EPiC database - Water-based paint

This material is part of the free Environmental Performance in Construction (EPiC) Database. The EPiC Database contains embodied environmental flow coefficients for 250+ construction materials using a comprehensive hybrid life cycle inventory approach.<br><br>Paint is used to protect surfaces from moisture, UV and wear. It can protective coating for timber, metals, plastics and plaster products. There are two main types of paint: water-based paint (including waterborne acrylics, and acrylic latex paints) and solvent-based paint (also known as alkyd or oil-based enamel paints).<br><br>Paint is produced by combining resin, solvents, pigment, and additives. Resins are used to bind together the ingredients. For water-based paint these include: poly vinyl acetate, butyl methacrylate and methyl. Solvents such as water and mineral turpentine are used to dilute and thin the paint. Pigments are added to create colour and sheen, and can include calcium carbonate, talc, oxides and mica amongst others. Other additives are included to reduce drying time and give the paint particular properties. <br><br>Water-based paints have several advantages over oil-based alternatives. They are excellent for external applications, and have high tolerance to UV. They have a low odour, are easy to clean, and are less hazardous to dispose of. They also have better flexibility, dry faster, and are generally more environmentally friendly due to the low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are commonly found in solvent-based paints. Paints with high levels of VOCs are toxic to the environment, have a harsh odour and can be dangerous to inhale.

本材料隶属于免费的建筑环境性能（Environmental Performance in Construction, EPiC）数据库。该数据库采用全面的混合生命周期清单方法，收录了250余种建筑材料的隐含环境流系数。

涂料用于保护基材免受潮气、紫外线及磨损侵害，可作为木材、金属、塑料与石膏制品的防护涂层。涂料主要分为两大类：水性涂料（包括水性丙烯酸涂料及丙烯酸乳胶涂料）与溶剂型涂料（又称醇酸涂料或油性磁漆）。

涂料通过树脂、溶剂、颜料与添加剂复配制备而成。树脂用于将各组分粘结固化。水性涂料所用树脂包括聚醋酸乙烯酯、甲基丙烯酸丁酯及甲基类树脂。溶剂（如水与矿物松节油）用于稀释涂料以调节其施工稠度。颜料用于赋予涂料色彩与光泽，常见种类包括碳酸钙、滑石粉、金属氧化物及云母等。此外还会添加其他助剂以缩短干燥时间，并赋予涂料特定应用性能。

相较于油性涂料，水性涂料具备多项显著优势：其适配户外涂装场景，且抗紫外线性能优异；气味低、易清洁，废弃物处置的环境危害性更低；同时柔韧性更佳、干燥速度更快，且因挥发性有机化合物（volatile organic compounds, VOCs）含量较低，整体更具环境友好性——而溶剂型涂料中通常含有大量VOCs。高VOC含量的涂料会对环境产生毒害，气味刺鼻且吸入后存在健康风险。