Color Matters The Relationship Between Color and Pigments in Architectural Coatings

Color Matters The Relationship Between Color and Pigments in Architectural Coatings

AIA Best Practices Valspar sponsors this learning unit provided by Hanley Wood, a registered provider with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Systems (CES). Credits earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion are available for recordkeeping and selfreporting purposes. This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, and services should be directed to Valspar after you complete this learning unit.

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Course Description The perception of color is informed by a culture and its symbolism, from food and fashion to the landscape, structures, raw materials and light. Color forecasting identifies the newest trends in color that are drawn from these underlying influences and provides an ongoing resource of inspiration for designers and architects. This course will demonstrate the importance of color in the built environment and how color is used in specific industries and building types to inform an occupant of their surroundings. The course will discuss the relationship between color and pigments, including how pigments can affect color performance in architectural coatings. It will cover ASTM performance test methods used to ensure coatings meet industry standards and perform well, and the effect that exposure has on pigments and color retention. In addition AAMA specifications for various coating technologies will be discussed, and how these can help specify the correct pigments for optimal form and function in a project.

Learning Objectives 1. Demonstrate the importance of color in the built environment, including in specific industries and building types. 2. Explain the relationship between color, pigments, and architectural coating performance. 3. Describe ASTM test methods used to define the performance specifications for architectural coatings, including the effect that exposure has on pigments and color retention. 4. Identify AAMA specifications for various coating technologies.

Learning Objective One Demonstrate the importance of color in the built environment, including in specific industries and building types.

Color is Emotion Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. Pablo Picasso Red side of color spectrum evokes emotions ranging from warmth and comfort to anger and hostility. Blue side of color spectrum evokes feelings of calm, sadness and indifference.

Color Trend Research Color provokes instant reaction in consumers. Generates purchases through color attraction. Companies perform intense research, analysis and forecasting throughout the year to learn immediate and long term goals of market.

Color Trend Research Color trends are newest underlying influences, inspirations, movements and prevailing directions expressed in: Fashion Food Interior products Architecture

Color and the Built Environment Color can have a profound effect on the human experience and on users of the built environment. Artists and architects create ambience and identity in buildings using: Colored pigments Paints Mosaics Glass

Color and the Built Environment Mainstream architecture has overlooked application of color. Urban planning constraints pose complex obstacles to color usage in architecture. But with material innovations: Trend for dynamic color effects emerging. Academics proving color in urban planning is beneficial and essential.

Color and the Built Environment Architects should use color in an effective way to create more human, user-supportive environments through educated application of color. Color theory: Maintains and reinforces spatial relations with effective use of contrasting color and light. Integrates certain pigments to convey a building s dimensions and proportions.

Building Types and Industries - Exteriors Color and architecture are intimately related, as form first reaches the human eye through color. Architects can use exterior color to: Influence surrounding built environment. Fine-tune a building's appearance and bring it in harmony with its surroundings. Differentiate, contain, unite, equalize and accentuate elements of a building.

Building Types and Industries Restaurants and Food Service An inviting restaurant that arouses appetite through multisensory stimulation will be more successful, provided food and service are acceptable. Use of color in restaurant design should: Emphasize color's psychological association with appetite and smell. Stimulate the appetite. Present desired image.

Building Types and Industries Industrial Work Environments Poorly designed conditions in industrial work environments lead to: Monotony Boredom Fatigue Lack of motivation Negative interaction Accidents Proper color specifications: Improve perception Increase efficiency Minimize errors Increase safety and improve orientation.

Building Types and Industries Offices Employers should provide environment physically and psychologically supportive of employees. Ergonomics experts critical for efficient space planning, noise, lighting, etc. Color specialist: Sets correct mood and image. Pays attention to relationship between color, visual efficiency and comfort.

Building Types and Industries Schools Designers turning to color as means to inject affordable fun into school environment. Physical environment has powerful psycho-physiological impact on students. Appropriate color design: Protects eyesight. Creates surroundings conducive to studying. Promotes physical and mental health.

Building Types and Industries Healthcare Color plays important role in experience of healthcare facility as competent, efficient and caring. Color can: Enhance healing process. Inspire user confidence. Facilitate medical diagnosis and surgical performance. Maintain stimulatory balance.

Learning Objective Two Explain the relationship between color, pigments, and architectural coating performance.

