If you’ve worked with metal buildings, you’ve probably heard the term Kynar® paint.

It’s a term commonly used when discussing high-performance coatings for metal roofing and wall panels, but what does Kynar mean? And how is it related to PVDF?

The short answer is that PVDF is the coating chemistry, while Kynar® is a trademarked name associated with a family of PVDF resins from Arkema. Kynar 500® PVDF resin is used by licensed coating manufacturers to formulate high-performance architectural coatings.

For Whirlwind Steel customers, that distinction matters because our new coating offer is Fluropon® 70% PVDF from Sherwin-Williams.

So, let’s break down what all of that means.

What Is PVDF?

PVDF stands for polyvinylidene fluoride. It is a fluoropolymer resin used in coatings designed for demanding exterior applications.

Unlike a coating where performance is primarily associated with adding more material, PVDF’s performance comes from the chemistry of the resin itself.

PVDF-based coatings are known for their resistance to weathering, ultraviolet exposure and long-term color change. This makes them particularly useful on exterior metal surfaces that are exposed to the elements year after year.

For architectural metal, that can mean roofing, wall panels, façades and other building components where maintaining the appearance of the finished surface is important.

So, What Is Kynar®?

Kynar® is a registered trademark of Arkema associated with its PVDF resin products.

The name has become widely recognized in the architectural and metal-building industries, and “Kynar” is often used conversationally to describe PVDF coatings.

Technically, however, not every PVDF coating is a Kynar-branded coating.

Kynar 500® PVDF resin is one specific resin technology used by licensed coating manufacturers. Fluropon® is Sherwin-Williams’ coating system, and Whirlwind Steel is bringing Fluropon 70% PVDF to our 24-gauge panels.

Understanding the terminology makes it easier to read specifications and know exactly what coating system a project requires.

What Does “70% PVDF” Mean?

You may also see PVDF coatings described as 70% PVDF.

That refers to the resin composition of the coating system. Fluropon 70% PVDF is formulated using a high percentage of PVDF resin, which is a major part of what gives the coating its performance characteristics.

For customers, the important takeaway is that 70% PVDF is a recognized high-performance coating formulation designed for demanding exterior applications.

Why Does PVDF Matter on a Metal Building?

A metal panel can look great when it leaves the manufacturing facility. But the coating has to keep performing long after installation.

Over the life of a building, the exterior may be exposed to:

• Intense sunlight and ultraviolet radiation
• Heat and temperature changes
• Rain and humidity
• Pollution and environmental contaminants
• Moisture and corrosive conditions
• Everyday weathering

Over time, exposure to these conditions can contribute to changes in color, gloss, adhesion and surface chalking.

PVDF coatings are designed to resist this type of weathering and help maintain the appearance of coated metal over the long term. Arkema describes Kynar 500® PVDF resin-based coatings as providing long-term resistance to weathering, aging and pollution, while Sherwin-Williams positions Fluropon 70% PVDF for demanding architectural and building applications.

What Is AAMA 2605?

One of the most important terms you’ll encounter when researching PVDF coatings is AAMA 2605.

AAMA 2605 is the highest of the three AAMA performance specifications commonly referenced for organic coatings: AAMA 2603, AAMA 2604 and AAMA 2605.

Fluropon 70% PVDF meets AAMA 2605, which covers high-performance coating applications with demanding requirements for properties such as color change, chalking, adhesion and weathering.

This is one reason PVDF coatings are frequently specified for architectural and other applications where long-term appearance and performance are priorities. Sherwin-Williams identifies Fluropon 70% PVDF as meeting the AAMA 2605 performance level.

Where Is PVDF Used?

PVDF coatings are commonly associated with buildings where both performance and appearance matter.

Applications can include:

• Commercial buildings
• Architectural façades
• Metal roofing
• Metal wall panels
• Pre-engineered buildings
• Institutional buildings
• Residential and high-end architectural applications

For these projects, the exterior finish can play an important role in maintaining the building’s appearance over time.

Why Whirlwind Is Bringing PVDF to Our Offerings

At Whirlwind Steel, we’re adding Fluropon 70% PVDF to our 24-gauge panels to give customers another option for projects with demanding coating requirements.

The coating is backed by a Sherwin-Williams limited warranty that includes:

40 years of film integrity
30 years of color change protection
30 years of chalking protection

As always, warranty terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

SMP isn’t going away. WeatherXL remains available on our other panel gauges, while Fluropon 70% PVDF gives customers another choice when a project calls for the characteristics and specifications of a PVDF coating.

More Than a Coating

A building’s exterior finish does more than determines its color.

The coating system helps protect the metal underneath while contributing to the building’s appearance throughout its service life. That’s why understanding the differences between coating technologies can be an important part of choosing the right metal building system.

With the addition of Fluropon 70% PVDF, Whirlwind Steel is expanding the options available to customers who want a high-performance coating for their 24-gauge panels.

So, how does PVDF compare to the SMP coating you may already know?

In Part 2, we’ll put Fluropon 70% PVDF and WeatherXL SMP side by side, looking at their specifications, performance characteristics and where each coating fits within Whirlwind Steel’s panel offerings.