofapplication; drying times andtemperatures; and sanding andrubbing operations, used in obtain-ing the finish on the work.

SCRATCHES: Slight incisions,breaks, tears or indentations on asurface.

SEALER: Any finishing materialthat is applied for the primarypurpose of stopping the absorptionof succeeding coats.

SEBACIC ACID: An organic acidused for making synthetic resinsthrough combinations with glycer-ine or other alcohols.

SECONDARY COLORS: Amixture of any two primary colors.For example, the primary colorsblue and yellow, when mixed,produce the secondary color green.

SEEDING: The formation of grains ofundissolved resin in a varnish or lacqueror the formation of pigment aggregatesfrom small individual particles in a paintcaused by severe chilling or thinners.

SEMI-DRYING OIL: An oil which onlypartially hardens when a film is exposed tothe air as contrasted to one which hardenscompletely (a drying oil), or one whichdoes not harden at all (a non-drying oil).

SEMI-GLOSS: A luster midway betweena full gloss and a dead flat.

SEPARATION: The breaking up orsegregation of two or more integral partsof a mixture into its component parts. Forexample, in a varnish this may take theform of the resin becoming insoluble inthe other ingredients; or in a paint orenamel, where a clear liquid portion formsabove the pigmented portion. Generally, inliquid there may be a segregation of layersof component liquids.

SETTING-UP TIME: The time requiredfor the initial drying stage of a finishingmaterial, whereby it has lost its ability toflow, but is still soft and plastic.

SETTLING: The separation of a pigmentor other solid ingredient from a coatingmaterial upon standing.

SET TO TOUCH: An initial stage ofdrying when sufficient solvents haveevaporated so that the film hardensenough that it can be touched lightlywithout adhering to the finger.

SHADE: Describes the degree of intensityof a color, such as a dark or light green.This also describes the act of changing thetone or degree of color by adding smallquantities of other colors to it.

SHARP DRYER: A term applied tofinishing materials that dry quickly andcompletely through all layers without amushy effect.

SHARP LUSTER: This term describes avery high luster.

SHEARY: This describes a finishingmaterial that is not uniform in luster afterbeing applied and dried.

SHEEN: The degree of luster of the dried

film of a finishing material. This termis usually used to describe the luster ofrubbed surfaces or of flat dryingmaterials.

SHELLAC: The resinous materialsecreted by an insect that feeds uponthe twigs of certain trees in India. It issoluble in alcohol to form liquidshellac, which is used as a sealer andfinishing material for wood.

SHELLAC SUBSTITUTE: A spiritvarnish made by dissolving variousresins in denatured alcohol or othersolvents to produce a coating that hascharacteristics similar to those ofshellac varnish.

SHINE: A dried film of finishingmaterial that has a high gloss.

SHORT: This term describes thequality of lacking toughness orelasticity. For example, a dried film is“short” when it is brittle. Additionally,an undried material is “short” when itis crumbly or does not flow easily.

SHORT OIL VARNISH: This is avarnish that is relatively high in resincontent and low in oil content.

SHRINKAGE: The disruption of thelevel plane of a finished surface withage, whereby the thickness of filmappears to diminish or the luster diesaway. This condition can be caused byrepeated slight movements of the woodor of underneath coats of material.

SICCATIVE: A coating that dries orhardens through oxidation rather thanby evaporation or polymerization.

SIENNA: An earth pigment of ayellowish-brown, or reddish-browncolor used in paints, stains and fillers.The color is derived from the presenceof oxides of iron and manganese.

SILICA: An inert pigment used as anextender in paints and in paste woodfillers

SILICATE OF SODA: This is thechemical name for water glass. It issoluble in water, dries to a hardtransparent film and is slightlyalkaline.

Sandy-Silicate of Soda

Solvents Council Page 20Technical Dictionary for Coatings

SILKING: These are the parallelhair-like lines in the surface offinished work that has been brushedor dipped. These lines are found inthe direction of the flow. A colorfloat can cause this condition.

SINKING IN: Describes a finishingmaterial when a considerableamount of it is absorbed by theunderneath surface.

