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10 Glossary

The language used in paint and painting technology is characterized by special technical terms that are necessary for the subject matter to be clearly and vividly understood. The following list explains a selection of the most important and most frequently used expressions and serves as a small reference.

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Accident prevention regulations

The accident prevention regulations, worked out by the trade associations of various industry branches, regulate important obligations of plant operators and the insured for accident prevention via requirements for plants and operating rules.

Active sound insulation

All measures for reducing the generation of noise at the source, e.g. by building motors with lower noise levels.

Additives

General substances that are added to a material (e.g. plastics, lubricants, paints, etc.) to make desirable changes to the properties of the material. Additives in paints serve to ease dispersion of pigments, prevent the settling tendency of pigments and improve flow behavior when applying paint. In paint filming, additives help improve flow, prevent pigments from floating, accelerate hardening and increase shine. Some additives when added to a product in small quantities could result in specific properties, e.g. anti-settling agents in paints.

Adhesive agent

Additive used to improve adhesion, e.g. of dusts and sprays.

Adsorbable organic halogen compounds

See: AOX.

Adsorption

An increase in concentration of a substance on the surface of a solid, caused by molecular forces. Finely distributed or porous substances have a particularly high adsorbing capacity thanks to their large internal surface areas (up to 600 m2 per gram). Adsorption is used for separating and dissociating chemical compounds, e.g. in chemical processes and also in the purification of waste air and waste water. The reverse process of adsorption is desorption.

Aerosols

Air with finely dispersed suspended particles, e.g. paint particles arising in the spraying process = paint spray.

Air pollution

Air pollution resulting from house fires, traffic and industrial plants. See: Emissions, Immission.

Air pollution control

All measures for maintaining the natural quality of air. Technologies that do not emit pollutants.

Air TI

See: TI

Allergens

Proteins or hapten- or haptide-like non-proteins linked to protein in the organism (hapten = organic, protein-free compound which inhibits the formation of antibodies in the body), sometimes of simple chemical composition. As antigens, they result in sensitizing together with the formation of antibodies in individuals of appropriate disposition following contact with the body surface or after resorption in the organism. Renewed contact with the respective antigen can result in allergic syndromes, depending on the location of the mainly cell-bound antibodies. Only through long-term exposure to small allergen quantities according to a certain method can immunity to allergens be achieved.

Allergy

The term for hypersensitivity (pathological sensitivity) of the organism of certain people to irritants (allergens). Allergies are caused by contact with allergens, against which the body produces antibodies. The reaction between allergen and antibody results in the allergy. Allergies can be caused by food, pollen, medication, perfume, ingredients in cosmetics, metals or detergents.

Ammonia

Ammonia is a colorless, pungent gas. It is an important basic material in chemistry. Aqueous ammonia solutions (liquid ammonia) are used for cleaning and scouring e.g. galvanized metal.

Analysis

Breaking a substance down into its constituents in order to determine the nature and quantity of basic substances and compounds. Different methods are available here, including volumetric analysis, weight analysis, elemental analysis, gas analysis, chromatography, colorimetry, potentiometry, spectral analysis, thermal analysis, spot analysis, etc.

Antiknock rating

Measure of the compression (knocking limit) of a fuel-air mixture without causing Knocking. The antiknock rating is measured in octane numbers (See: Octane numbers).

Antioxidants

Chemical compounds that increase the storage stability of paints, e.g. by inhibiting the formation of skin on the surface or other oxidation reactions (See: Oxidation).

AOX

Abbreviation for adsorbable organic halides. Analytical method for detecting all adsorbable organic halides. In the qualification of waste water, the sum parameter covers halides of all hazard potentials.

Aromatic compounds

Originally all odorous Hydrocarbons, now Benzene, its derivatives and condensation products.

Association complaint

The right for certain associations, which are responsible for carefully outlined tasks, to file complaints.

Audible sound

Sound between 16 Hz and 20,000 Hz (varies depending on the individual), which is perceived by the human ear.

Auditory range

Range of all sounds audible to the human ear. Representation of all audible sounds in a frequency/sound intensity diagram; the limitations are provided by the thresholds of audibility or pain perception.

Automotive emissions

The gases resulting from the combustion process in automotive engines depending on engine design, type of fuel and operating state of the engine. See: Catalysts.