Identification of Non-Volatile Components and Volatile Organic Compounds in Wet Building Materials

Abstract

The major volatile components in two solvent-based paints, two thinners, and four adhesives have been identified by a method involving pre-treatment by solvent dilution, filtration, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The non-volatile components in these wet building materials have been determined by infrared spectroscopy. The results have shown the major volatile organic compounds in one-component polyurethane varnish and alkyd paint thinner to be nonane, decane, undecane, xylene, ethylbenzene and ethyltoluene. The main film-forming matter in cement floor paint has been identified as styrenated acrylic emulsion, with the volatile components being mainly butyl acetate, decane and benzene series. The basic substances in these adhesives were polychloroprene, styrene butadiene carboxylated latex, or polyvinyl acetate emulsion. The primary volatile compounds in two adhesives were methyl acetate, and many branched-chain and normal alkanes, while those in the other two adhesives were toluene and benzene.