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In this section, you can find answers to some frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed here, please click “Ask a Question.”
FAQ
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What additives are used to disperse organic pigments in water-based inks?
Application:Inkjet
Reply: For water-based resin-free color pastes, we recommend Tech-690 as the dispersant; for resin-based color pastes, we recommend Tech-6076 as the dispersant.
What additives should be used to improve the anti-settling properties of inorganic and metallic pigments?
Application:Inkjet
Reply:
For solvent-based systems, we highly recommend Tech-9010L. Depending on the polarity, you may need to test different additives. In most cases, the usage rate is around 0.1–0.2%; for water-based systems, we highly recommend Tech-9012L, with a usage rate also around 0.1–0.2%.
In water-based inkjet printing, it is necessary to control droplet shape and ejection performance. Are there any recommended additives?
Application:Inkjet
Reply:
We recommend trying: Tech-181W is a silicone-free, macromolecularly modified acrylate, and Tech-2550 is a silicone-containing, macromolecularly modified acrylate.
Someone has asked me to recommend a dispersant for high-surface-area carbon black used in solvent-based automotive topcoats. Do you have any recommendations?
Application:Automotive Touch-Up Paint
Reply:
The type of additive depends largely on the type of pigment used. We first recommend using Tech-58687 and Tech-58685N. In primer systems, the additive dosage is 70% of the pigment solids content. For topcoats, we recommend using Tech-6013, Tech-5861, or Tech-5561 at the same dosage.
Sometimes I encounter wetting issues with water-based primers. How can I ensure that critical substrates are also fully wetted?
Application:Automotive Touch-Up Paint
Reply:
Using silicone surfactants such as Tech-2849N, Tech-2835, or Tech-2837 ensures good substrate wetting. For surfaces with very low surface energy, you can also try Tech-2409, Tech-2870, or Tech-245.
To ensure the stability of transparent iron oxide yellow (Sicotrans Yellow 1916), I have chosen Tech-690. This resin-free grinding agent has very low viscosity and can be stored stably at 40°C; howeve
Application:Automotive Touch-Up Paint
Reply:
Tech-690 is suitable for improving the stability of various products during the grinding of resin-free pastes. It can also be used with transparent iron oxide pigments. The issue with this specific type of pigment is that it contains iron ions, which can cause water-based resins to gel. To prevent gel formation, add 1–5% Tech-598 together with Tech-690 (with the additive solids content accounting for approximately 25% of the pigment) during paste grinding. Before blending, be sure to adjust the paste’s pH to match that of the coating system. Alternatively, use Tech-675.
Even though I don’t need to use water-based clear coats right now, I’d like to be prepared for using this type of system in the future. For two-component water-based clear coats, which leveling agents
Application:Automotive Touch-Up Paint
Reply:
To wet the substrate, use 0.2–0.5% of an organosilicon surfactant, such as Tech-2409, Tech-2870, or Tech-245. To improve resistance to pinholes and achieve a certain level of surface slip, I would further add some polymeric organosilicon, such as 0.1–0.2% of Tech-2033 or Tech-2733.
How can I achieve metal orientation in water-based touch-up paint?
Application:Automotive Touch-Up Paint
Reply:
Since water evaporates much more slowly, the mechanism of metal orientation in water-based systems is significantly different. This means that the rheology of the coating is the key mechanism influencing pigment orientation. Therefore, you need to use additives that provide pseudoplasticity through certain elastic components to keep the foil flakes oriented in the coating; we strongly recommend that you test Tech-8421.
