Some paint materials are defined by different specifications that refer to a series of specific characteristics that provide very important information regarding significant aspects, such as the way they are applied or their polluting effect. One of them is the reference made by the manufacturer through the abbreviations UHS, HS and MS to indicate the solids content of the paint, but what does this concept mean and why should you be familiar with it? Below, we will explain its meaning and some additional information that will be of interest to you.
What is the meaning of the term “solids content”?
When we talk about the solids content of a paint, we are referring to the amount of product that remains on the surface after application and subsequent drying. In other words, it determines the final thickness of the paint layer after drying. Thus, the higher the solids content of a paint, the fewer volatile compounds it contains, which results in a number of advantages, including the following:
- Less pollution, due to the fact that the product is applied with fewer coats.
- The resulting coat after application is thicker. This increases the quality of the repair while increasing protection.
- Cost-effectiveness in use, achieving the same dry residue with less product.
- Of the various compounds that make up the composition of a paint, it is the pigments and binders that influence the solids content of a given coating.
What do the abbreviations UHS, HS and MS stand for?
The abbreviations UHS, HS and MS refer to the solids content of a paint. The meaning of each abbreviation is as follows:
- UHS. UHS (ultra-high solids) refers to a high-quality paint with a high solids content of around 50-60% of its total composition, i.e. it is made up of a higher amount of compounds that contribute to increasing the thickness of the final product coat. Therefore, it has a lower content of volatile compounds (solvents), pollutes less and is applied in one and a half to two coats.
- HS. In the case of HS (high solids), the paint is still of high quality and it has a high solids content of around-49%. The resulting coat after drying is thinner, which means that it dries faster. These clear coats are applied in one and a half or two coats.
- MS. MS (medium solids) paints are the lowest quality paints, since they are made up of a large amount of organic compounds and a smaller number of solid compounds, which are usually between 30 and 38%. These products are more liquid, pollute more and require a two or three coat application.
What products are the abbreviations UHS, HS and MS used for?
Not all paints carry these abbreviations, even though they all have a certain solid content. However, this is especially important for solvent-based coatings and paints that dry by means of evaporation or oxidative polymerization. These paint variants are produced with solvents that evaporate during the polymerization and drying process. In addition, some of them are also diluted with this compound before application. For both reasons, manufacturers indicate these abbreviations on the respective cans for information purposes. The products that usually include this classification are as follows:
- Primers
- Paints
- Clear coats
Why is it important and beneficial to use UHS products?
The use of UHS products is beneficial for the whole social context related to the use of paints. On the one hand, UHS paints offer higher quality than other variants, which translates into work with optimized results that improve the service offered and promote customer loyalty. On the other hand, the application of these products takes less time and is easier, which increases the productivity of the repair.
Finally, their high solids content reduces pollution as there are fewer solvent emissions into the atmosphere through solvent evaporation. This particular feature also makes it possible to obtain a thicker dry paint layer that facilitates certain defect correction processes and better protects the coated part.
Paints with high solids content provide great benefits
The presence of products with a high or ultra-high solids content has become the order of the day in various industrial sectors. Their use provides a series of advantages for all parties involved in the production process that go beyond their own benefit, since, in addition to offering higher productivity and quality, they are more environmentally friendly.
