A Comparison of the Stripping Capabilities of Water-Biobased Solvent Microemulsions as Paint Strippers with Commercial Solvents
摘要
This paper explores the potential of microemulsions derived from biobased solvents, such as alkyl esters of natural oils (dibasic esters), in comparison to traditional industrial oil-based solvents. The study compares their capacity to clean, de-grease, and strip paint with that of traditional industrial oil-based solvents. These microemulsions, which can be classified as O/W (oil in water) or W/O (water in oil) based on their composition, exhibit noteworthy thermodynamic stability and the capacity to solubilise both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances due to their dual nature. Consequently, they have become the focus of extensive research, which suggests that they could offer a promising alternative to traditional solvent-based systems. Moreover, the incorporation of water in their composition has the added benefit of reducing the cost of bi-based solvents, which are generally more expensive than traditional ones. To evaluate the microemulsions’ stripping potential, a test by confrontation was designed and performed against a commercial solvent mixture that is utilised in industry. The formulations assessed in this study are subject to specific criteria, namely, the biodegradability of all their components, and the absence of any requirement for classification as environmentally hazardous substances according to the European Chemicals Agency (EC) regulations. The ensuing results demonstrate the efficacy of these mixtures.