Arcmetal AL 160 General Purpose Alkyd Enamel
A conventional air-drying alkyd enamel for interior and sheltered service, supplied in matt, satin and gloss and matched to RAL, BS 381C, BS 4800 or IS references. It is applied over an Arcmetal PR primer, and damaged film is touched in with the same material.
Grade Arcmetal AL 160 | Range General Metal Finishing | Technology Solvent-borne, air-drying alkyd
Technical Data Sheet
Arcmetal AL 160
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A conventional air-drying alkyd enamel for interior and sheltered service, supplied across matt, satin and gloss sheens and matched to RAL, BS 381C, BS 4800 or IS references. It is the lowest cost route to a long colour list in small batches, it brushes and sprays without special equipment, and damaged film is touched in with the same tin. Alkyd films continue to harden after they are touch dry, so early stacking, strapping or wrapping risks print and blocking.
2. Features
- Colour matched to RAL, BS 381C, BS 4800 or IS references in small batches
- Matt, satin and gloss sheens
- Brush, roller or spray without special equipment
- Damaged film touched in from the same tin
- Force drying shortens through-dry to 30 to 40 minutes at 60 to 70 degrees C
3. Recommended uses
Interior and sheltered fabricated goods such as furniture frames, shelving, enclosures and general fabrication, where a long colour list is needed and the film will be repaired rather than replaced.
Substrates. Steel primed with Arcmetal PR 210 or PR 340, and sound aged coatings after abrading; not recommended direct onto bare galvanising or onto alkaline surfaces such as fresh cementitious material, because the alkyd binder saponifies.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Solvent-borne, air-drying alkyd | Formulation |
| Appearance and colour | Matched to RAL, BS 381C, BS 4800 or IS references; matt, satin or gloss | Visual, against the colour reference named |
| Volume solids | 35 to 45 per cent | ISO 3233-1 |
| Viscosity as supplied | 60 to 100 s in a 6 mm flow cup at 23 degrees C | ISO 2431, cup orifice stated with every result |
| Dry film thickness per coat | 40 to 60 microns | ISO 2808 |
| Drying, air dry at 30 degrees C | Surface dry in 2 to 4 hours; hard dry in 16 to 24 hours | ISO 9117-3 for surface drying, ISO 9117-1 for through drying |
| Specular gloss | Below 10 units matt, 20 to 45 units satin, 80 to 95 units gloss | ISO 2813, 60 degree geometry; 85 degree geometry for matt films reading below 10 units at 60 degrees |
| Adhesion | Cross-cut classification 0 to 1 over a correctly applied Arcmetal PR primer | ISO 2409 cross-cut |
| Flexibility, cylindrical mandrel | No cracking over a 4 to 6 mm mandrel | ISO 1519 |
| VOC content, ready for use | 420 to 550 g/l | ISO 11890-1, difference method |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Conventional, HVLP or airless spray, brush and roller. |
| Surface preparation | Apply over steel primed with Arcmetal PR 210 or PR 340, or over sound aged coatings after abrading. Not for direct application to bare galvanising or to alkaline surfaces such as fresh cementitious material, because the alkyd binder saponifies. Apply with the substrate at least 3 degrees C above the dew point. |
| Thinning | Thin with the thinner recommended by Arctic for the grade to 20 to 25 s in a 4 mm flow cup at 23 degrees C (ISO 2431) for conventional and HVLP spray. For airless, brush and roller, add only the thinner needed for atomisation or flow. |
| Film build | 40 to 60 microns dry per coat; check wet film with a comb gauge to ISO 2808 during application. |
| Drying schedule | Air dry at 30 degrees C: surface dry in 2 to 4 hours, hard dry in 16 to 24 hours. Force dry: 15 minute flash-off at shop temperature, then 30 to 40 minutes at 60 to 70 degrees C. |
| Handling | Time stacking, strapping and wrapping against hard dry, not touch dry; the film continues to harden after it is touch dry, and early packing risks print and blocking. |
Process. Conventional, HVLP or airless spray, brush and roller; air dry, surface dry in 2 to 4 hours, hard dry in 16 to 24 hours at 30 degrees C. Force drying, after a 15 minute flash-off, shortens the through-dry to 30 to 40 minutes at 60 to 70 degrees C.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original containers, tightly closed, in a cool, dry, covered store away from heat and direct sun, and stir thoroughly before use to redisperse any settlement. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.