In daily paint selection and application, people often encounter some seemingly simple but actually contain multiple technical problems. For example, when buying marine paint, industrial paint or home decoration paint, you often hear the two terms "oil-based paint" and "latex paint". However, many people are not clear about whether alkyd resin paint belongs to oil-based paint or latex paint. In fact, the definition, characteristics and application areas of alkyd resin paint are closely related to oil-based paint and latex paint, but what type of paint does it belong to? Today, we will answer this question through detailed analysis.
What is alkyd resin paint?
Alkyd resin paint, as a common type of paint, is mainly composed of alkyd resin and solvents, pigments and other components. Alkyd resin itself is a polymer generated by the reaction of a variety of different raw materials, mainly the chemical reaction product of fatty acids and diols, monomeric acids or monomeric alcohols. It has strong adhesion, good weather resistance and high gloss, so it is widely used in the coating of wood, metal, ships, machinery and other surfaces.
Alkyd paint uses solvents to adjust the viscosity of the paint so that it can form a uniform coating on different surfaces. Unlike water-based paint, the solvents used in alkyd paint are usually organic solvents, such as mineral oil, turpentine, xylene, etc. Therefore, this type of paint usually has a strong odor and volatility, a long drying time, and may have a certain impact on the environment.
What is oil-based paint and latex paint?
In order to understand which category alkyd paint belongs to, we need to first clarify what oil-based paint and latex paint are.
Oil-based paint:
Oil-based paint is a paint based on organic solvents. Its core component is usually oil or resin, and the solvent in the paint is volatile organic compound (VOC), which can help the paint maintain fluidity and viscosity. The characteristics of oil-based paint include:
● Long drying time: Due to the presence of volatile solvents, the drying time of oil-based paint is relatively slow.
● Strong odor: Organic solvents emit a strong odor when they evaporate, which may affect indoor air quality.
● Good durability: Oil-based paint coatings are usually hard and wear-resistant, and have good UV resistance and water resistance.
● Wide range of applications: Oil-based paint is widely used in wood, metal, ships and other fields.
Latex paint:
Latex paint is a water-based paint whose main components are water, emulsion and pigment. It usually does not require the use of organic solvents, so the content of volatile organic compounds is very low. The characteristics of latex paint include:
● Fast drying speed: The volatile component of water-based paint is mainly water, and the drying speed is relatively fast.
● Small odor: Since it does not contain organic solvents, the odor of latex paint is relatively light and pollutes indoor air less.
● Good environmental protection: The VOC content of latex paint is low and more in line with environmental protection requirements.
● Suitable for indoor use: Latex paint is mainly used for indoor wall, ceiling and other coatings, and is suitable for use in general environments.
Classification of alkyd resin paint: oil paint or latex paint?
From the above definition, it can be seen that alkyd resin paint has some similarities with oil paint, but its properties are essentially different from those of latex paint. Alkyd resin paint is definitely not classified as latex paint, it is usually classified as oil-based paint. The specific reasons can be analyzed from the following aspects:
Use of solvents
The biggest feature of oil-based paint is the use of organic solvents, and alkyd resin paint also uses organic solvents to adjust the viscosity and extend the working time of the paint. Therefore, the main components of alkyd resin paint and oil-based paint are similar, both are based on a mixture of oil or resin and organic solvents. In contrast, latex paint is completely water-soluble and uses water instead of organic solvents as solvents, which makes alkyd resin paint clearly different from latex paint.
Paint drying method
The drying of oil-based paint mainly depends on the volatilization of solvents, and alkyd resin paint is the same. It is necessary to wait for the solvent to evaporate to form a hard coating. Therefore, the drying time of alkyd resin paint is relatively long, which is very similar to the drying method of oil-based paint. Latex paint dries by evaporation of water, and the drying process is much faster.
Odor and environmental protection
Because of the use of organic solvents, oil-based paint has a higher concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a stronger odor, which may affect air quality. Alkyd resin paint also has a strong odor and emits a large amount of volatile organic compounds, so good ventilation conditions are required when using it. Latex paint uses water as a solvent and has almost no odor, which has little impact on air quality and meets environmental protection standards.
Use scenarios and durability
Alkyd resin paint and oil-based paint have strong durability and weather resistance. They are suitable for areas that require high durability and UV resistance and water resistance, such as metal surfaces, machinery and equipment, ships, etc. Latex paint has poor durability and UV resistance, and is usually used for indoor wall painting, and is not suitable for applications exposed to outdoor or extreme climate conditions.
Coating quality and surface gloss
Alkyd resin paint can usually form a very smooth and high-gloss coating, which is consistent with the characteristics of oil-based paint. Latex paint is mostly used for coatings with rougher surfaces, with lower gloss and softer texture.
What are the application areas of alkyd resin paint?
Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, wear resistance, gloss and adhesion, alkyd resin paint is widely used in many industries. Here are some common application areas:
Marine coatings
Alkyd resin paint is often used for the coating of ships, hulls and other marine facilities. It has strong anti-corrosion properties and can effectively prevent seawater from eroding the hull and extend the service life of the ship.
Metallic coatings
Alkyd resin paint is often used for anti-corrosion coating of metal surfaces and is widely used in mechanical equipment, pipelines, storage tanks and other fields. It can provide a strong protective film to resist external wear, corrosion and chemical erosion.
Wood coatings
Alkyd resin paint is also suitable for wood surface coating, especially in outdoor furniture, building facades and other places that require good waterproofness and durability. It can effectively prevent wood from being eroded by rain, sunlight and other factors.
Industrial equipment
Alkyd resin paint is also widely used in industrial equipment, storage facilities and other fields to improve the equipment's anti-corrosion, anti-oxidation and weather resistance.
Decorative coatings
Alkyd resin paint is also commonly used in various decorative coatings, such as automobile and furniture coatings, due to its high gloss and beautiful coating effect.
Huaren Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. is a leading China-based factory specializing in the production of industrial paints and resins. With 30+ production lines and over 20,000 tons of annual output, we are well-positioned to supply high-quality coatings to buyers worldwide. Our product range includes heavy-duty anti-corrosion paints, alkyd coatings, and water-based industrial paints designed for long-lasting protection and performance. Whether you're sourcing materials for petrochemical materials facilities, steel structures, or shipbuilding projects, our factory ensures high standards, low prices, and tailored solutions. As a manufacturer with decades of experience, we understand the importance of competitive quotes, flexible purchasing options, and reliable customer support. With a strong presence in markets such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Europe, Huaren Chemical is your ideal partner for wholesale industrial coatings and customized orders.
