International. PPG announced the launch of PPG PRIMERON TM Optimal, a new zinc epoxy powder primer.
This patent-pending product is formulated with an optimized amount of zinc that provides superior transfer efficiency over standard zinc-rich primers, as well as corrosion protection that meets stringent ISO C5 corrosivity specifications for use in high humidity and aggressive environments.
PPG PRIMERON powder primers comply with ISO 12944, which serves as an industry benchmark for protecting steel structures against corrosion using protective paint systems.
PPG Primer Primeron Optimal has a much lower specific gravity than standard zinc-rich primers (2.0 vs. 3.6), making it less dense and easier to apply. With a transfer efficiency of 85%, about half the product is needed compared to a standard zinc-rich primer, saving costs and improving sustainability. In addition, PPG Primer Primeron Optimal is formulated without solvents that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Additional benefits include exceptional corrosion resistance on edges, surfaces and scratches, as well as excellent adhesion on both plain steel and blasted steel for a strong bond that prevents peeling, chipping and degradation. In laboratory tests, the primer exceeded 10,000 hours of salt spray resistance in blasted steel. It is designed to be used on steel, hot-dip galvanized steel, metalized steel, and aluminum, being suitable for a wide range of applications including trailers, gas tanks, pipes, auto parts, and machinery.
"The PPG Primer Primeron Optimal represents a significant advancement in corrosion protection and illustrates PPG's commitment to sustainably advantageous solutions and innovations in powder coatings," said Shelley Verdun, PPG's powder coatings business manager in Industrial Coatings.
Sustainability benefits include reducing waste and using materials. PPG Primer Primeron Optimal can be gelled (partially cured), or used in a two-coat, baking process, providing a faster, more sustainable, and energy-efficient finish, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%.
"Corrosion protection is a deciding factor in a part's durability and one of the most significant challenges for the coatings industry," said Paul Bradley, PPG's product development manager in Industrial Coatings. "PPG Primer Primeron Optimal offers better adhesion and corrosion resistance, even in coastal environments, and has a better overall balance of properties than traditional zinc-rich primers."
The product portfolio, which includes solutions in epoxy, polyester and epoxy polyester chemistries comprises:
- PPG Primer Optimal: Optimized zinc content that offers robust corrosion protection, higher transfer efficiency, and a better overall balance of properties than standard zinc-rich primers.
- PPG Firstn Legacy: A traditional zinc-rich primer that offers maximum corrosion protection.
- PPG Firstn Auto: Designed for layered production for automotive and specialty markets.
- PPG Primeron Edge: Offers the best corrosion protection for substrates with sharp edges; Optimized for degassing substrates, the effective release of bubbles from the coating during the curing process.
- PPG Firstn Versa: A versatile primer that offers strong corrosion protection for a wide range of substrates, including aluminum.
