Acrylic paint is water-based fast-drying paint which has been widely used by artists since the 1960s. For reliability and versatility, every artist’s favourite is acrylic. No other kind of paint offers room for customization or as much variety of texture. It’s the type of choice for artists such as Warhol and Motherwell.
Did you know that you can use a heat source on paintings made out of acrylic? Using a heat source on paintings during and after a pour can create some really beautiful effects.
Is Acrylic Paint Flammable?
Generally? No, acrylic paint is not flammable. Although, some forms of paint are highly flammable or combustible, such as spray paints, which is particularly flammable when in aerosol form. Whereas water based paint, such as acrylic paint, can even be flame retardant, thanks to the water content of paint.
There are various forms of art projects that expose acrylic paints to heat or flames that help create magnificent effects. One of the greatest benefits of using acrylic paints is that they work great on numerous different projects.
Now you know that acrylic paint, in general, is not flammable but does that mean it’s also not flammable when it’s dry?
Is Acrylic Paint Flammable When Dry?
When acrylic paint has dried up, it changes into a different type of substance. It is practically solid. Dried acrylic is a polymer of plastic which is considered flammable.
It’s a hydrocarbon polymer, so will burn easily above its ignition temp (assuming it’s in contact with air or oxygen).
Acrylic paint pigments are not great for long periods at elevated temps as the binder uncontrollably flows over the pigment so that the colour will become non-uniform and the paint will craze once sufficient polymer binder has been volatilized.
What about latex acrylic paint? Are they flammable?
Is Acrylic Latex Paint Flammable?
Latex paint is non-flammable as well. While it is not flammable in its liquid state, latex is flammable according to HMIS standards when it is in hard polymer form.
Latex paint is made from a water-soluble base that is mixed with a polyvinyl material containing acrylic resin. The name is used to describe latex paint as rubber based, but the rubber is not natural – it is man-made.
Latex paint is often used by people because it looks good on both exterior and interior surfaces, and it’s relatively easy to clean up. Take a look at our article on Ways To Clean Acrylic Paint.
What about Acrylic enamel paint?
Is Acrylic Enamel Flammable?
Water-based acrylic enamel is not flammable by NFPA standards, but it does have an HMIS flammability rating of 1 and a flashpoint of 201°F.
Acrylic enamel is automotive paint. When Acrylic enamel dries, it produces a smooth and glossy surface. It also forms a hardened surface that is more resistant to weathering.
Water-based acrylic enamels will dry on the outside within an hour, but they can take weeks to cure on the inside thoroughly.
Now, in general, you know the answer, but what about acrylic paint of different brands? Are they flammable in their liquid form too? Let’s find out.
Is Liquitex Acrylic Paint Flammable?
Liquitex Acrylic Paints are not flammable. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t flammable when it’s all dried up. Liquitex as other acrylic paint is flammable when dry.
Don’t know what you would do in case of a Liquitex acrylic fire mishap? Don’t worry, in case of a fire situation, extinguish it with alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder or water fog.
Warning: Do not use water jet as an extinguisher, as this will spread the fire.
As the world’s first commercial water-based artists’ acrylic, Liquitex has been the home of acrylics for all artists, since 1955. Liquitex is also one of the first acrylic paint brands that first switched to modern laminate tubes.
Is Tamiya Acrylic Paint Flammable?
Unlike Liquitex, Tamiya isn’t a standard acrylic; it’s alcohol-based thus flammable as per lacquer paint like Mr Color and plastic cement.
It has this warning on the bottles: Flammable liquid and vapours contain isopropanol + glycol ethers. For this reason, Tamiya always recommends people to use their branded pain thinners while using their products.
Tamiya is known as “First in Quality Around the World”. These products are not only sold in Japan but also exported in vast quantities to the United States, Europe, South East Asia, and to many other parts of the world.
We’ve now talked about acrylic paints at length, but what about paints in general? Are they flammable? Let’s talk briefly.
Is Paint Flammable?
There are flammable as well as nonflammable paints. For example, some paints, including aerosol and oil-based paints, are flammable. Water-based paint, such as latex, acrylic or vinyl paint, and many artists’ paints are not flammable.
What Paint is Flammable?
Water-based paint is completely safe to use. Water-based paint by itself is not flammable. In its liquid form, especially, it won’t catch fire.
Oil-based paints are flammable. They are sometimes designated with the word alkyd because of their flammability and thus considered hazardous.
What about spray paints. We’ve talked about paint in their liquid and solid form, but what about in their gaseous form?
Is Spray Paint Flammable?
While still being in the air yes it is flammable, but it loses all it’s flammability once the paint dries up. But there are some spray paints that can be used in heated places. For example, in radiators.
FINAL VERDICT
For most acrylic paint applications, flammability will not be a significant concern. Dried acrylic, as a polymer, is flammable at high temperatures since acrylic will burn at 560°F (293.33°C).
Fun Fact: Acrylic paint had been produced in Germany as early as the 1920s and the 1930s, but it was only in the 1950s that it became a popular medium in the fine arts. One of the first masters who used it was David Hockney.
Beatrix Ainsley (Bea to her friends) is an abstract artist who was heavily inspired in her twenties by the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940s. Since then Bea has acquired three degrees in Science, Education and most importantly Fine Art. Her art works showcase exploring emotion and introspection of self. To achieve this – the use of bold, sweeping, intricate layers of color, and spontaneity of form is enhanced by reflecting on decades of life experiences. Bea has amassed a vast knowledge of art in all its forms, and hopes to pass it on with her contributions here.
