The times of total shortages gave way to an abundance of assortment in all product groups. The construction industry was no exception. The variety of finishing materials is so great that even specialists with many years of experience are lost from the multitude of modern materials for construction and repair. What can we say about amateur builders who are faced with the task of regular or unscheduled repairs? To help you get a little familiar with modern terminology, your faithful assistant, the site about differences TheDifference.ru, will analyze today the difference between paint and enamel.
Definition
Under paint, in the broadest sense of the word, means a material that is used to give color to various objects, as well as a material for painting. Watercolors and oil paints, hair dyes, coloring compositions for changing the color of leather goods... The list goes on for a long time.
Enamel is the thinnest layer of glass that is applied to the surface and subjected to high-temperature processing. Enameling (application of enamel) is used in painting, jewelry, and is also used to protect metal surfaces from corrosion.
We will be interested not so much in paints in general, as in paints that can be used in construction. Including enamel paints, which are often called enamels (although, strictly speaking, enamel paints are not enamel).
Paints in construction and repair work
Any paint is a complex system, which must include a binder base, coloring pigments, as well as fillers and special additives that give the material the necessary performance properties.
The bonding base is a film-forming substance due to which the paint layer "sticks" to the painted surface and hardens, forming a sufficiently strong colored layer with certain properties (gloss, resistance to temperature and moisture, etc.)
In order for a high-viscosity paint and varnish material to acquire a consistency that is convenient for application, solvents must be present in the paint composition.
Classification of paints is a rather complicated process. One of the principles of gradation is the binder. According to this principle, oil, water-dispersion, mineral paints are distinguished. Enamel paints (enamel) are paints and varnishes obtained by grinding dry pigment substances with varnishes. The type of enamel depends on the type of varnish that is used in its preparation (alcohol, alkyd, epoxy, polyurethane, oil, etc.)
Properties
not at all correct) stereotype: the enamel on the surface shines, and the paint covers the object with a matte colored layer. The texture of the painted layer depends not only on the film-forming substance, but also on other components of the paint and varnish material. Therefore, the paint may turn out to be much "brighter" than enamel. This is not incredible.
Due to the obligatory presence of varnish in enamel paint, this paintwork material has a characteristic, rather pungent odor. While some types of paints (in particular, water-based paints) may not smell at all or have a faint, even pleasant scent.
If we talk about the protective properties of paints, then enamel ones hold the palm in comparison with other types of paints. Despite the fact that the enamel is applied in a thinner layer, it better protects the surface from external factors such as humidity, temperature, UV radiation, etc.
Conclusions TheDifference.ru
- Paint is a broader concept.
- Enamel in the original meaning of the word does not apply to paints, but enamel paint, which is often understood as enamel, is a certain type of paints and varnishes, a special case of paints for construction and repair work.
- The texture of the surface does not depend on the material used to form the coating (paint or enamel), but on the composition of a particular paintwork material. This means that both enamel and paint can form both matte and glossy coatings on the treated surface.
- Enamel paints have a strong, long-fading odor; paints may not have an odor.
- A layer of enamel gives the surface better protection.