SIZE: A liquid coating used to seala porous surface and preventsubsequent coats from beingabsorbed.

SKIN: This is the film of oxidizedor polymerized finishing materialthat forms on the surface while inthe container or in a tank.

SKIPS: Uncoated parts of a surfacethat have been unintentionally leftbare.

SLUSH: The act of applying afinishing material roughly bydipping, spraying or brushing. Sometypes of slush are: slush oils, whichare rustproofing coatings for steel,and pumice slush, which is thefinely divided slurry produced byrubbing.

SMOKY: Describes a finish when ithas a cloudy look and is not bright,transparent and high in gloss.

SOFT: Easily deformed or pen-etrated. The opposite of hard.

SOFTENERS: See “PLASTICIZ-ERS.”

SOLID: A body of matter that willnot yield or flow except underextreme force.

SOLID COVERING: Having theability to obscure the underneathsurface in one coat.

SOLUBLE: Able to be dissolved ina liquid.

SOLUBILITY: Describes theamount of a substance that willdissolve in another substance.Generally, the more fluid thesubstance becomes, the greater thesolubility.

SOLUTION: This is a liquid substancethat is homogeneously mixed with anotherliquid.

SOLVENT: A liquid substance that iscapable of dissolving or dispersing othersubstances.

SORTS: One of the size gradings forresins, referring to rather large pieces thathave been sorted for color and size.

SOYBEAN OIL: A semi-drying oilobtained from the soya bean, which isgrown extensively in Asia and in theUnited States. When combined with resinsor other chemicals, it produces syntheticvarnishes.

SPAR VARNISH: A very elastic water-proof varnish used originally for coatingmasts and spars on sailing vessels.

SPATULA: A long, flexible knife used formixing colors and other similar purposes.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY: The ratio of theweight of a given volume of a substance tothe weight of an equal volume of distilledwater at a temperature of 62°F.

SPEWING: The separation of one or morecomponents of a finishing material on thesurface of the film during the dryingprocess. This is usually caused by incom-patibility.

SPIDER LEGS: Describes the conditionwhen the paint on the upright surfaceseparates or breaks and the vehicle runsdown in long, crooked channels.

SPIRIT STAIN: A stain made by dissolv-ing a dye in alcohol.

SPIRIT VARNISH: A varnish made bydissolving resin in alcohol or other volatilesolvents in such a way that the varnishdries by evaporation, rather than byoxidation or polymerization.

SPLIT: This describes the condition of afinishing material separating into two ormore distinct parts upon standing.

SPOTTING: This is the conditiondescribing the formation of small off-colorareas on a finished surface.

SPRAYING: The act of applying amaterial by means of compressed air

through a spray gun in such a manneras to break up the material into a finemist and to blow it onto the work.

SPREADING RATE: The number ofsquare feet of surface that can becovered with a gallon of a givenfinishing material by a given methodof application.

STABILIZER: Any substance addedto a coating material to make it morestable in the package or while beingapplied.

STAINING: The act of changing thecolor of wood without disturbing thetexture or markings. This change isaccomplished through the applicationof transparent or semi-transparentliquids made from dyes, finely dividedpigments or chemicals.

STEAREATE: A soap of stearic acid.

STEARIC ACID: An organic acidobtained from many fats and oils usedfor making metallic soaps, which inturn are used as fatting agents or as acoating for pigment particles.

STIFF: A material that is difficult toapply using a brush because it has ahigh viscosity.

STIPPLED FINISH: This is a finishwith a slightly roughened or pebbledsurface produced by pounding thematerial with the ends of the bristles ina stiff brush, or other suitable means,while the material is wet.

STOCK: The amount of material onthe work. For example, if the filmthickness is not great enough, it is saidthat there is not enough stock on thework.

STONE MILL: A paint grinding millin which paint passes between two flatpieces of roughened stone - onestationary, the other revolving.

STRENGTH: The relative tinting orhiding power of a colored finishingmaterial.

STRIKING IN: The defect producedby a coat of finishing material thatsoftens and partially penetrates anunderneath coating.

