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RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT OF LOW-VOC WOOD COATINGS
Citation:
Huang, E. RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT OF LOW-VOC WOOD COATINGS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/R-95/160 (NTIS PB96-121520), 1995.
Impact/Purpose:
information
Description:
The report discusses a project, cofunded by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the U.S. EPA, to develop a new, low volatile organic compound (VOC) wood coating. Traditional wood furniture coating technologies contain organic solvents which become air pollutants as the coating cures; mitigation by add-on control devices would be energy intensive. Air emissions can be reduced through the pollution prevention approach of shifting to low-VOC coatings, avoiding the energy penalty. This project evaluated a new low-VOC wood coating technology (a two-component, water-based epoxy) by determining its performance characteristics, conducting application and emissions testing, and assessing the cost benefits for energy conservation and air pollution reduction. The composition of the basic epoxy polymer was varied in combination with several curing agents. The resulting top coat was as good as, or better than, other low-VOC, waterborne wood furniture top coats for adhesion, gloss value, dry time, hardness, level of solvents, and chemical and stain resistance. The VOC content of the clear and the white pigmented top coats was less than 10 g/L. The cost of this low-VOC wood coating is comparable to that of other low-VOC coatings. Improved dry times were identified as being critical for product improvement. A marketing plan was developed.