As a consequence of recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, manufacturers, applicators and facility owners are specifying the use of high solids coatings and/or water-borne coatings. Accordingly, water-borne coatings are used increasingly in our society. There are four classes of water-borne coatings: water reducible coatings, latex coatings,
water emulsion coatings, and alkali silicate coatings. Water reducible coatings contain a water insoluble resin and water miscible solvent reduced with water to application viscosity. Latex-based coatings are a dispersion of solid polymer particles in water. Emulsion coatings are a dispersion of liquid particles in water. Alkali silicate coatings consist of a water-soluble inorganic resin that converts to an insoluble film after application. Each has significantly different performance and curing
properties, although an overriding similarity is the dependence on water evaporation to obtain full cure. Accordingly, the coating inspector must pay particular attention to the following: transit and storage temperatures; proper application procedures to minimize air entrapment; appropriate surface and air temperatures, relative humidity, thickness and air
circulation during application and curing to ensure proper evaporation of the water and suitable film formation; surface cleanliness and porosity to prevent disbonding and pinholing; and equipment selection.