Introduction to Color and Architectural Coatings Color, form, space and light are principle components of an architectural project. Color sets experience of a space. Has profound effect on built environment where we live, work and play. Has dramatic effect in changing and improving aesthetic appeal.

Introduction to Color and Architectural Coatings Color is consistently a key selling feature for building components. Color choices tend to be on conservative side. Heightened consumer and design industry desire to express creativity by re-evaluating the power of architectural color. Looking to color trends and bringing bolder color choices to projects. Poses a unique opportunity for high performance architectural coatings.

Introduction to Pigments Pigments are key ingredient that can make or break a coating. Provide coatings color. Pigment component in formulation can enhance or degrade overall performance of protective color coating. In architectural building components chemical resistance of pigment is crucial. Certain colors more affected by environment than others. Bright colors such as yellows, oranges and reds fade faster.

Introduction to Pigments Pigments added to paint to provide color. Blended to create desired color to suit aesthetics of application. Types of pigments include : Tints Metallics Pigments provide opacity to UV light by either absorbing or reflecting light, which often ensures a longer life for the coating. Pigment can affect a coating in two ways: Increase porosity, making coating less corrosion resistant. Increase hardness and surface roughness, lowering the coating s gloss level.

Pigments Performance Qualities Performance properties of final film are affected by pigments used in coating mix. Organic pigments: Very bright appearance, but low resistance to fade. Allow UV and water to penetrate. Less hiding power than inorganic pigments, contributing to poor weathering. Ceramic (inorganic) pigments: Metal oxides and mixed metal oxides that have high resistance to fade. Represent most heat stable, chemically inert, UV, and weather resistant pigments known.

Pigments: Organic vs. Inorganic A pigment changes color of reflected or transmitted light as a result of wavelengthselective absorption. Role must be for both coloration and function. Pigments either inorganic or organic in composition, but sometimes both types must be used to achieve a certain shade or color.

Inorganic Pigments Manufactured from mineral compounds that are mainly complex metal oxides. Have superior: Color stability Heat resistance Chemical resistance Colors coming from inorganic pigment are less bright: Beiges Browns Tans Other earth-tone colors

Organic Pigments Carbon-based. Often made from petroleum compounds. Low resistance to fade. Low heat resistance. Allow UV and oxygen to penetrate, breaking the chemical bonds. Less hiding power. Colors from organic pigments have very bright, vivid appearance.

Comparison of Inorganic and Organic Pigments Characteristic Inorganic Organic Color Often Dull Bright Colors Color Strength High Low Opacity Opaque (strong coverage) Transparent (low coverage) Environment 100% Sun 50% Sun or less Weatherability/Heat High Low Resistance Warranty High (10 30yrs) Low (5 10 yrs) Source Minerals Petroleum Cost Low High

How Color Affects Warranty Analyze each architectural project in terms of its particular situation, function and needs: What is the end use application? What is the application s environment? What are the performance requirements? Not all pigments suitable for every application. Pigments for exterior high performance architectural coatings require high-end products with outstanding properties; especially heat resistance.

How Color Affects Warranty Color warranties based on % of organic vs. inorganic pigments used to create final color. Film integrity determined by resin system used: PVDF SMP Polyester Gloss: Measure of surface roughness. Smoother surface = higher gloss. Chalk: Degraded resin appearing as a white powder. Fade: Caused by resin degradation Affected by gloss changes and depletion of pigment

How Color Affects Warranty Warranty PVDF - Brick Red PVDF Bright Red Film Integrity 20 years 20 years Chalk (8 rating) 20 years No warranty Fade (5.0 DE) 20 years No warranty

Clear Coat Clear coat will improve durability of any coating. Critical for metallic colors using aluminum pigmentation. This top coat keeps aluminum from discoloring when exposed to certain chemicals in environment. Can help bright colors, as color fade and chalk resistance of some organic pigments can be improved by using a clear coat.

Solar Reflectance Pigments Metal building components coated with solar reflective pigments help to keep the building cooler. Lighter colors and inorganic pigments cool better. SR pigments can be altered physically and chemically to reflect infrared radiation, while still absorbing the same amount of visible light, allowing the coating and roof to stay cooler. Products containing solar reflective pigments are available in a variety of formulations such as 70% PVDF, SMP and polyester.

