Highsolid

Highsolid refers to coatings, inks, or adhesives formulated with a high proportion of solid ingredients relative to solvents. The term is commonly used for high-solids or high-solids-content products and is described using solids by weight (SBW) or by volume (SBV). In practice, high-solid formulations may contain roughly 50 to 90 percent solids by weight and 60 to 85 percent by volume, depending on the resin system and intended use. Higher solids content generally results in a thicker dry film per coat and, when cured, can reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and solvent use.

Applications for high-solid products span industrial coatings, automotive finishes, wood coatings, floor coatings, and certain inks and sealants. They are chosen to increase film build per coat, improve coverage, and meet regulatory limits on solvent emissions while maintaining performance characteristics such as hardness, chemical resistance, and UV stability.

Advantages of high solids include lower VOC content, potential reductions in solvent handling and energy usage, and improved efficiency in the coating process due to fewer coats required for a given film thickness. However, high-solid formulations often exhibit higher viscosity, making spraying or brushing more challenging and requiring equipment adjustments, heat management, or the use of reactive diluents. Storage stability and pot life can also be affected, with potential for sedimentation or phase separation in some systems.

Regulatory pressures and environmental considerations have driven the development of high-solid and waterborne alternatives, promoting safer, more sustainable coatings without compromising performance. See also: low-VOC coatings, solvent-based coatings, and powder coatings.