Acrylic Paint: What's it Made Of?

Acrylic paint is one of the most versatile art mediums you can use. Thanks to its durable and water-resistant properties, acrylic paint can be used in many different ways. Artists use it to create everything from paintings to sculptures and even clothing! If you’re interested in learning how acrylic paint is made, keep reading.

There is a lot more to this common art supply than meets the eye. Acrylic paints have been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt. Many painters prefer them for their versatility, durability, and affordability compared with other types of paint. Acrylic paints are still made in much the same way as they were centuries ago. In this article, we will explore how artists turn natural oils into acrylic paints.

What’s the difference between acrylic and oil paint?

There are many similarities between acrylic and oil paints, but they also have some key differences. The biggest difference is the finish the paints leave when they dry. Oil paints are naturally glossy, whereas acrylic paints are matte. Oil paints are also much more expensive than acrylic paints. The other major difference between the two is their chemical makeup. Oil paints are created with oil as their main ingredient, whereas acrylic paint is made from acrylic resin. The difference in ingredients leads to a few major differences in the longevity of the two types of paint. Oil paints are naturally more delicate than acrylic paints and will yellow over time when exposed to light. They also have a shorter lifespan, in general, than acrylic paints. Acrylic paints are more durable and are more resistant to cracking over time.

How is Acrylic Paint Made?

The manufacturing process for acrylic paint is very similar to the process used to make oil paints. The biggest difference is the use of acrylic resin instead of oil as the main ingredient. Most manufacturers use a process called the suspension polymerization method to create acrylic paints. This method combines acrylic resin with other ingredients, like organic drying agents (ODAs) and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to create a paint.

Like oil paints, acrylic paints are created using a process called distillation. During the distillation process, crude oil-based acrylic resin is heated until it becomes a liquid. The liquid is then cooled and broken down into small droplets. The droplets are then suspended in a solvent until they become a liquid again. The solvent is then removed, leaving you with acrylic resin ready to be turned into acrylic paint.

Understanding the Manufacturing Process

The Manufacturing Process for acrylic paint is similar to the process used to make oil paints. The biggest difference is the use of acrylic resin instead of oil as the main ingredient. The first step in the manufacturing process for acrylic paint is distillation. During distillation, crude oil-based acrylic resin is heated until it becomes a liquid. The liquid is then cooled and broken down into droplets. The droplets are then suspended in a solvent until they become a liquid again. The solvent is then removed, leaving you with acrylic resin ready to be turned into acrylic paint. The next step is called the polymerization process. During the polymerization process, the acrylic resin is mixed with other ingredients, like ODA and VOCs, until it becomes acrylic paint.

Acrylic Resin

Acrylic resin is the main ingredient in acrylic paint. It is a synthetic or man-made chemical made from a combination of organic compounds, like ethylene and methyl acrylate. It’s also a polymer, which means it’s made up of repeating units of smaller chemicals linked together. In this case, acrylic resin is made up of ethylene and methyl acrylate. The ethylene and methyl acrylate in acrylic resin react with each other when they are mixed together. This process is called polymerization, and it causes the acrylic resin to become hard like plastic. The acrylic resin used in acrylic paint must be a particular viscosity and chemical purity. This is to make sure the acrylic paint has the right consistency and durability.

Acrylates and Polymerization

When the acrylic resin and ODA are mixed together, the ODA acts as a catalyst, triggering a chemical reaction between the acrylic resin and other chemical compounds, called acrylates. This reaction causes the acrylic resin to become solid. The ODA helps this happen at a quicker rate, which is beneficial for the manufacturer. It allows them to create the acrylic paint in a more efficient and timely manner. The ODA is a type of organic compound. Organic compounds are carbon-based chemicals, like crude oil and acrylic resin. They are very common in the manufacturing process of many different types of products. Organic compounds are used in the acrylic paint manufacturing process because they produce a chemical reaction that is much quicker than a non-organic compound would.

Organic Drying Agents (ODA) and VOCs

Organic drying agents (ODAs) are the compounds that are used to speed up the polymerization process and create the acrylic paint. They are common in many different types of products, such as crayons and latex paint. The most common ODA used in acrylic paint is the chemical compound ammonium sulfate. Ammonium sulfate has many functions in acrylic paint - It helps create the paint, acts as a solvent, and acts as a thickening agent. VOCs are chemicals that evaporate into the air and produce gases. The gases cause odors in the atmosphere and can be harmful to the environment. Some VOCs are not suitable for use in acrylic paints. The VOC used in acrylic paints is the chemical toluene diisocyanate. It is a harmful chemical that has many negative side effects when it is released into the atmosphere.

Bottom Line

The manufacturing process of acrylic paints is very similar to the process used to make oil paints. The only real difference is the fact that acrylic paints use acrylic resin instead of oil as the main ingredient. The biggest difference between oil paints and acrylic paints is the finish the paints leave when they dry. Oil paints are naturally glossy, whereas acrylic paints are matte. These paints also have different chemical compositions, with acrylic paints being made from acrylic resin and oil paints made from oil as the main ingredient.