Classification and application characteristics of leveling agents

One of the common problems in coatings is the leveling of the paint film. Leveling agents can effectively improve the flow and leveling of the paint film, providing a flat, smooth, and satisfactory paint film surface.

1、 Classification and application characteristics of leveling agents

1. Classification of leveling agents: There are mainly three types: acrylic acid, organosilicon, and fluorine modified acrylic acid.

2. The application characteristics of organic silicon leveling agent: it can strongly reduce the surface tension of the paint film, improve the fluidity of the paint film and the wetting of the substrate, reduce shrinkage and fisheye; This type of product can avoid Benard vortices and streaks, as well as the sensitivity of the paint film to hot air flow; Meanwhile, organic silicon leveling agents can impart varying degrees of smoothness to the paint film. Its disadvantage is that it has a tendency to stabilize bubbles and may affect interlayer adhesion.

3. Application characteristics of acrylic leveling agent: By balancing surface tension, improving the flow and leveling of the paint film, effectively solving problems such as orange peel, fish eye, shrinkage, ghosting, and thick edges, and enhancing the clarity of the paint film; Compared with organic silicon leveling agents, its surface tension is higher, so it generally does not affect the interlayer adhesion of the paint film; High molecular weight products can also provide significant substrate wetting and defoaming properties.
 

2、 Principle of leveling agent

When the surface tension of the liquid is greater than that of the substrate, the liquid cannot completely wet the substrate, which can lead to surface problems such as orange peel, fish eyes, and shrinkage. Surfactants and polymers are fixed at the interface to reduce the surface tension of the liquid, allowing the liquid to spread and play a leveling role.

The compatibility and properties of acrylic leveling agents are related to their molecular weight and polarity. Leveling agents with different molecular weights and polarities can solve various paint problems in a targeted manner.