Metamerism The color of an object is determined by 2 components: The chemistry of the object s pigmentation. Type of light illuminating the object. Using only 1 light source, a given color could be matched with multiple pigment combinations. Change the light source and each of those matches will then look visually different from one another. Colors that shift relative to one another when a light source changes are said to be metamers, or to be exhibiting metamerism.

Metamerism Practical applications of metamerism are experienced every day in our atmosphere. Visible spectrum of light is evenly distributed at noon when sun is directly overhead. At sundown, when the angle of direct sunlight has shifted due to a change in position of the earth relative to the sun, visible light is shifted toward red end of spectrum. Two colors that look identical at noon could shift considerably in appearance at sundown if they not matched using identical pigmentation.

Metamerism Samples entering lab to be matched are first analyzed in reflectance spectrophotometers. From those analytical results manufacturers can determine a sample s pigmentation and thus avoid producing a metameric match. In knowing the pigmentation they also know if the sample contains a pigment that has limited or no exterior durability. When a metameric match must be submitted they should be matched under daylight (noon time sun) conditions, a common practice in the coatings industry.

Learning Objective Three Describe ASTM test methods used to define the performance specifications for architectural coatings, including the effect that exposure has on pigments and color retention.

Testing and Coating Performance Factors such as: Exposure to sun (UV light) Moisture and humidity High temperatures Temperature fluctuations Lead to: Color changes Chalking Blistering Corrosion to protective metal coating. Knowing the enemy and understanding how it can affect a painted metal product helps manufacturer develop and deliver products that meet a project s specific performance requirements.

Causes of Coating Failure Possible causes of a coating failure include: Oxidation of binder due to UV exposure. Degradation/oxidation of the pigment. Reaction of the pigment or etching of the surface with atmospheric pollutants. Dirt (picked up or staining), and Wind-blown sand abrasion.

Testing and Coating Performance Coating industry constantly testing and evaluating how weather interacts with paint. Tests and evaluations performed to appropriate industry association standards by technical experts. Technology is key to: Weather testing of coatings. Formulation of new materials. Improvement of old formulas. Allows for: Coating patch and application performance. Resin development. Pigment studies.

Natural Exposure Testing Weather exposure is key component to coatings performance. Natural exterior exposure is the best way to see how a coating system will stand up to the test of time. Testing facility in Florida exposes panels at 45 angle facing south for max stress on coating performance, providing weather conditions ideal for natural testing. Numerous coated and bare metal panels monitored simultaneously.

Physical Tests Physical tests performed usings ASTM test methods to measure: Color retention Film thickness and hardness Gloss levels Resistance to solvents Flexibility To perform physical tests on a cured film, the film must be cast on a pre-coated primer: Coil applications use a drawdown rod. Extrusion applications are sprayed on.

Color Retention Test Various color instrumentation utilized to measure color of a batch: Versus the standard. As looked at by the human eye.

Film Thickness and Hardness Test Film thickness: DJH machine pierces film. Crosshairs then put on hole to determine actual DFT. Film hardness: Determined by pencil hardness test. A number of pencils held against film at specified angle and pushed across film. Test begins with hardest pencil and continues until pencil can no longer gouge film.

Gloss Levels Test The various film gloss levels used in the industry are determined by end use.

Resistance to Solvents Test Films can be very resistant to solvents. Cheesecloth saturated in MEK or acetone and rubbed across panel. One rub is up and back. Cured fluoropolymer will take 100 double rubs without breaching the film.

Flexibility Test Flexibility is critical as metal will be post-manufactured into shapes after film is applied. T bend refers to number of thicknesses of metal between the two outside in the bend. Special tape is applied on bend to determine if adhesion is lost.

Sand Abrasion Test Resistance to erosion important in exterior exposure. Sand abrasion test determines toughness of film. Sand put in hopper and allowed to fall from a specified height through a guide tube onto coated panel below. Sand continues to fall until a hole in film is created, revealing substrate below. Amount of abrasive per unit film thickness is reported as abrasion resistance of coating on panel.

Chemical Spot Test Determines a film s resistance to high acidic or alkaline conditions. Concentrated acid or base is dropped onto film and covered with a watch glass. After prescribed period of time panel is wiped off and examined. Fluoropolymers are fairly inert and do not change when subjected to such conditions.

Why Coatings Fail - Chalking Chalking caused by degradation of resin system at surface of finish, due predominantly to exposure to UV rays. As resin system breaks down, resin particles take on a white appearance, and imbedded pigment particles lose their adhesion to film. Chalk can easily be rubbed off.

