The mechanism of paint seeding

Abstract

The formation of zinc soaps in paints containing zinc oxide and fatty acids leads to a situation called ‘seeding’. Seeding is the collection of the zinc soaps into particles significantly larger than the thickness of a dried paint film (≈30 microns). The particles are readily visible and resemble seeds, hence the origin of the name. The solubility of these soaps in the vehicle falls rapidly with lower temperatures, leading to their separation from the vehicle when the temperature falls well below that corresponding to the solubility limit at the prevailing concentration.

Citation

Hansen, C.M. and Klauss, H.C. (1972), "The mechanism of paint seeding", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 1 No. 5, pp. 5-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb040810