Arcmetal AL 290 Fast-Dry Urethane Alkyd Enamel
A urethane modified alkyd enamel that reaches handling strength faster than Arcmetal AL 160 and gives a harder, more abrasion resistant film. It is used where rack time limits output and the shop wants alkyd economics on a shorter cycle.
Grade Arcmetal AL 290 | Range General Metal Finishing | Technology Solvent-borne, urethane modified alkyd
Technical Data Sheet
Arcmetal AL 290
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A urethane modified alkyd enamel that reaches handling strength faster than AL 160 and gives a harder, more abrasion resistant film. It is specified where the rack is the bottleneck and the shop wants alkyd economics with a shorter cycle, and it force dries well where warm air is available. It is still an alkyd, so exterior gloss retention is below that of the Arcmetal 2K polyurethane grades and the class chalks with prolonged ultraviolet exposure.
2. Features
- Surface dry in 45 to 90 minutes and hard dry in 8 to 12 hours at 30 degrees C
- Harder, more abrasion resistant film than a conventional alkyd
- Force dries in 30 to 40 minutes at 70 degrees C after flash-off
- Brush touch-in with the same material
- Over Arcmetal PR 210 on zinc coated steel and aluminium
3. Recommended uses
Interior and sheltered fabricated goods where handling and packing time governs output, such as shelving, frames and enclosures. Exterior gloss retention is below that of the Arcmetal 2K polyurethane grades and the film chalks under prolonged ultraviolet exposure.
Substrates. Steel primed with Arcmetal PR 210 or PR 340; zinc coated steel and aluminium over PR 210; sound aged alkyd films after abrading.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Solvent-borne, urethane modified alkyd | Formulation |
| Appearance and colour | Smooth, even film; colour to the reference ordered (RAL, BS 381C, BS 4800, an IS reference or a customer panel) | 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 45 to 90 minutes; hard dry in 8 to 12 hours | ISO 9117-3 for surface drying, ISO 9117-1 for through drying |
| Specular gloss | For the sheen ordered: below 10 units matt, 20 to 45 units satin, 80 to 95 units full 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 for touch-in. |
| Surface preparation | Apply over steel primed with Arcmetal PR 210 or PR 340, over zinc coated steel and aluminium primed with PR 210, or over sound aged alkyd films after abrading. 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 spray and brush touch-in, 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 45 to 90 minutes, hard dry in 8 to 12 hours. Force dry: flash-off at shop temperature, then 30 to 40 minutes at 70 degrees C. |
| Handling | Stack, strap and pack against hard dry, not touch dry. |
Process. Conventional, HVLP or airless spray, brush for touch-in; air dry, surface dry in 45 to 90 minutes, hard dry in 8 to 12 hours at 30 degrees C, or force dry 30 to 40 minutes at 70 degrees C after flash-off.
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.