Ask Anything
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
Select Application
We are looking for an additive that can prevent sagging in epoxy heavy-duty anti-corrosion coatings.
Application:Wetting and Dispersing Agents for Reducing Viscosity
Reply: In medium- and high-polarity systems, Tech-9030—a polyamide powder designed to provide sag resistance—delivers pronounced thixotropic flow behavior, pseudoplastic flow characteristics, and rapid viscosity recovery after use, thereby offering excellent sag resistance.
We are developing a 2K water-based epoxy coating, and we are currently seeing pinholes on the paint film surface in our lab. Do you have any suggestions? What type of surface additive should we use?
Application:Wetting and Dispersing Agents for Reducing Viscosity
Reply: The main cause of pinholes is the presence of air bubbles, so it is necessary to select an appropriate defoamer to resolve this issue. We recommend the following tried-and-true method: Start by using Tech-3901 and Tech-38101 to test defoaming and pinholes. To extend the open time, adding 0.5–1.0% of the surface-active agent Tech-2849N will also improve substrate wetting.
I need to disperse a high concentration of fumed silica into liquid epoxy resin to thicken the resin and stabilize its viscosity as a rheological additive, while ensuring it retains good flow properti
Application:Wetting and Dispersing Agents for Reducing Viscosity
Reply: Tech-5103 is a dispersant for silica. This product imparts good flowability to the system, and its strong viscosity-reducing properties allow for the addition of more fumed silica to the system.
I am developing a high-solids epoxy system and have encountered the following problem: the viscosity is very high, but the pigments and fillers tend to settle. What can I do?
Application:Wetting and Dispersing Agents for Reducing Viscosity
Reply:
To improve flow properties in anti-corrosion coatings, we highly recommend using Tech-5076, a viscosity-reducing wetting and dispersing agent. General recommended dosage: TiO₂, 2% SOP (additive solids based on pigment); inorganic pigments, 5% SOP; fillers, 0.5% SOP. To prevent settling, we recommend Tech-9030, with an initial addition of 0.5% based on Component A. These rheological additives exhibit excellent shear-thinning properties.
We are developing a two-component polyurethane coating. Sometimes, the cured coating exhibits mottling and color bleeding, and the problem is more severe when the coating is dark blue, gray, or green.
Application:Wetting and Dispersing Agents for Reducing Viscosity
Reply:
Organic pigments such as phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, and carbon black are among the most difficult to wet, disperse, and stabilize; a key factor is using the correct wetting and dispersing agent to aid in stabilization. If a co-grinding process is used, a single additive should be capable of stabilizing all pigments and fillers; Tech-6013 Super Dispersant is recommended. The next section covers dosage. General guidelines are as follows: TiO₂ 2% SOP (solid content of the additive based on pigment weight), organic blues and greens: 30–40% SOP, and carbon black: 40–100% SOP. Typically, for phthalocyanine blues and greens, a pigment synergist is also required. We recommend Tech-5550, a synergist at 3–5% based on the pigment weight. The synergist should be added to the grinding slurry before the wetting and dispersing agent is added.
I am developing a solvent-free epoxy using TiO₂ as the pigment. After curing, I noticed a significant loss of hiding power. The TiO₂ is already well dispersed in the epoxy—it disperses even better in
Application:Wetting and Dispersing Agents for Reducing Viscosity
Reply:
This problem is primarily caused by flocculation of titanium dioxide. Even though the titanium dioxide appears to be fairly well dispersed in the ground slurry, selecting the correct additives and dosages is crucial to prevent this phenomenon. During the grinding of the pigment, you can try using Tech-5010 in the epoxy component at a dosage of 2% additive solids by weight of titanium dioxide.
Can you recommend a rheological additive suitable for alkyd systems containing xylene?
Application:Wetting and Dispersing Agents for Reducing Viscosity
Reply: If you wish to use liquid rheological additives, you can use Tech-9010 (polyurea) or Tech-9020 (polyamide).
My coating drying conditions are 12 minutes at 200°C. I need a surface additive to improve the coating’s wetting properties on the substrate while also providing good thermal stability.
Application:Substrate Wetting Agent
Reply:
Polyether-modified silicones should be used with caution at very high curing temperatures; we recommend using polyester-modified silicones such as Tech-210A instead. Tech-210A is a highly reactive silicone that provides strong surface tension-reducing properties. Even at low concentrations, it delivers excellent leveling and substrate wetting performance. The typically recommended addition rate is 0.2%; we recommend conducting a gradient test. The additive should be added during the later stages of production and requires only low shear to mix uniformly. The migration behavior of the additive must be tested and evaluated.
