Glossary

M

Mandrel
A round metal bar or rod 25 mm (1 in.) in diameter and approximately 460 mm (18 in.) long. Used in ASTM testing for flexibility of materials.

Mastic
A term used to describe a heavy-bodied coating or binder resin.

Metalizing
A method of applying atomized, molten metal such as zinc and aluminum to a surface.

Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
A low boiling, highly volatile flammable solvent with extremely good solubility for most epoxies, urethanes and other coatings.

Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK)
A medium boiling solvent commonly used in coatings.

Micron
A micrometer or one millionth of a meter.

MIL
One one-thousandth of an inch; 0.0001 inches. Commonly used to denote coating thickness.

Mildew
A superficial growth of living organic matter produced by fungi in the presence of moisture; results in discoloration and decomposition of the surface.

Mill Scale
A layer of iron oxide formed on the surface of steel plates during hot rolling, bluish in appearance.

Mineral Spirits
A refined petroleum distillate having a low aromatic hydrocarbon content and low solubility, suitable for thinning of alkyd coatings.

Miscible
Capable of mixing or blending uniformly.

Mist Coat
A thin tack coat usually applied to fill porous surfaces such as zinc rich primers.

Moisture Vapor Emissions
The process by which moisture exists a concrete slab.

Moisture Vapor Transmission
The process by which moisture moves through a slab of concrete. This is impacted by temperature, humidity and vapor pressure.

Monomer
A substance of low molecular weight molecules capable of reacting to form longer molecules called polymers.

Mottled
Spots of different tones and colors next to each other resulting in a blotchy effect on the coating film.

Mudcracking
A paint film defect characterized by a broken network of cracks in the film.

Muriatic Acid
Obsolete name for concentrated hydrochloric acid. Commonly diluted and used for etching concrete.