CHAPTER ONE

INRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Paint can be defined as a mixture of pigments, binders and solvent that forms a continuous film that can be decorative or protective. The combination of binder and volatile liquid is called the vehicle; it may be a solution or dispersion of the fine binder’s particles in a non-solvents. The term coating refers to an advanced or specialized paint designed to have a specific function pertaining more to protection rather than the aesthetics of the substrate. Coating encomprises varnishes, enamels, lacquers, plastisols and powder (Lowel, 1990).

However, the term paint is often used nonspecifically to cover all of these categories as though it were synonymous with coatings. When a liquid paint is applied to a surface, the volatile portion of the vehicle evaporates leaving the nonvolatile binder-pigment combination as residual film which may or may not require chemical conversion to an insoluble state. Small amount of additives are often included to improve application, pigment settling, drying characteristic and film properties. Most binder are often high molecular weight, non-reactive organic polymers or low to medium molecular weight, reactive polymer capable of being further polymerized via chain extension or cross-linking reactions to high molecular weight films (Candau, 1990).

Paints are any liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition that after application to a substance in a thin layer, converts to a solid film. It is most commonly used to protect, colour, or provide texture to objects and surfaces. Paint can be made or purchased in many colours and in many different types, such as water-colour, synthetic, etc. Paint is typically stored, sold, and applied as a liquid, but most types dry into a solid Stephanie, (2011). It can also be used to describe liquid material before application and coating after it has been applied and dried. The purpose of paint is to protect the surface of metals and wood from attack by rain, dust and gases in the air, it can also be applied to impart beauty and protection Crowley, (2008). Paint is a term used to describe a number of substances that consist of a pigment suspended in a liquid or paste called vehicle such as oil or water. It provides an economic protection, preservation, and decoration, aesthetic and adds functionality to structures Abidalla, (2008).

Paints composition largely determines its characteristics, usage and classification. By suitable variation of the type of proportion of the various constituents, they can be made dry, glossy or flat as desired. Other properties such as permeability to water could be varied accordingly Waldie, (1983). Paints have been manufactured since prehistoric times, but until recently they were highly expensive and thus were mainly used for artwork. It is only since the 19th century that houses have commonly been painted. Today paints are used for colouring and protecting many surfaces, including houses, cars, road markings and underground storage vessels. Each of these different applications requires a different sort of paint, and it is these differences in composition that are the focus of this article. Paint is essentially composed of a binder, pigment and solvent JEPER (2014).

Paint can be classifies based on the type of solvent used. Water based paints (emulsion), oil based paint (gloss).Classification could also be based on the substrate part of application (exterior paints, interior paint, automotive paints, marine paints and industrial paints). Emulsion paints are the most widely used surface coatings in Nigeria because of their numerous industrial applications. 

Nigerians, today; depends mainly on imported finished products because of low industrial development. Majority of the raw materials used in paint making technology are also imported, which led to the high cost of paints in the market. For example, white titaniumoxide pigment remains the costliest raw material in paint manufacture, also analysis of cost of production of emulsion paints from manufacturing industries has shown that thickenerscount much among other constituents cost (Oyoh and Nnamchi, 2105).

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The paint and surface coating industry in Nigeria is a key contributor to the economy with a range of products for diverse industrial and decorative applications. The Nigerian paints and coatings industry comprising the organized and unorganized sectors was estimated to worth about $ 200 million in 2012 with annual estimated sales of 128 million liters (Dave, 2012). The decorative paints segment contributes about 71 % of the production volume and 60 % of the total revenue.

Some of the major players in the industry include Chemical and Allied Products (Cap) Plc., Chemstar Paints Industries Nigeria Limited, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc., Dn Mayer Plc., Apex Paints Limited, International Paints West Africa Plc., Eagle Paints, Paints and Coating Manufacturers Nigeria Plc., Premier Paints Plc., Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc., President Paints, and Prestige Paints Company Limited (Harrison, 2015).

The Nigerian paint industry is currently facing the problem of scarcity and high cost of raw materials for paints production due to the dependence on the imported raw materials, and manufacturers are being encouraged to source for raw materials locally. Earlier, some reports have been published on the suitablity of clays in various parts of Nigeria as extenders in the paints industry (Umunakwe et. al., 2019.

The droplet coalescence rate in a macro emulsion is stated to be the only quantitative measure of its stability (Boyd, 1972). It can be measured by counting the number of droplets per emulsion unit volume as a function of time, in a haemocytometer cell under a microscope (Sherman, 1968), or by means of a Coulter centrifugal photosedimentometer (Groves, 1964; Freshwater, 1966).

In the light of the above and the gaps that exist in the literature, the study will try to investigate into the effective production and formation of stable emulsion paint from locally source materials.

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to investigate the effective production and formation of stable emulsion paint from locally source materials.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Assess the formulation and production of emulsion paint with the use of local pigments and extenders as raw materials
2. Examine  economic value of stable emulsion paint from the production and formation of locally source materials to the public
3. Identify some locally sourced materials from our local environment that could play the same role with the imported raw materials that are used for emulsion paint production which causes the cost of emulsion paint production to be high
4. Compare the effectiveness of locally source materials with that of imported source materials

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Arising from the research objectives, the following research questions will be addressed in the study:

1. What are the formation and production of emulsion paint with the use of local pigments and extenders as raw materials?
2. What is the economic value of stable emulsion paint from the production and formation of locally source materials to the public?
3. What are some of the locally sourced materials from our local environment that could play the same role with the imported raw materials that are used for emulsion paint production which causes the cost of emulsion paint production to be high?
4. What is the effectiveness of locally source materials with that of imported source materials?

1. STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0 : Effective production and formation of stable emulsion paint is not determined by locally source materials

H1 : Effective production and formation of stable emulsion paint is not determined by locally source materials

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

On considering the high cost of imported raw materials for the production of emulsion paint in the paint industry, which at the end of the production affect the market price, likewise causing economy constrain, there is need to lookout for those locally raw materials such as pigments and extenders (e.g calcium carbonate) which will give such desirable qualities and properties as those of imported raw materials (e.g Titanium Dioxide).

It will be interesting to note that Chemical Engineering have some of possible solutions towards reduction the  high cost of emulsion paint production and also this research project work is directed towards the vital needs for the use of local pigments and extenders as raw materials for the production of emulsion paint of high quality and standards which will stand the test of time and also compete with those emulsion paints produced with imported raw materials.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focuses mainly on the investigation into the production and formation of stable emulsion paint from locally source materials. Specifically, the interest of the study will be restricted to paint industry in Nigeria, due to time and finance constraints. The investigation of the study will be conducted within Emulsion paint industry Nigeria and the focus of the study will on the members and staff of the company.

1. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.

1. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Materials

The substance of which a thing is made or composed; component or constituent matter.

Industrial production

Industrial production measures the output of the industrial sector, which typically comprises mining, manufacturing, utilities and, in some cases, construction. The industrial production indicator is generally provided as an index in volume terms.

Paint

Paint is any pigmented liquid, liquefiable, or solid mastic composition that, after application to a substrate in a thin layer, converts to a solid film. It is most commonly used to protect, color, or provide texture to objects. 

Locality

Locality is a place, spot, or district, with or without reference to things or persons in it or to occurrences there:

Calcium carbonate

 A compound CaCO3 found in nature as calcite and aragonite and in plant ashes, bones, and shells and used especially in making lime and portland cement and as a gastric antacid.