Enamel Paint Research Articles

Enamel-based mark performance for marking Chinese mystery snail Bellamya chinensis

The exoskeleton of gastropods provides a convenient surface for carrying marks, and in the interest of improving future marking methods our laboratory assessed the performance of an enamel paint. The endurance of the paint was also compared to other marking methods assessed in the past. We marked the shells of 30 adult Chinese mystery snails Bellamya chinensis and held them in an aquarium for 181 days. We observed no complete degradation of any enamel-paint mark during the 181 days. The enamel-paint mark was superior to a nail-polish mark, which lasted a median of 100 days. Enamel-paint marks also have a lower rate of loss (0.00 month -1 181 days) than plastic bee tags (0.01 month -1 , 57 days), gouache paint (0.07 month -1 , 18.5 days), or car body paint from studies found in scientific literature. Legibility of enamelpaint marks had a median lifetime of 102 days. The use of enamel paint on the shells of gastropods is a viable option for studies lasting up to 6 months. Furthermore, visits to a capture-mark-recapture site 1 year after application of enamel-paint marks on B. chinensis shells produced several individuals on which the enamel paint was still visible, although further testing is required to clarify durability over longer periods.

“Picasso in The Metropolitan Museum of Art”: An Investigation of Materials and Techniques

The 2010 exhibition “Picasso in The Metropolitan Museum of Art” presented the unparalleled opportunity to examine the working methods and materials of Pablo Picasso's paintings in the museum's collection, 34 works in total, covering a span of over 60 years. All paintings were comprehensively examined and studied using infrared reflectography and x-ray radiography. The paintings with paint surfaces that visually presented qualities associated with alkyd, enamel, or house paints were analyzed. Four paintings presenting such significant characteristics emerged from the group and are the focus of this study. Pigment and binding media analyses indicated the possible use of non-traditional artist's paints but not necessarily house, alkyd, or enamel paints. Picasso's infinite creativity was reflected in his experimental nature with materials. Specifically, his manipulation and alteration of the oil medium, which directly impacted the appearance and handling properties of the paint, must be taken into account. Ultimately, the results of this study illustrate the difficulty in identifying house, boat, or other non-traditional artist's paints by visual examination alone and the challenges of their analytical characterization. Our analyses showed the presence of traditional artist's materials of the time period but did not definitively identify chemical markers of house or other non-traditional artist's paints.

Scientific Investigation of an Important Corpus of Picasso Paintings in Antibes: New Insights into Technique, Condition, and Chronological Sequence

The Musée Picasso in Antibes (France) houses a unique collection of 23 paintings and 44 works on paper by Pablo Picasso, completed during the fall of 1946 by the artist, working on the same premises occupied today by the Museum. Picasso painted with readily available materials including oleoresinous enamel paints, fibrocement, wood panels, paper sheets, and re-used canvases. In this paper the results of an extensive campaign of scientific analysis of 17 of these works with both non-invasive and micro-invasive techniques are described. The project elucidated the full palette of the paintings, dispelling myths about their execution solely with the renowned brand of enamel paint Ripolin. The effective combination of elemental and spectroscopic methods of analysis enabled fine discriminations among various types of white enamel paint used by Picasso in Antibes. Because the artist appeared to have used such paints in chronological sequence, the precise identification of the type of white paint present on each of the works allowed the assignment of revised dates to some of the undated paintings. Important new information on surface coatings of wax and modern polymeric varnishes, as well as the widespread presence of metal soaps including zinc oxalates, was also uncovered.

Lead Concentrations and Labeling of New Paint in Cameroon

In spite of the availability of substitutes for lead compounds used in paints, manufacturers continue to produce these paints for decorative and industrial applications. We report here on the concentration of lead in new paint sold in Cameroon and provide a summary of labeling practices on paints available in the country, based on a market survey. Investigators visited 76 retail and wholesale paint suppliers in Cameroon to collect information from paint product labels and to collect samples of paints to analyze for lead content. Only 8.5% of paints had labels identifying any of the ingredients, and none of the lead paints included any warning language. Based on a convenience sample (weighted to include multiple colors from the most common brands), 61 mostly enamel paints were purchased from retail outlets and analyzed for lead content (median: 2150 ppm; range: <21–500,000 ppm). Sixty-six percent of the new paint samples had concentrations exceeding the U.S. standard of 90 ppm total lead. All but one of the samples with lead concentrations greater than 90 ppm were also greater than 600 ppm. The largest manufacturer in the country—Seigneurie, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based company PPG—had significant lead concentrations in 9 out of 22 (41%) paints tested. There is an immediate need to adopt mandatory standards to limit the lead content of paint manufactured, imported, and sold in the country. To promote safer paint products we recommend the development of a third-party certification program for paints without added lead. These recommendations are consistent with the objectives of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint established under the auspices of the United Nations to address this problem on a global scale.

