Glossary

Acrylic
A man made resin used in high-performance water-based coatings
Analyse
Perform investigation, study or explore problems
Appraisal
An assessment of someone's skills and performance in their job/workplace
Budgets
Business spending plans
CIMA
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - one of the oldest professional organizations devoted to financial management and cost accounting
CIPD
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development - UK organisation providing courses and support for training and staff development
Coating
Paint, lacquer, varnish or other finish whish is applied to the surface of a product to create a protective and/or decorative layer
Colourfast
A coating that will not fade when exposed to light for long periods of time
Colorant
Concentrated colour (dyes or pigments) that are added to base colour paints to create specific finished colours
COSHH
(Control of Substances Hazardous to Health ) The CIEH ‘Principles of COSHH’ Certificate is a stand-alone level 1 qualification, which complements the CIEH Health and Safety programme
Cure, Curing
Process by which a liquid solution becomes hard and dry
Dynamic
Forward thinking, energetic and able to react quickly to market changes and customer demands
Enamel
Coatings for equipment and walls enamels are paints that dry to a hard, usually glossy finish - (equipment enamels require baking)
Epoxy
Epoxy coatings are extremely tough, durable and highly resistant to chemicals, abrasion, moisture and alcohol
Flash Point
The lowest temperature of a liquid at which it gives off sufficient vapor to form an ignitable mixture when mixed with air and brought into contact with an open flame or spark
Galvanizing
Process in which a thin coating of zinc is applied to iron or steel to prevent rust
HNC
(Higher National Certificate) Qualification taught in colleges and Universities
HND
(Higher National Diploma) Qualification taught in colleges and Universities
ILM
Institute of Leadership and Management - organisation that provides management training and qualifications
Inhibitor
A chemical additive that slows down or removes undesired chemical reactions such as corrosion, oxidation and drying
Innovate / Innovative
Inventive - able to create new products and drive change
NCFE
NCFE is a professional body that co-ordinates further education provision. They provide awards and certificates accredited by the QCA
NEBOSH
(National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) - Raising standards of occupational health, safety and environmental management by creating certificates and other relevant awards
NVQ or N/SVQ
National or Scottish Vocational Qualification that provides proof of work related skills knowledge and experience
Pigment
Insoluble, finely ground materials that give paint its properties of colour and hide. Examples include: burnt sienna, burnt umber, carbon black, China clay, chromium oxide, iron oxide
Powder Coatings
Any coating applied as a dry, finely divided solid (without solvents or other carriers) which sticks to the substrate as a continuous film when melted and fused
Primers
Coatings that are designed for application to a surface to provide a firm bond between the substrate and a "top coat" finishing coating
QCA
"Qualifications and Curriculum Authority" this body leads developments in curriculum, assessments, examinations and qualifications
Resin
Material used as the binder in coatings. Examples include Examples: acrylic, alkyd, copal ester, epoxy, polyurethane and silicone
SVQ
Scottish Vocational Qualification (See NVQ)
Substrate
Any surface to which a coating is applied
Viscosity
The "thickness" of a liquid or its ability to flow. Most liquids decrease in viscosity and flow more easily as they get warmer
Water-based
Coatings in which the majority of the liquid content is water