Our Essential Oils, and even more so our Carrier Oils, are used industrially in paint and varnish products.
Added to paints, stains, and varnishes, our natural oils not only help protect the surfaces being coated, but can favorably affect the elasticity, drying time, odor, and ease of application of the coatings.
While traditional industrial paint and varnish products rely on synthetic solvents, pigments, and resins, there's a growing interest in incorporating natural alternatives like essential and carrier oils. This shift is driven by several factors:
• Sustainability: Essential and carrier oils are derived from plant sources, making them a more eco-friendly, biodegradable option than petroleum-based chemicals.
• Health concerns: Some synthetic solvents emit harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can contribute to respiratory problems and other health issues. Natural oils offer a safer alternative.
• Unique properties: Certain essential and carrier oils possess beneficial properties that can enhance the performance of paint and varnish products.
In industrial paint and varnish applications, carrier oils are more widely used than essential oils. This is primarily due to the following factors:
• Functionality: Carrier oils offer a broader range of functionalities in paint and varnish formulations. They act as binders, plasticizers, waterproofing agents, penetrating agents, and dust inhibitors, significantly impacting the performance of the final product.
• Cost and availability: Carrier oils are generally more readily available and more cost-effective than essential oils, making them a more viable option for large-scale industrial applications.
Here's a closer look at the specific uses of carrier oils and essential oils in paint and varnish industrial applications:
Carrier Oils:
Binder:
Carrier oils like linseed oil, tung oil, and walnut oil act as binders in paint and varnish formulations, helping the pigments adhere to the surface. These natural oils offer superior durability and flexibility compared to some synthetic binders.
Plasticizer:
Carrier oils like castor oil and soybean oil can act as plasticizers, improving the flexibility and workability of paint and varnish products.
Waterproofing agent
Certain carrier oils, such as tung oil and walnut oil, exhibit natural waterproofing properties, enhancing the water resistance of painted surfaces.
Penetrating agent:
Carrier oils can penetrate deeply into wood and other porous surfaces, providing a better base for paint and varnish adhesion.
Dust inhibitor:
Some carrier oils, like mineral oil, help prevent dust particles from settling on painted surfaces during the drying process.
Examples of carrier oils used in the paint and varnish industry include linseed oil, tung oil, walnut oil, castor oil, and soybean oil.
Essential Oils:
Thinner and solvent
Essential oils like limonene (found in citrus peels) and d-limonene (extracted from pine needles) are effective solvents for thinning paints and varnishes. They offer a lower VOC profile and a pleasant aroma compared to synthetic options.
Antimicrobial agent:
Essential oils like tea tree oil and lemongrass oil have natural antimicrobial properties, which can help prevent mold and mildew growth on painted surfaces.
Biocide:
Certain essential oils, such as clove oil and cinnamon oil,exhibit biocidal activity against insects and pests, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides in paint formulations.
Colorant
Some essential oils, like turmeric and paprika oleoresin, possess natural pigments that can be used to color paints and varnishes, providing a more natural and vibrant alternative to synthetic dyes.
Fragrance:
Essential oils offer a wide range of natural fragrances that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of paint and varnish products, replacing artificial scents.
Examples of essential oils used in Paint and Varnish formulations include:
limonene, tea tree oil, clove oil, turmeric oleoresin.
Note that essential oils are highly volatile, which can lead to faster evaporation, and require adjustments in paint formulations.
Summary of usage of natural oils commonly used in paint and varnish formulations:
• Essential oils: Thinner, solvent, antimicrobial agent, biocide, colorant, fragrance.
o Limonene, tea tree oil, clove oil, turmeric oleoresin
• Carrier oils: Binder, plasticizer, waterproofing agent, penetrating agent, dust inhibitor.
o Linseed oil, tung oil, walnut oil, castor oil, soybean oil