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...A brief history of
paint
 The
ICI Dulux Paint Library CD provides a wealth of information
on the history of coatings and paint, starting with the prehistoric
cave painters. Throughout history the embellishment of our
surroundings has been an important facet of human existence.
The Egyptians used gum Arabic with egg white, gelatine and
waxes to bind pigments such as ores, gold and charcoal and
they were possibly the first civilisation to create synthetic
pigments: Egyptian blue was made by heating copper with sand
and soda.
Though the Greeks and Romans copied this method they also
increased the range of pigments and Pliny the Elder records
the use of several different lead compounds, verdigris and
colours derived from wood.
Persian, Chinese and Japanese sources all show extensive
knowledge of pigments with exotic sounding cinnabar, azurite,
malachite, lapis lazuli and indigo all being employed. The
Chinese and Japanese also used the sap of a 'Varnish Tree'
(Rhus vernicifera) which when dried, formed a lacquer.
American Indians derived colour from fungi and earth ores
and Mayans used natural organic pigments including the juice
of plants, natural resin and latex.
In Medieval Europe oil-based varnish slowly came into use,
although mostly on paintings rather than as a protective coating,
during this era oleoresinour technology developed and by the
17th century oil based varnish was being used on ships and
as caulking compounds. But it was during the period of the
Industrial Revolution that paint and varnish technology began
to assume the features we would recognise today.
Around 1918 Titanium Dioxide was introduced into paint manufacturing
and today Dulux use several grades across its range of Decorative
products. Recent decades have seen a significant increase
in the use of water-borne paints based on polymeric dispersions,
frequently referred to as emulsion paints.
In 1988 the first decorative paints were launched by ICI
on Non-Aqueous Dispersion a patented new binder designed to
give high performance in exterior products, combining the
flexibility of acrylics with the penetration of solvents.
Developments continue at a brisk pace with the advantage
of more customer choice. While today's paints and coatings
are far removed from those of pre-history, one certainty remains;
it is that no two manufacturers' products will be the same.
For more information visit www.duluxtrade.co.uk
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