BINDERS -

The binder cements the pigment particles into a uniform paint film and also makes the paint adhere to the surface. The base material, known as the binder, is the film-forming ingredient that largely determines the performance characteristics of the coating.The nature and amount of binder determine most of the paint's performance properties -- washability, toughness, adhesion, and color retention. Acrylic polymers are the binder of choice in producing quality high-performance latex paints.

The binder imparts adhesion, binds the pigments together, and strongly influences such properties as gloss potential, exterior durability, flexibility, and toughness. Binders include synthetic or natural resins such as acrylics, polyurethanes, polyesters, melamine resins, epoxy, or oils. Binders are the one ingredient that is absolutely required. The binder is the part, which eventually solidifies to form the dried paint film. The additives can make the paint flow better, reduce bubbles, control consistency, and control thickness, transparency, sheen, drying time, absorption rate.