High-resolution fluorescence mapping of impurities in historical zinc oxide pigments: hard X-ray nanoprobe applications to the paints of Pablo Picasso

Here for the first time we describe the use of high resolution nanoprobe X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping for the analysis of artists’ paints, hierarchically complex materials typically composed of binder, pigments, fillers, and other additives. The work undertaken at the nanoprobe sought to obtain highly spatially resolved, highly sensitive mapping of metal impurities (Pb, Cd, Fe, and other metals) in submicron particles of zinc oxide pigments used in early 20th century artists’ tube paints and enamel paints, with particular emphasis on Ripolin, a popular brand of French house paint used extensively by Pablo Picasso and some of his contemporaries. Analysis revealed that the Zn oxide particles only contain a little Fe, proving that the highest quality Zn oxide pigment, free of Pb and Cd, was used for Ripolin house paints as well as artists’ paints. Nanoprobe XRF mapping also demonstrated that artists’ tube paints generally have more abundant fillers and additional whites (based on Pb, Ti, Ca) than Ripolin paints, which contain mostly pure zinc oxide. The chemical characterization of paints at the nanoscale opens the path to a better understanding of their fabrication and chemical reactivity.

Lead Content of Enamel Paints in Leading Paint Companies in Bangladesh

Lead (Pb) compounds have been historically used by paint manufacturers. Lead is added to paint to speed up drying, increase durability, maintain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. The study was carried out to determine the total lead content in enamel paint in major paint companies in Bangladesh. Twenty five enamel paint samples from 5 brands (5 colours in each brand) manufactured by the major players- Berger, Asian, Roxy, Pailac and Elite Paints were randomly purchased from various markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh during the months of January- April 2012. The paint samples were purchased in the sizes of 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml and 1 L depending upon the availability. Samples were analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer using Air-Acetylene flame at the wavelength of 217 nm, band pass 0.5 nm, measurement time 4 second, background correction -D₂ (prescribed by AA Spectrometers Methods Manual of Thermo Electron Corporation). Lead was found in all enamel paint samples tested. 96% (24 out of 25 samples) of the enamel paint samples did not meet the specification for lead content prescribed by US and China limit. The average concentration of lead in all enamel paint samples ranged from 55 to 114010 ppm. Highest (114010 ppm) concentration of lead was detected in Golden yellow of Robbialac Acrylic Distemper manufactured by Berger paints which is 1267 times higher than the US and China limit for new paints (90 ppm). Lowest (55 ppm) concentration of lead was detected in white brand of paints manufactured by Pailac paints. The average concentration of lead for yellow enamel paints of all the five brands was 75286 ppm followed by orange which was 54708.2 ppm, green 28926 ppm, black 14967.2 ppm and finally white enamel paint contained 357.4 ppm. Formulation of a national policy on paint manufacture and its proper implementation is inevitable to stop the use of lead in paints in Bangladesh.

Use of beeswax for repair of damaged dry human bones in anatomy

Background : Beehives are made up of wax, which are the natural glandular secretions of honeybees. One such huge beehive was incidentally noticed on the wall behind the Department of Anatomy, K.V.G. Medical College Sullia in 2012. The bees had already abandoned it and there were no bees even fluttering around. So we plucking it ensured that it was excised as a whole, instead of allowing it to get biodegraded. With assistance we got it to the Department. Objective : To study the architecture of this beehive and use of its wax to repair damaged dry human bones in the Department of Anatomy. Materials and Methods: Spirit lamp, spirit, Forceps, Cutting blades, quick fix, varnish, spatula and enamel paint were used for the study. Wax melted when heated at 62-65degree Celsius. Crude wax of the beehive was placed on the damaged bone by plucking a part of it. Then the bone was given a correct shape manually. Damaged bone part was repaired artistically using a hot spatula. Results : We could repair many damaged bones with this chunk of wax. Conclusion : This is a simple, cost effective, appropriate technique of bone repair in Anatomy. Regular maintenance of bones will prevent its damage. Thus bones can be used for a long period which can ensure percolation of right information to students of Anatomy.

