Waterborne paints reduce VOC emissions and worker exposure to hazardous air pollutants. These paints can also reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated, depending on the type of paint used. Since waterborne coatings do not meet the requirements for solvent resistance and temperature as required for aerospace applications, these coatings are recommended by the Air Force for non-aerospace applications. The following is a description of nationally stock-listed latex paints:

1. Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint: These paints are suitable for use on concrete, masonry, stucco, and wood. They can also be used for interior applications and may be applied by spray, brush, or roller. They dry to the touch in ten minutes and dry hard in two hours. Exterior acrylic latex paints are non-toxic and have a maximum volatile organic compound (VOC) content of 250 grams per liter.
   
   
2. Concrete Floor Sealer/Finisher: Concrete floor sealer/finisher is a resin-based, water emulsion sealing and finishing compound for use on cured and uncured concrete floors. It may also be used on other masonry, linoleum, rubber tile, magnesite, and troweled asphalt and is applied by flooding and spreading. The typical VOC content is 250 grams per liter.
   
   
3. Traffic and Airfield Marking Paint: This paint is water-borne, is 100 percent acrylic, and is suitable for application on traffic bearing surfaces such as Portland cement concrete, bituminous cement concrete, asphalt, tar, and previously painted areas of those surfaces. These paints are low VOC, and lead and chromate-free.
   
   
4. Latex Stain: Latex stain is intended for new or previously stained exterior wood surfaces. It dries hard in one hour and has a VOC content of 250 grams per liter.
   
   
5. Acrylic Enamel: Intended for use on exterior primed metal, concrete, masonry, and wood, acrylic enamel can be used for interior applications as well. These paints are lead-free, hexavalent chromate-free, mercury-free, and have a maximum VOC content of 200 grams per liter.
   
   
6. Low VOC Aerosol Paint: Low VOC aerosol paint is fast-drying, general purpose interior/exterior enamel. It can be applied to metal, wood, plaster, masonry, stone, glass, leather, fiber or previously painted surfaces.
   
   
7. Recycled Latex Paint: These paints contain a minimum of 50 percent post-consumer waste and are intended for use on interior or exterior wallboard, concrete, stucco, masonry, and wood. They may be applied by spray, brush, or roller, and have a maximum VOC content of 250 grams per liter.
   
   
8. Semigloss Paint, Water-Borne for Metal Surfaces: Acrylic or modified acrylic topcoat paint is suitable for use on exterior or interior metal surfaces in all non-marine environments. Lead and chromate-free, this paint has a maximum VOC content of 250 grams per liter.
   
   
9. Water-Borne Metal Primer: This acrylic primer can be used on exterior or interior metal surfaces in all non-marine environments. It has a maximum VOC content of 250 grams per liter.
   
   
10. Stencil Paint: Water-emulsion paint is intended for markings and for obliterating markings on wood and fiberboard containers. It is non-flammable, brush applied, and has a maximum VOC content of 250 grams per liter.
    
    
11. Water Reducible Epoxy Primer: A corrosion-inhibiting primer, this coating is intended for use on clean, chemically pretreated metal surfaces where exposure to lead or chromate pigments is prohibited. Compatible with chemical agent resistant aliphatic polyurethane topcoats, it is intended for spray application and has a maximum VOC content of 340 grams per liter.
    
    
12. Water-Borne Epoxy Coating Kits: Formulated for use on wood and concrete floors, these coatings are water-based, non-flammable, non-toxic, and resistant to brake fluid, petroleum-based agents, jet fuel, caustic compounds, and most acids up to a 20 percent concentration. The coating may be applied by spray, brush or roller, and has a maximum VOC content of 168 grams per liter.
    

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved.

Waterborne coating material conducts high voltage electricity much more readily than solvent-based material. As a result, the electrostatics of a waterborne system will only work if all wetted equipment is isolated from potential grounds. Three methods can be used to avoid grounding out the electrostatics in a waterborne system: (1) isolate the entire paint system from electrical grounds; (2) isolate a small part of the wetted system with a voltage blocking device; and (3) indirectly charge the paint particles away from any of the wetted equipment. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and should be evaluated for the specific application. The use of a voltage blocking device at each atomizer is often the most cost-effective method.

Waterborne paints may also contain other solvents, such as butoxyethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and sec-butyl alcohol. These solvents have occupational exposure limits established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and/or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.

• VOC emissions are significantly reduced.
• Waterborne paints are generally easier to apply and clean up.
• Good to excellent surface properties including gloss, rub resistance, anti-sealing effect, and non-yellowing film.
• Some waterborne paints allow overspray to be recovered and recycled, effectively increasing transfer efficiency.
• Disposal requirements for waterborne paint waste may be reduced, depending on local requirements and/or waste quantities.
• Dried waterborne paint waste may be disposed in landfills as non-hazardous waste.
• Health and safety requirements for workers are significantly reduced or eliminated.

• May have lower chemical and solvent resistance.
• Reduced temperature resistance.
• Waterborne coatings are sensitive to humidity. Low humidity can cause coatings to dry extremely fast, creating craters in the final film. High humidity can cause very slow drying times, resulting in sagging.
• Quality of application is dependent on surface cleanliness. The water’s high surface tension prevents the wetting of some surfaces and causes poor coating flow characteristics. Surfaces with grease and other contaminants are especially susceptible to poor coating.
• Emulsion coatings have poor penetration and adhesion properties on porous surfaces, e.g. wood. Emulsion coatings do not adhere well to old chalky surfaces.
• Lower abrasive resistance.
• Requires wetted equipment to be isolated from potential grounds.

Assumptions:

• Waterborne paint procurement cost: $20/gal.
• Solvent based paint procurement cost: $20/gal.
• Solvent procurement cost: $5/gal.
• Water usage cost: $1.94/1000 gal.
• Industrial wastewater disposal cost: $8.24/1000gal.
• Waste paint/solvent disposal cost: $1.25/lb./LI>
• Paint usage: 1,560 gal/year
• Solvent usage (solvent based paint application equipment cleaning): 156 gal./yr.
• Water usage (water based paint application equipment cleaning): 260 gal./yr.
• Waste paint/solvent generated: 1,000 lb./yr.
• Wastewater generated: 260 gal./yr.
• Labor for materials handling and operation for both methods are assumed to be comparable.

Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Waterborne Paint Application and Solvent Based Paint Application

Economic Analysis Summary

Annual Savings for Waterborne Paint Application: $2,027
Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $0
Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: Immediate

Click Here to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values. To return from the Active Spreadsheet, click the reverse arrow in the Tool Bar.

Technical Orders are the source of authority for all paints used on aerospace equipment by the Air Force. Only the waterborne epoxy is approved for use in T.O.1-1-8.

*There are multiple MSDSs for most NSNs.
The MSDS (if shown above) is only meant to serve as an example.

Sherwin Williams
7230 1/2 Woodrow Street
Irmo,  SC   29063
Phone: (803) 603-8699  Contact: Mr. Tim Creech