A primer is a preparatory coating put on materials before painting. Priming ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being painted.
A primer designed for metal is still highly recommended if a part is to be exposed to moisture. Once water seeps through to the bare metal, oxidation will begin (plain steel will simply rust). Metal hydroxides/oxides do not provide a solid surface for the paint to adhere to, and paint will come off in large flakes. Using a primer will provide extra insurance against such a scenario.
Primer is a term used to describe a number of substances that consist of a Red Oxide suspended in a liquid or paste vehicle such as oil or water. With a brush, a roller, or a spray gun, primer is applied in a thin coat to various surfaces such as wood, metal, or stone. Although it’s primary purpose is to protect the surface to which it is applied.
Red oxide primer is a specially formulated coating used as a base coat for ferrous metals. Red-oxide primer serves a similar purpose to interior wall primers in that it prepares metal for a topcoat, but it also gives iron and steel surfaces a layer of protection. A primer is composed of Red Oxide, solvents, resins, and various additives. The pigments give the primer color; solvents make it easier to apply; resins help it dry; and additives serve as everything from fillers to anti fungicidal agents.
Other additives produce certain desired characteristics. in primer such as the thixotropic agents that give primer its smooth texture, driers, anti-settling agents, anti-skinning agents, defoamers, and a host of others that enable primer to cover well and last long. Red oxide primer is the commonly used in metal primers. Red oxide is excellent for exposure to sunlight and exterior exposure.
The Indian paint industry has been growing at an average 15% per annum over the last decade. Growth has been consistent with the Indian GDP growth rate and in some years the industry has grown at a rate of 1.5 to 2 times higher than that of GDP growth. Construction remains the key growth sector and is driving demand for decorative and protective coatings. The sector accounts for nearly 45% of the total national investment in infrastructure and the trend is expected to continue in the future. Many paint companies are expanding their operations in India but the rapid growth of the paint industry, with billions of rupees being invested in enhancing capacities, is causing concern among environmentalists. India is also the second largest paint market in Asia with an annual demand of over two million tonnes, again second only to China.
Moreover, due to the low per capita consumption of paints in India. The paint industry can easily grow at 12-13% annually over the next few years from its current size of Rs 350 bn. The per capita paint consumption in India which is a little over 4 kegs is still very low as compared to the developed western nations. Therefore, as the country develops and modernizes, the per capita paint consumption is bound to increase. The unorganized sector controls around 35% of the paint market, with the organized sector accounting for the balance.
This is due to increasing demand from retail consumers, on rapid urbanization, and development of rural markets. The industry will reach the level of Rs 62,000 crore in the next two years, it said. A rise in disposable income of the average middle class coupled with increasing investment on education, urbanization, development of the rural market and various launches of many innovative products will be major drivers, it said. India is the second largest consumer of paint in Asia.
Few Indian major players are as under
Asian Paints Ltd.
B A S F India Ltd.
Berger Paints India Ltd.
Chowgule A B P Coatings (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Gunjan Paints Ltd.
Lona Industries Ltd
Mallak Oilchem Pvt. Ltd.