Silking-Striking In

Solvents Council Page 21Technical Dictionary for Coatings

STRING: A finishing material witha partially hardened film thatstretches out to a thin thread whenpulled instead of breaking.

SUBLIMATION: A change of statefrom a solid to a gas that occurswithout going through the liquidstate. The melting of dry ice or solidcarbon dioxide is an illustration ofsublimation.

SUNDAYS: Skipped places causedby failure to entirely cover thesurface at the time the finishingmaterial is applied.

SURFACE: The outside or exteriorboundary of any substance. One issaid to “surface” the work whenthey rub or sand it to a smooth, levelplane.

SURFACE DRYING: This occurswhen a coating dries on top butremains relatively soft underneath.

SURFACER: Any finishingmaterial that is used to produce asmoother surface.

SURFACE TENSION: Theattractive force exerted on surfacemolecules of a liquid by themolecules beneath. This results inthe drawing of the surface mol-ecules of the liquid into the shapethat yields the least surface area.This term also means the modifyingof one phase in contact withanother.

SUSPENSION: A substance thathas its particles mixed with, butundissolved, in another liquid.

SWEATING: This describes thecondition of a coating becomingmore or less glossy again after beingdull-rubbed. Rubbing the coatingbefore it is sufficiently dry can causethis condition.

SYNTHETIC: Describes any itemthat is prepared artificially orchemically rather than occurringnaturally.

TACK FREE: That conditionwhen a film of finishing materialhas reached the point that the

surface can be touched lightly without asensation of stickiness.

TACK RAG: A piece of loosely wovencotton cloth that has been dipped intovarnish and wrung out. It soon becomestacky or sticky and is used to wipe asurface to remove small particles of dust.

TALC: Also known as soapstone. This isan inert pigment used in paints that is aflaky or fibrous form of hydrated alumi-num silicate.

TALL OIL: A vegetable oil-resin by-product of the manufacture of wood pulp.

TAR: A thick brown or black viscousliquid consisting of a mixture of hydrocar-bons and their derivatives obtained by thedistillation of materials of organic origin,such as wood, coal, shale and oil.

TAUTNESS: The degree of tightness of afilm or membrane.

TEARS: These are small drops offinishing material at the bottom edge ofvertical surfaces that are caused by thesurface tension of the material counteract-ing the pull of gravity.

TENACITY: The ability to hold fast oradhere to a surface.

TENSILE STRENGTH: The ability of afilm to withstand pulling stresses.

TEST RACK: An exposure rack onwhich coated panels are tested for durabil-ity under exterior conditions.

TEXTURE: An impression created by asurface structure or the general physicalappearance of a surface.

THERMOMETER: An instrument formeasuring temperature.

THERMOPLASTIC: A high molecularweight polymer that softens when exposedto heat and returns to its original conditionwhen cooled to room temperature.

THERMOSET: A material that under-goes a chemical reaction when heatedresulting in a hardened material whencooled. The material does not soften withadditional applications of heat.

THICK: Having a heavy consistency.

String-Tube Body

Solvents Council Page 22Technical Dictionary for Coatings

THICKNESS OF FILM: Thisdescribes the body on the work afterthe film of finishing material hasthoroughly dried.

THIN COAT: A coat of finishingmaterial that is less heavy than usual.

THINNER: A volatile material used tothin or reduce finishing materials.

THIXOTROPHY: The property ofcertain gels to become liquid uponbeing shaken or agitated and tocoagulate again when left in anundisturbed condition.

THUMBNAIL PROOF: Thecondition of a film when it has driedsufficiently so as to be resistant tobeing scratched with the thumbnail.

TIFFANY FINISH: A blended multi-color finish used for decorating interiorwalls.

TINGE: A faint trace of an alteringcolor.

TINT: A color produced by theaddition of another color to white paintor enamel. This can also represent theact of adding a color to the whitematerial.

TONE: A modification of a full color.

TOOTH: That property of a surfacethat allows the film of succeeding coatsof finishing materials to adhere readily.

TOPSTONE: The color reflected bythe surface of a film of finishingmaterial.

TOUGHNESS: The ability of a driedfilm to be bent, indented or distortedwithout cracking. The opposite ofbrittleness.

