The selection of pigments, fillers, and carrying liquids is necessary for a proper paint. In general, pigments should be opaque to ensure good covering power, and chemically inert to secure stability, and non toxicity. To predict some properties of paints such as ease of painting, gloss, washability for a certain formulation, the pigment volume concentration (PVC) in paint is used as indicator.
Pigment volume concentration (PVC) = | Volume of pigment in paint |
(Volume of pigment in paint + volume of Non volatile vehicle constituents in paint) |
Indicator values for pigment volume concentration in paints, is shown below.
Pigments Volume Concentration (PVC)
Paints Type | Indicator Values |
Matt paints | 50-75% |
Semigloss paints | 35-45% |
Gloss paints | 25-35% |
Exterior household paints | 27-36% |
Metal primers | 25-40% |
Wood primers | 35-40% |