Home

Water-based acrylic paint is not flammable. I review how the paint is made and what makes it fire resistant. Most acrylic paints are made of pigment particles dispersed in an acrylic polymer emulsion. Water is one of the main ingredients for making these paints. Since water cannot burn, the paint is not flammable. Other kinds of paint contain highly flammable liquid that holds the paint pigments in suspension. Let’s review acrylic paint in more detail to understand how it works and what makes it inflammable. What Is Acrylic Paint? Generally, there are three primary components which make up acrylic paints. These include the pigment, binder and the vehicle. Pigment This is the component that creates the color. Pigments are made from granular solids and grounded into tiny, powder like substance. The more expensive pigments are made of rare minerals. These particles do not dissolve in liquids and remain suspended in the paint. When the paint dries up, these are the particles that are left on your wall or crafts, giving it the desired color. Pigments can be made from organic, inorganic, natural and synthetic materials. Binder The binder is the main element that keeps the color pigments bound together. It helps the paint stick to the surface you are painting after the paint has dried. In most acrylic paints, there is a polymer binder that creates a thin film over the pain after the water evaporates. This helps protect the pigments from rubbing off. Vehicle The vehicle consists of the carrying element in all paints. It is generally a liquid that keeps the pigments and binder together. The vehicle makes it easier to apply the paint to different surfaces. Water is used for most water-based acrylic paints. When you pour water into the mixture, it creates a polymer emulsion. After the paint has been applied, water molecules evaporate or get absorbed through the surface, leaving the pigment held in place by a polymer film. Just a few brands of my acrylic artist paints You may be interested in reading some of my other acrylic articles. For information on the relative toxicity of acrylic paint, check out this article! In addition, acrylics dry at different rates, depending on any additives you include to manipulate the paint. This article will give you the scoop. Is Acrylic Paint Flammable When Dry? We have already noted that acrylic paints are not flammable because they consist of water. But what about acrylic paints that are dried up and no longer have water component? Are they flammable? The answer is still no. The paint is not flammable. However, it can burn. When exposed to fire for some time, it begins to melt, creating carbon fumes. You see, dried up acrylic paint is composed of different substances. Most dried acrylic paints have a variety of polymer plastic that can burn and creates fumes. The effect is similar to when you burn plastic. The fumes can be highly toxic to breathing and it is advised to keep dried paints in a non-flammable place. Differentiating Between Flammable and Combustible It is pertinent to point out that objects can be divided into two categories, flammable and combustible. Flammable substances have a flash point below 37.8 degrees Celsius while combustible substances have a flash point above 37.8 degrees Celsius. What Are Flash Points? A flash point is the lowest temperature at which a volatile material can ignite when given a source of ignition. Common examples of flammable materials include paper, gas, dried wood etc. These materials can ignite and burn at normal working temperature. They have a relatively lower flash point. In comparison, combustible materials have a high flash point and they can only burn when the temperature is high. Some good examples of combustible materials include coal, aluminum foils and plastics. Acrylic paint can be considered a combustible substance but it is not flammable. Flammability Rating of Acrylic Paints The Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) identifies objects based on a flammability scale of 0 to 4 with 0 being non-flammable and 4 being substances that can spontaneously combust at room temperature. The lowest level of flammability is 1. Substances at this rating have a flash point of over 200°F. Liquids with a flammability rating of 1 would require preheating before they catch a flame. Acrylic Resin Acrylic resin is an important ingredient in acrylic paint that works as a binder and sticks the pigment of the paint to the desired surface. This is a chemical compound that contains the acryloyl group. It is made from acrylic acid which has a flash point of 124°F (51.11°C). The acid can auto ignite at a temperature of 820°F (437.78°C). With such a high flash point, and even though it will burn, acrylic is not considered flammable by either the OSHA or WHMIS standards. Plexiglas Plexiglas is a transparent, petroleum based thermoplastic that consists of acrylic. It is used in many acrylic paints. It becomes pliable at 260°F (126.67°C) and burns at 560°F. The autoignition temperature of plexiglass is the same as acrylic acid at 820°F. Given its high flashpoint, Plexiglas can be considered non-flammable. Acrylic Latex Acrylic latex paint was originally developed during the Second World War. It was manufactured by a private company that was producing Plexiglas and other acrylic products. It came about as a byproduct in the manufacturing process. The acrylic latex paint was further developed during the housing boom of the 1950s when the demand for paints grew. It had a low flammability and milder fumes compared to ordinary oil-based paints of the time. It became a favorite for many homeowners. Benefits of Acrylic Paints Apart from being non-flammable, acrylic paint is also popular with users for other reasons. Water is the main carrying vehicle in acrylic paints. Water dries up quickly, usually within a couple of hours. If the painted surface will be in contact soon or you cannot wait for days to let the paint dry, acrylic paint would be the better choice. Acrylic paint is quite versatile and you can use it on surfaces that are wax or oil free. It is easier to use than oil based paints. You can use it from a bucket or tube, mix it with water and it is good to go. You can clean up and blend the paint with water while it is wet. Once the color has dried up completely, it becomes permanent. It is very durable and water resistant. Acrylic paint comes in a range of consistencies and formats for different projects to suit what you need. Water based acrylic paints are very durable and they will stick to almost any metallic or non metallic surface. Acrylic paints are suitable for different styles and techniques - from clay based artwork to 3D prints. Acrylic paints are non-toxic compared to oil paints. They create low odor, with no fumes and are non-flammable. You can apply different mediums to change the character of acrylic paints. Final Thoughts Whether you are using acrylic paints for clay arts, crafts and 3D prints or for bigger home projects, flammability should not be a significant concern. Most acrylic paints are water-based and have an HMIS flammability rating of 0. Some brands of acrylic paints used in arts may have a negligible rating of 1. A few varieties of acrylic enamels and lacquers used for painting homes can have a score as high as 3 or 4. In this article, we covered whether acrylic paints are flammable of not. For an informative tutorial, check out my demonstration in landscape acrylic painting here. If you have more questions or want to add something let us know!

Welcome to VeryCreate.com!

Painting Info, Tutorials, and More!

My Research on the Best Alcohol Markers

My Research on the Best Airbrush Compressors

Piano Answers for You

My 3D Printing Info and Ideas

My Sewing Info and Reviews

Check Out My Latest Posts