TRANSFER EFFICIENCY: Themeasure of transfer of a coating fromthe application source to the sub-strate. The higher the value-the moreefficient the transfer.

TRIPOLI: See “ROTTENSTONE.”

TUBE BODY: The consistency of aliquid as noted by the speed withwhich an air bubble rises through thematerial in a calibrated glass tube.

Tung Oil-Wetting Agents

Solvents Council Page 23Technical Dictionary for Coatings

TUNG OIL: An oil obtained bypressing the nut of the tung treewhich grows in China and neigh-boring lands. It is hardly ever usedin the raw state because it dries toa flat non-lustrous film. Whenheat–treated, it dries with a glossyfinish. It is generally used inmaking quick-drying, water-resistant varnishes and wrinklefinishes.

TURBIDITY: A cloudiness in atransparent coating caused byfinely suspended matter.

TURPENTINE: A volatile thinnerproduced by the distillation of thesap of pine trees.

ULTRAMARINE BLUE: A bluepigment that is made by heatingchina clay, sodium carbonate,sulphur and carbon.

ULTRA-VIOLET: Those lightrays, outside the visible spectrumat its violet end, that have achemical effect upon the driedfilms of finishing materials.

UMBER: A hydrated iron-manganese oxide pigment of abrownish or greenish brown colorthat is used in paints, pigmentstains and paste wood fillers.

UNDER BAKED: Not bakedhard, due to insufficient time ortemperature or both.

VACATIONS: Skipped or un-coated places in the finished work.

VALUE: The quality by which apale or light color is distinguishedfrom a deep or dark color of thesame tone.

VAPOR PRESSURE: Thepressure exerted by a vapor that isin equilibrium with its solid orvapor liquid form.

VARNISH: Any homogenoustransparent or translucent liquidwhich, when applied as a thin film,hardens upon exposure to air orheat; or by evaporation, oxidationor polymerization; or a combina-

tion of these to form a continuous filmthat imparts protective or decorativeproperties.

VEGETABLE OILS: Oils obtainedfrom various seeds or nuts of vegetablegrowth.

VEHICLE: The liquid portion of afinishing material consisting of thebinder and volatile thinners as contrastedto the pigment or solid matter.

VEILING: The formation of a cobwebpattern in a film that has been appliedwith a spray gun, due to the rapidevaporation of the solvents.

VINYL RESINS: Synthetic resinsresulting from the polymerization ofvinyl compounds.

VISCOMETER: An instrument thatmeasures the viscosity of a liquid.

VISCOSITY: The resistance to flowingexhibited by fluids as well as the internalfriction of the movement of moleculesagainst each other.

VOLATILE: Readily vaporizable at arelatively low temperature.

VOLATILE THINNER: That liquidportion of a coating material that reducesthe consistency for application andevaporates from the film completely.

WARM COLOR: Any color in whichred or orange predominates.

WASH COAT: A thin solution ofshellac, lacquer or other material appliedover a stain to enrich it and to stiffen thefibers of the wood so they can be easilysanded. In special cases, a wash coat isapplied to the bare wood to preventsucceeding coats from discoloring it or toenable a glaze to be wiped off easily.

WASHING: A type of paint failureevidenced by formation of a surfacepowder that is washed off by rain.

WATER COLORS: Colors mixed withor ground in water.

WATERGLASS: See “SILICATE OFSODA.”

WATERPROOFING AGENTS:Products added to protective coatingsto improve their ability to withstandwater, or sealing materials used forthe same purpose.

WATERSPOTTING: An imperfec-tion in a dried film manifested byspotty changes in the color or luster.

WATER STAIN: A stain consistingof dyes dissolved in water.

WATER WHITE: Describes the lackof color, that is, as colorless as water.

WAX: Any of a number of resinous,pliable substances, of plant or animalorigin, which are insoluble in water,partially soluble in substances such asalcohols and miscible in all propor-tions with oils. Used for makingpolishes and for similar purposes.

WEAK COLOR: A color that doesnot have a lot of hiding power.

