TABLE OF CONTENTS The analytical approach to deformulation of paint and coatings depends largely on the form in which the specimen occurs. Paint and coatings are found in the solid dry films and liquid forms. Components in a liquid paint specimen are separated prior to examination using centrifugation as shown in Fig. 1.2; and components comprising a solid paint film are not so easily separated. So, a different analytical approach is taken for solid specimens including surface analysis, and methods to separate the pigments/fillers from the vehicle followed by analysis ofeach. Regardless of the form in which a paint specimen is found, a method can be found to deformulate it. An extensive review of analytical methods and equipment is presented in Chapters 1 3, and the reader should refer to these chapters for detailed information when an analytical method or instrument is mentioned.
Sources of solid specimens of paint are shown in Fig. 6.1. These include paint chips from automobiles and houses. Although a liquid paint specimen is far preferable, a solid paint specimen can be analyzed using the basic scheme for analysis in Fig. 6.2. Paint and coatings are pigmented/filled up to about 35% by volume of the dry film. A liquid sample is always preferable because individual components can be separated, whereas solid specimens require significant sample preparation before individual components can be separated.