Repeatable self-healing of a microcapsule-type protective coating

Cinnamide moiety-containing polydimethylsiloxane (CA-PDMS) was prepared and used as a healing agent. The photo-cross-linking behavior of CA-PDMS was investigated by UV-vis and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Upon photo-irradiation, CA-PDMS generates viscoelastic substances which have intrinsic recoating (or self-healing) capability when scribed with a cutter blade. CA-PDMS was microencapsulated with a urea-formaldehyde polymer, and the mean diameter and size distribution of the microcapsules could be controlled by the agitation rate. The prepared microcapsules were integrated into a commercial enamel paint to create a self-healing coating. It was confirmed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that, when the self-healing coating is scribed, the healing agent is released from ruptured microcapsules and fills the scribed region. The scribed self-healing coating was photo-irradiated to induce photo-cross-linking of the released CA-PDMS. SEM imaging provided visual evidence that, when the scribed and healed region is re-scribed, repeated self-healing is accomplished. It was successfully demonstrated by anticorrosion and electrochemical tests that the CA-PDMS-based self-healing coating system has repeatable self-healing capability. Our self-healing coating is the first example of microcapsule-type repeatable self-healing system, and offers the advantages of simple, inexpensive, practical healing.

Evaluation of Marking Techniques, Mark Retention, and Mortality Due to Marking of Burying Beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

ABSTRACT The American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus Olivier, was listed as an endangered species in 1989 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The recovery plan outlines the need for self-sustaining populations with at least 500 individuals, which requires mark and recapture sampling methods for measurement. To estimate populations, a marking technique must be used that will stay intact during the study and not adversely affect the beetle's behavior. Four marking techniques (bee tags, enamel paint, elytron-clipping, and elytron-cauterizing) have been used in studies involving the marking of N. americanus studies. In our study, we used two surrogate species, Nicrophorus marginatus F. and Nicrophorus orbicollis Say, to test these different marking techniques. There were no significant differences in mortality rates among the four techniques for mature or teneral beetles. Bee tags had a significantly higher retention rate than paint in day-to-day activities and during reproductive cycles. In a fiel...

Preferences by Rhagoletis indifferens (Diptera, Tephritidae) for rectangles of various yellow colours and fluorescence

AbstractSticky rectangle traps of various yellow colours and fluorescence made of cardboard were field tested against western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran, in paired trap preference experiments in Washington state. In a first experiment that involved comparisons of Alpha Scents (proprietary paint), Fluorescent Yellow (aerosol paint), Saffron Thread and Neon Light (semi‐gloss enamel paints) traps at two sites, the best performing trap was the Saffron Thread trap. In a second experiment comparing Citrus Splash (semi‐gloss enamel paint) with Alpha Scents and with Macaw and Lemon Zest (both semi‐gloss enamel paints) traps at a third site, the Citrus Splash trap outperformed the Alpha Scents trap. The Citrus Splash trap did not differ statistically from Saffron Thread and Lemon Zest traps, even though it caught 51% more flies than the Lemon Zest trap. The Alpha Scents trap caught significantly more non‐target Diptera than Fluorescent Yellow, Neon Light and Citrus Splash traps at two of three trap sites where non‐target Diptera populations were relatively high and overall it appeared less selective than the Citrus Splash trap. Results suggest that sticky rectangle traps painted semi‐gloss enamel Saffron Thread or Citrus Splash with low fluorescence could be highly useful for detecting R. indifferens.

Alterações cutâneas no Kwashiorkor: relato de caso de um homem adulto após cirurgia abdominal

Kwashiorkor is a type of protein-energy malnutrition where diet protein deficit is found, in spite of appropriate caloric intake. Cutaneous manifestations include xerosis, with abnormally dry skin that has a flaking enamel paint aspect, a typical red to gray-white hair color, the "flag sign" and more evident edema in lower limbs and face, giving it a full moon appearance. This article reports a case of a male adult patient who had undergone Whipple surgery for treatment of chronic pancreatitis associated with pseudotumor of the pancreatic head that progressed to cutaneous manifestations of kwashiorkor after pulmonary tuberculosis.