Why Coatings Fail - Fading Fading is caused by UV and hydrolytic degradation of the resin system. If organic pigments are present in the color they may also be degraded. Consult individual manufacturers for more information about their test methods and facilities.

Learning Objective Four Identify AAMA specifications for various coating technologies.

Extrusion Coatings and AAMA 2605 Superior Performance Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels All extrusion coatings manufactured to protect aluminum building components fall into one of the AAMA specifications. All coatings can be produced in liquid or powder form. 70% PVDF coating: Most durable coating to ensure long life of building project. Best protection against color fade and chalk, cyclic corrosion, pollutants, corrosion, and other harsh conditions.

70% PVDF Used around the world on exteriors of high profile projects. Trusted and known in the industry for best use on monumental projects that need exterior durability to harsh conditions and long life. Applications include, but are not limited to: Curtain walls Monumental window wall systems Louvers Sun shades Entry systems. Commonly uses earth tone colors. Two coat system consisting of a flash primer and color coat. Solar reflective pigments introduced within last several years.

Metallic and Pearlescent Effects Metal flake based and solar reflective pigments may be available. 3 coat system consisting of: Primer Topcoat Clear coat Pearlescent (mica) coatings are man-made (non-metallic) flake. Best technology for color consistency and repeatability. 2 coat system consisting of: Primer Mica top coat Solar reflective pigments may be available.

Bright and Exotic Colors 3 coat systems comprised of a: Primer Color coat Clear coat The bright pigmentation requires a clear coat for exterior durability to meet high industry specifications.

AAMA 2604 Coatings that meet AAMA 2604 specification are very functional and ideal for projects that do not need to meet highest industry specifications, but still require good durability for harsh conditions. 50% PVDF containing products may provide a harder surface than a 70% PVDF product line due to a lower PVDF and a higher acrylic content. 50% PVDF resin systems offer good resistance to chalking and fading.

AAMA 2604 These coatings provide hard, durable surfaces ideal for high traffic areas such as: Interiors Store front entry systems Residential windows Low rise commercial Condominium projects All 50% PVDF coatings are a 2 coat system similar to the typical, standard 70% PVDF system. Mainly available in an earth tone color range, although pearlescent systems available and widely used in market place.

AAMA 2603 Voluntary Specification Performance Requirements for Pigmented Organic Coatings and Aluminum Extrusions and Panels Coatings that meet AAMA 2603 specifications are: PVDF/acrylic blends High solid polyesters, or Conventional acrylics Perform extremely well for hardness and weatherability. UV can penetrate glass and breakdown lesser performing coatings. PVDF/acrylic blends are the highest performing products in 2603 specification. Polyester resin systems are compliant coatings that are flexible, high solid, with a low VOC content.

AAMA 2603 Acrylic resin systems are noncompliant coatings with low solids and higher VOC content. Polyester and acrylic coatings create extremely hard resin systems. Polyester and acrylic resin systems are usually used for: Non-commercial projects Interior application for monumental projects AAMA 2603 coatings are a 1 coat system (direct to metal coatings), and available in standard and bright colors.

AAMA Summary Coatings are used to protect the substrate from deterioration. Possible causes of a coating failure include: Oxidation of binder due to UV exposure. Degradation/oxidation of the pigment. Reaction of pigment or etching of surface with atmospheric pollutants, dirt, and wind-blown sand abrasion. Using the proper coating system will protect the overall system for the life of the project. PVDF coatings used for long life expectancy. PVDF coatings used for consistent color with minimal fade and chalk. Polyesters and acrylics are harder. Ideal for low UV environments and interiors.

Summary Color has a profound effect on the human experience users of the built environment. Architects should use color effectively to create more user-supportive environments through the educated application of color, whether in an institutional, commercial or industrial setting. High performance architectural coatings are a means to this end, but it is important to select the appropriate color for a specific project, taking into consideration intended use and environmental concerns. The pigment component in any formulation can enhance or degrade the overall performance of the protective color coating and it is very important to choose correctly between inorganic and organic pigments, as they have very different aesthetic and performance properties. Paying attention to ASTM testing and AAMA specifications for certain architectural coating technologies will help architects to specify the correct pigments for optimal form and function in a project.

Thank You Thank you for your interest in Color Matters The Relationship Between Color and Pigments in Architectural Coatings. Please contact Valspar with any questions related to the information presented within this program.