Philippine E-Journals

Potential of Coconut Oil as a Based on Enamel Paint

Lina D. Dela Cruz

 

Abstract:

Paints, which are commonly called, surface coatings, and functions to decorate and protect the substrate used in almost all surfaces. Paints are usually formulated with vehicle using soya, linseed or seaflower oil.

Virgin coconut oil, obtained from the Philippine coconut palm cocos mucifera, was investigated as a potential vehicle in the production of flatwall enamel. Formulation was identified using virgin coconut oil as substitute and the paint mix was evaluated against standard paint properties.

The density of the paint mix, 5.7 kg/gal is comparable to paint with soya oil. Density is a measure of pigment to vehicle ratio. The results showed that coconut oil blended properly with other materials in the paint formulation.

Viscosity, or paint fluidity was obtained using Krebs Stormer viscometer. Viscosity of the experimental paint mix is 78 KU (Kreb Unit) compared to 86 KU of standard paints, but the paint mix is thick enough to lay an adequate film of wet paint and stayed on brush during application.

Test results of the paint mix using coconut oil showed less scrub resistance data, 650 cycles compared to 1050 of paint with soya oil. Vehicle pigment ratio at 41:59 in the formula affects the resistance of paint abrasion. Further formulation can be tried using modified pigment vehicle ratio to improve abrasion.

Evaluation of acceptability by end users was done through survey using respondents to determine actual performance of paint using virgin coconut oil. 72% rated the ease of applying the paint mix as acceptable. 48% graded the hiding power as acceptable and 52% evaluated the rate of drying as acceptable.