Lead levels in new residential enamel paints in Taipei, Taiwan and comparison with those in mainland China

Five brands of new enamel household paints from Taiwan were analyzed: two multi-nationals and three local. The median lead concentration of 2574 parts per million (ppm) dry weight was more than 30 times the current US standard of 90 ppm for new paints and was more than 4 times the former standard of 600 ppm. Lead levels ranged from below detection (4.5 ppm) to 158,000 ppm. Lead concentrations varied significantly by color of paint and paint brand but not by price per liter. Fifty-six percent of Taiwan paints had lead levels above the 90 ppm US limit. One of the multi-national brands and two of the local brands had high levels of lead with the averages ranging from 12,890 to 53,640 ppm. Concentrations were less than 90 ppm in each of the samples from the other two brands. One of the two multi-national paint brands was imported as the house brand for its big box store in Taipei and had lead levels above 600 ppm in four of five samples. Comparison of the lead concentrations of paints from Taiwan with those that we previously analyzed from mainland China revealed higher levels in Taiwan where the median level was 2574 ppm compared to 46 ppm in mainland China.

Homogeneity, Composition and Deterioration of Window Glass Fragments and Paint Layers from Two Seventeenth-Century Stained Glass Windows Created by Jan de Caumont (∼1580–1659)

During the conservation of two stained glass windows by Jan de Caumont at the Abbey 't Park (Heverlee, Leuven, Belgium) small fragments were removed from eight panes for analysis. Electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray sprectroscopy (SEM-EDX) was used to study the microstructure of several materials in these windows, and to perform quantitative analysis of the homogeneous materials. According to the SEM-EDX analyses, the glass appeared to be homogeneous. The deteriorated regions found in the fragments contained cracks, have a fractal appearance with stratifications of 2 μm in width and contained small islands of original unleached glass. Unfortunately, SEM-EDX did not allow a reliable chemical analysis of the different stratified layers due to the limitation in lateral resolution. The vitreous paint layer on one of the fragments consisted of lead glass surrounding many SiO2 and Fe2O3 particles. The green-blue and blue enamel paint layers were made with a low-melting SiO2-K2O-PbO glass. The colouring substance for the green-blue enamel paint layer was brass (i.e. an alloy of Cu and Zn), while for the blue enamel paint layer a substance known as saffre (a roasted sulphide ore rich in cobalt) was used. The compositions of the window glass fragments were all similar and consisted of high lime–low alkali (HLLA) glass (SiO2-K2O-CaO).

A Magnetic Actuator for Fiber-Optic Applications

Optical fibers coated with various non-magnetized ferromagnetic materials and actuated by external magnetic fields were designed and characterized to demonstrate the feasibility for remote scanning. Cobalt, iron, nickel, and samarium-cobalt powders were used to enable the actuation. Silica optical fibers were coated with a mixture of 70% enamel paint and 30% various ferromagnetic materials. The static and dynamic measurements were preformed under the remote control of an electromagnet. Experiments with different ferromagnetic materials and different suspended fiber lengths of 3.2 cm, 4.2 cm, 5.2 cm, 6.2 cm, and 7.2 cm were performed to compare with theory. The static displacements, dynamic displacements and resonant frequencies of the actuation were measured.

Lead levels in new enamel household paints from Asia, Africa and South America

In 2006 a report on the analysis for lead in 80 new residential paints from four countries in Asia revealed high levels in three of the countries (China, India and Malaysia) and low levels in a fourth country (Singapore) where a lead in paint regulation was enforced. The authors warned of the possible export of lead-painted consumer products to the United States and other countries and the dangers the lead paint represented to children in the countries where it was available for purchase. The need for a worldwide ban on the use of lead in paints was emphasized to prevent an increase in exposure and disease from this very preventable environmental source. Since the earlier paper almost 300 additional new paint samples have been collected from the four initial countries plus 8 additional countries, three from Asia, three from Africa and two from South America. During the intervening time period two million toys and other items imported into the United States were recalled because the lead content exceeded the United States standard. High lead paints were detected in all 12 countries. The average lead concentration by country ranged from 6988 (Singapore) to 31,960ppm (Ecuador). One multinational company sold high lead paint in one country through January 2007 but sold low lead paint later in 2007 indicating that a major change to cease adding lead to their paints had occurred. However, the finding that almost one-third of the samples would meet the new United States standard for new paint of 90ppm, suggests that the technology is already available in at least 11 of the 12 countries to produce low lead enamel paints for domestic use. The need remains urgent to establish effective worldwide controls to prevent the needless poisoning of millions of children from this preventable exposure.

