Varieties and applications of leveling agents

Leveling agentVarieties and Applications

The additives that can usually promote the flow of paint film and help obtain a smooth surface are called surface control additives, and in many cases, they are also called leveling agents. Leveling agent is a commonly used coating additive that can promote the formation of a flat, smooth, and uniform coating film during the drying and film-forming process of coatings. With the increasing demand for the appearance of coatings, the amount and variety of leveling agents are also increasing, and the consumption is increasing year by year. Below are the types and applications of leveling agents analyzed by leveling agent manufacturers. 

There are many types of leveling agents, and the types of leveling agents used for different coatings are also different. The most commonly used leveling agent in oil-based coatings is acrylic polymer, which is usually used in solvent based coatings and powder coatings, especially as a necessary additive in the production and application of powder coatings. The most commonly used leveling agent in water-based coatings is polyurethane, especially widely used in mid to high end latex paints. Other leveling agents include organosilicon and associative alkali swelling leveling thickeners. 

Acrylic leveling agents are mainly used in the production and construction process of powder coatings. Common leveling agents are used to improve the appearance of coatings, eliminate surface defects such as orange peel, shrinkage, pinholes, and shrinkage edges. Polyurethane leveling agent is generally used for waterborne coatings, especially in systems containing lotion, which has both leveling and thickening properties. It is prepared by the reaction of polyepoxyethane and isocyanate and then fat modification.