RHOPLEX® TP-257

• Paints formulated with RHOPLEX™ TP-257:
  • Offer a balance of low cost and quality performance
  • Possess the environmental advantages of a waterborne system
  • Retain glass beads longer
  • Hold up longer between repainting as indicated by road tests
  • Allow the work area to be back in service sooner due to their quick drying properties

• Striping paints fall into two general categories: highway and airport marking. The majority of these paints, sold to states, counties, and municipalities for road marking, require fast drying characteristics and early water resistance. Also important is good wear resistance including retention of the reflective glass beads. RHOPLEX® TP-257, a relatively hydrophobic acrylic binder, possesses all of these characteristics.
• The specific balance of properties in a traffic striping paint varies from one locality to another.
• The variations include cost, speed of dry, and adhesion characteristics. Formulation XTP-57-4M has been demonstrated in commercial use and thus is an excellent starting point for evaluating waterborne traffic paint. Variants of this formulation demonstrating different balance of properties are presented here. The following table contains a summary comparison of these properties.
• A fast drying waterborne yellow traffic paint formulation, XTP-57-10M, containing a non-chromate pigment, is also included in this bulletin. Techniques used to change the balance of properties with the white formulation, XTP-57-4M, could also be effective here.

No unusual techniques are required with RHOPLEX® TP-2577, but in formulating for short dry times, an important factor is volume solids where a value of 60% or greater is desirable. Any organic solvents used should be as volatile as possible. Therefore, methanol is suggested as the freeze-thaw agent.

The use of all Butyl Carbitol as coalescent has the advantage of fast evaporation and minor effect on paint viscosity. However, it has been found in practical applications on highways that a paint containing only Butyl Carbitol is susceptible to poor film formation if exposed to water (rain) before it is thoroughly dried. The coalescent system in the suggested formulas in this technical data sheet has been changed from our previous recommendations to a 1:1 blend of Butyl Carbitol and Texanol in order to provide a safety factor against this problem. This can result in somewhat greater viscosity changes of the paint; these changes should not affect the ability to apply the paint satisfactorily in actual use. Also, the cycles in the scrub test may be lowered. This reflects the presence of the lower volatility Texanol. Upon longer drying, the scrub resistance improves to or near that seen with 100% Butyl Carbitol coalescent.

High solids paint formulations such as those suggested in these notes may require special precautions in order to avoid non-dissolvable contamination generated by surface skinning. Avoid or minimize this situation by preventing the liquid surface from drying in the storage container. Fill the drums as completely as possible, store at reasonably constant temperature, use polyethylene drum and lid liners, and seal tightly to prevent contact with the air. A thin layer of water floated on the paint surface may also prove beneficial.

Drying is retarded considerably by high humidity and poor air flow, and these conditions should be controlled during laboratory evaluations. Normally a temperature of 750°F, a relative humidity of 50%, and a strong air flow are sufficient. In practice, marking paints are sprayed at 120 - 1400°F and the atomization and temperature increase the rate of evaporation. Although the formulations in these notes do not contain a can preservative, paint manufacturers should incorporate a preservative of their choice.

Dispose in accordance with all local, state (provincial) and federal regulations. Empty containers may contain hazardous residues. RHOPLEX® TP-257 and its container must be disposed in a safe and legal manner.

• CAUTION! Keep combustible and/or flammable products and their vapors away from heat, sparks, flames and other sources of ignition including static discharge. Processing or operating at temperatures near or above product flashpoint may pose a fire hazard. Use appropriate grounding and bonding techniques to manage static discharge hazards.
• CAUTION! Failure to maintain proper volume level when using immersion heaters can expose tank and solution to excessive heat resulting in a possible combustion hazard, particularly when plastic tanks are used.

Store RHOPLEX® TP-257 in tightly closed original containers at temperatures recommended on the product label.