Enamels in stained glass windows: Preparation, chemical composition, microstructure and causes of deterioration

Stained glass windows incorporating dark blue and purple enamel paint layers are in some cases subject to severe degradation while others from the same period survived the ravages of time. A series of dark blue, green–blue and purple enamel glass paints from the same region (Northwestern Europe) and from the same period (16–early 20th centuries) has been studied by means of a combination of microscopic X-ray fluorescence analysis, electron probe micro analysis and transmission electron microscopy with the aim of better understanding the causes of the degradation. The chemical composition of the enamels diverges from the average chemical composition of window glass. Some of the compositions appear to be unstable, for example those with a high concentration of K 2O and a low content of CaO and PbO. In other cases, the deterioration of the paint layers was caused by the less than optimal vitrification of the enamel during the firing process. Recipes and chemical compositions indicate that glassmakers of the 16–17th century had full control over the color of the enamel glass paints they made. They mainly used three types of coloring agents, based on Co (dark blue), Mn (purple) and Cu (light-blue or green–blue) as coloring elements. Blue–purple enamel paints were obtained by mixing two different coloring agents. The coloring agent for red–purple enamel, introduced during the 19th century, was colloidal gold embedded in grains of lead glass.

Lead content in household paints in India

Lead and its compounds are used in paints not only to impart colour but also to make it durable, corrosion resistant and to improve drying. Adverse health impacts of lead especially on children have led countries to restrict or ban its use in paints. While U.S. and other developed countries instituted measures to limit the use of lead in paints, some developing countries including India have failed to regulate their lead content. The present study was undertaken to determine the levels of lead in new latex (water-based) and enamel paints (oil-based) intended for residential use in India. A total of 69 paint samples (38 latex and 31 enamel samples) from six of the most popular brands were analysed for lead concentrations. While all latex paint samples contained low levels of lead, (i.e., well below 600 ppm as regulated by United States' Consumer Products Safety Commission) the enamel paint samples of all but one brand contained significant concentrations of lead, ranging up to 140,000 ppm. In fact 84% of the enamel paints tested exceeded 600 ppm whereas only 38 % of all samples (including latex and enamel types) exceeded this regulatory level.

MEASUREMENT OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS EMISSION FACTORS FROM COATING MATERIALS BY USE OF A THREE LITERS CHAMBER

A 20 liters chamber which is standardized in JIS A 1901:2003 “Small chamber method - Determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds and aldehydes for building products” has been popularly used for measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission factors from coating materials. A 3 liters chamber which was newly developed for measurement of VOC emission factors from coating materials was evaluated and compared with the 20 liters chamber in the study. Air tightness, recovery and mass transfer coefficient of the 3 liters chamber were evaluated in accordance with JIS A 1901:2003. Further, correlation between VOC emission factors obtained by the 20 liters chamber method and the 3 liters chamber method was examined through measurement of acrylic enamel paint and a textured coating material.The results can be summarized as follows;1) Air tightness of the 3 liters chamber meets the requirement of ENV13419-1:1999 “Building products, Determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds - Part1: Emission test chamber method.”2) Recovery and mass transfer coefficient of the 3 liters chamber satisfy the requirements of JIS A 1901:2003.3) VOC emission factors obtained show high correlation between the 20 liters chamber method and the 3 liters chamber method.

Exposure to the Ripe Fruit of Tropical Almond Enhances the Mating Success of Male Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Exposure to the Ripe Fruit of Tropical Almond Enhances the Mating Success of Male Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Chemical Recycling of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

AbstractThis paper covers the recent research carried out by the authors on the chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) taken from post‐consumer soft‐drink bottles. The chemical recycling techniques used are critically reviewed and the authors' contribution is highlighted. Hydrolysis in either an alkaline or acid environment was employed in order to recover pure terephthalic acid monomer that could be repolymerized to form the polymer again. Alkaline hydrolysis was carried out in either an aqueous NaOH solution or in a non‐aqueous solution of KOH in methyl cellosolve. A phase‐transfer catalyst was introduced in alkaline hydrolysis, in order that the reaction takes place at atmospheric pressure and in mild experimental conditions. The reaction kinetics were thoroughly investigated, both experimentally and theoretically, using a simple, yet precise, kinetic model. Moreover, glycolysis was examined as an effective way for the production of secondary value‐added materials. The glycolysated PET products (oligomers) can be used as raw materials for the production of either unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) or methacrylated oligoesters (MO). UPR can subsequently be cured with styrene in ambient temperature to produce alkyd resins used as enamel paints or coatings. MO are potential monomers that can be cured either by UV irradiation or temperature to produce formulations used as coatings for wood surfaces, paints, or other applications. Thus, recycling of PET does not only serve as a partial solution to the solid‐waste problem, but also contributes to the conservation of raw petrochemical products and energy.magnified image