Critical pigment volume concentration

Description

The critical pigment to volume concentration (CPVC) is the point where there is just enough binder to fill the voids between the pigment particles. Paint concentration variations above and below this transition point exhibit markedly different film properties. A paint with a low binder volume may be matte, chalky and opaque with poor washability. A paint with a high proportion of binder may be glossy, semitransparent and have good washability.

Synonyms and Related Terms

CPVC

Resources and Citations

• E. Hansen et al., Matte Paint, GCI, Los Angeles, 1993.