Perfecting Paint Production
Paint and coatings manufacture requires the safe and efficient handling and transfer of abrasive liquids, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is an additive used to make latex. When a paint manufacturer began experiencing a shortened diaphragm lifespan in its Air-Operated Double-Diaphragm Pumps (AODD Pumps) Pumps that were tasked with handling TiO2, it was recommended that they switch to Integral Piston Diaphragm (IPD) models. Since making the change, the service life of the diaphragms can now be measured in years rather than months, resulting in reduced downtime and an optimized paint-manufacturing operation.
Category: Blogs, Case Studies May 7, 2026
Intended Audience: Sector – Paints and Coatings. Instruction Level – Beginner
Objective: Optimize eco-efficient paint-manufacturing operation by upgrading to Air-Operated Double-Diaphragm Pumps (AODD Pumps) with Integral Piston Diaphragms (IPDs).
Description of System: In August 2020, a paint manufacturer was given the opportunity to replace the diaphragms on some of their 200 AODD pumps throughout their latex manufacturing facility from the traditional diaphragms to the Integral Piston Diaphragm (IPD). This case study presents an example where swapping diaphragm designs from traditional diaphragms to IPDs increase the mean time between failure of AODD pumps when used in the same application. The test pumps outfitted with IPDs exceeded one year of operation (eight hours per day, five days per week). Operating relatively trouble-free, the pumps equipped with IPDs have improved the paint manufacturers operation by increasing the service life of the pumps, requiring fewer service hours, minimal maintenance downtime and costly draining cycles.
The paint manufacturer operated nearly 200 Air-Operated Double-Diaphragm pumps (AODD pumps) ranging in size from 1″ to 3″ (25 mm to 76 mm) that had traditional diaphragm designs. These diaphragms were having to be replaced every six to eight months due to the aggressive process fluids used to make latex paint.
Description of Intervention: Performance data indicates that in the same application, Integral Piston Diaphragm (IPDs) have a significantly longer wear life than traditional diaphragms. As a performance comparison, the facility outfitted a few 3” pumps with IPDs. These pumps were monitored by the paint manufacturer to ensure a leak free operation and evaluated on the life of the diaphragms and compared to historical maintenance schedules. This allowed the facility to determine if the costs associated with changing their AODD pump diaphragms to IPDs would be less than cost saved from lowering maintenance costs.
Summary of Results: The test pumps outfitted with IPDs exceeded one year of operation (eight hours per day, five days per week). Operating relatively trouble-free, the pumps equipped with IPDs have improved the paint manufacturers operation by increasing the service life of the pumps, requiring fewer service hours, minimal maintenance downtime and costly draining cycles. “The two main takeaways from having seen them in operation is that they are lasting longer and the reduction in mating surfaces makes them easier to rebuild and naturally more resilient as a result,” a factory representative said. “There are basically three parts to assemble versus the old setup, which was seven.”
Conclusion: With the elimination of potential leak areas, extended flex life, and easy cleanability for efficient product changing, the Integral Piston Diaphragm design was ideal for the aggressive latex-handling applications inside the facility.
Written by:
Scott Pianalto, Product Manager, Wilden, A PSG Brand, LinkedIn
Andy Venegas, Application Engineering Manager, Wilden, A PSG Brand, LinkedIn
Wilden, A PSG Brand
Year of Publication: 2026
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