WEATHEROMETER: An instru-ment used for accelerated testing ofcoatings for their resistance toexterior exposure conditions. Alter-nate periods of artificial sunlight anddarkness, interspersed with simulatedshowers, are repeated continuouslyand automatically until the filmshows signs of deterioration. Itsdurability is then expressed innumber of cycles or number of hoursof exposure.

WEATHER RESISTANT: Capableof withstanding exposure to theweather.

WEIGHT: That property of a bodythat tends to pull it toward the centerof the earth. Also expressed as theattraction of gravity exerted upon anobject.

WEIGHT PER VOLUME: Mass perunit volume at a given temperature.For example, pounds per gallon,kilograms per liter, etc.

WETTING AGENTS: Products thatare added to protective coatings to aidthe dispersion of the pigment in thevehicle, the penetration of the coatinginto the surface being treated, and forsimilar purposes.

ZEBRA BOARD: A testing chart withalternate black and white stripes, madenon-absorbent by a protective coating. It isused for evaluating the hiding power ofpigmented coatings.

ZEIN: An alcohol soluble protein, usuallyderived from corn, that is used as abinding agent in sealers and as a plasticmolding material.

ZINC CHROMATE: A bright yellowpigment that is used to a considerableextent as a rust inhibitor in metallicprimers and in similar coatings.

ZINC RESINATE: The metallic soap ofzinc and the rosin acids.

ZINC STEARATE: The zinc soap ofstearic acid, used as a drier and as aflatting agent.

ZINC SULPHATE: A colorless, crystal-line substance, used to some extent as apaint pigment, but mostly for makinglithopone.

ZINC SULPHIDE: A white pigment.One of the components of lithopone.

ZIRCONIUM OXIDE: A white pigmentmade by oxidizing various salts ofzirconium.

WHITING: Finely ground,naturally occurring calciumcarbonate used as a filler.

WHITENING: A conditionbrought about in the dried film of acoating material by the absorptionof moisture.

WRITING: An inert whitepigment consisting mostly ofcalcium carbonate.

WIND BREAK: Roughnessformed on the surface of a finishingmaterial by a current of air blowingover it while drying.

WIPING STAINS: Those stains,usually pigmented, that are appliedand wiped with a cloth to removethe excess stain.

WOOD ALCOHOL: The commonname for methyl alcohol.

WOOD FILLER: A pasty materialused for filling and coloring thepores of wood. It is usually thinnedwith solvent, applied to the surfaceand then wiped off across the grainof the wood, allowing it to remainonly in the pores.

WOOD OIL: See “TUNG OIL.”

WRINKLE FINISH: A varnish orenamel film which forms finewrinkles or an irregular surface as itdries. This can also occur whenregular varnish is applied tooheavily.

YELLOWING: The tendency of adried film to take on a yellowishcast with age.

YIELD: The quantity of finishedproduct obtained from the quantitiesof raw materials specified in theformula.

YIELD POINT: The initialpressure required to cause a plasticmaterial to flow.

AMERICAN CHEMISTRYCOUNCIL

SOLVENTS COUNCILMEMBERS

Dow Chemical Companywww.dow.com

Eastman Chemical Companywww.eastman.com

ExxonMobil Chemical Companywww.exxon.mobil.com

Lyondell Chemical Companywww.lyondell.com

Shell Chemical LPwww.shellus.com

Sunoco, Inc.www.sunocochem.com

The Solvents Council serves as aforum for addressing health, safety,and environmental issues that affectproducers, distributors, and users ofhydrocarbon and oxygenated sol-vents. For more information aboutthis bulletin or the Council, pleasecontact Barbara Francis, manager ofthe Solvents Council atBarbara_Francis@americanchemistry.com

Legal Notice

The information contained in thisbrochure is offered in good faithand believed to be accurate andreliable as of the date of publica-tion. However, neither AmericanChemistry Council nor theSolvents Council assumes anyliability resulting from the use of,or reliance upon, the informationprovided in this brochure. Allpersons involved in handling,storing, or using solvents have anindependent obligation to ascertainthat their actions are in compliancewith current federal, state, andlocal laws and regulations, andshould consult with legal counselconcerning such matters.

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