{"id":639,"date":"2014-06-06T14:37:12","date_gmt":"2014-06-06T20:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=639"},"modified":"2024-06-26T08:56:33","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T14:56:33","slug":"pc-flow-leveling-viscosity-control-water-born-coatings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/639\/pc-flow-leveling-viscosity-control-water-born-coatings\/","title":{"rendered":"Flow, Leveling & Viscosity Control in Waterborne Coatings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"viscosity6\"Flow, leveling and viscosity stability can be very challenging and problematic in waterborne ambient cure and baked finishes. These issues can affect not only package stability, but also have a profound effect on appearance during and after application. As the vast majority of waterborne coatings are anionic in nature (amine<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>) neutralized), this article will focus on amine neutralized resin types, although if resin polarity, for example from acid functionality, is high enough, anionic resin types can be dispersible or even water soluble without the use of neutralizing amine.<\/p>\n

There are two major categories of waterborne paint technologies: water reducible<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>) and latex<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>). For the purpose of this article, water reducible resins are normally made in solvent and then reduced with water to form a resin dispersion in water. Latex resins are made by emulsion polymerization\u00a0in water. The paints using emulsion resins most often utilize a small amount of organic cosolvent to improve coalescence of the latex particles, as well as substrate wetting.<\/p>\n

Other types of waterborne paints utilize a growing number of resin types that include PUD (polyurethane dispersions<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>)) as well as microemulsions. Accordingly, multiple issues can influence the flow, leveling, and appearance of waterborne coatings. This article will primarily examine the impact of 1) resin type, 2) humidity and temperature variation, 3) wetting and 4) flow control. Appearance of the coating during and after application can be affected greatly by these issues.<\/p>\n

Resin Effects, Temperature and Humidity<\/h4>\n

The proper formulation of waterborne coatings must consider many additional factors due to their complexity when compared to most of their organic solvent born counterparts. Hence, most waterborne coatings, in addition to the essential paint ingredients in solvent born finishes (e.g. resin, pigment, solvent, flow additives etc.), also contain additional amine, antimicrobial<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>) agents, wetting<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>) agents, thickeners<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>), associative thickeners<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>), surfactants<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>), and coupling solvents. Lastly, as the diagram below\u00a0illustrates, the rheological characteristics of water born coatings can be very different with the addition of water or cosolvent than organic solvent borne coatings with the addition of solvent.<\/p>\n

\"Viscosity1\"<\/p>\n

The chart below shows the general effects of change in ambient temperature and\/or humidity, and dilution, on viscosity upon application and applied appearance on organic solvent born coatings versus that of a typical water born latex.<\/p>\n

\"Viscosity2\"<\/p>\n

An additional complication in waterborne coatings is if they are applied at or above the dew point*, with the same amount of water entering the film as evaporating. This can result in excessive flow and thus severe sagging. If the waterborne paint contains one or more volatile cosolvents, under the critical relative humidity, for a volatile cosolvent the volume fraction of water will decrease. Conversely, at a higher relative humidity above the critical relative humidity, the volume fraction of water will actually increase. Accordingly, in a production environment, it is extremely important to control both temperature and humidity to ensure uniform application and appearance.<\/p>\n

Wetting<\/h4>\n

Rheological properties can be very different than solvent borne coatings due to the high surface tension of water. To compensate, most waterborne coatings contain one or more additives to assist wetting and control flow. These additives enable acceptable wetting by reducing surface tension or controlling rheology to minimize excessive flow during and after application. The coating will not spread or wet properly if the surface tension of the paint is higher than the surface energy of the substrate.<\/p>\n

Comparison of Surface Tension (liquids) and Surface Energy (solids) of various Materials to Water<\/h4>\n

\"Viscosity3\"<\/p>\n

If the surface tension of water is very high, surfactants<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>) or wetting agents are added to improve surface wetting, flow and appearance. Surfactants are classified according to the polarity of their head as being nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric respectively.<\/p>\n

\"Viscosity4\"<\/p>\n

The addition of less than 0.005% of some surfactants on total formula weight can depress the surface tension of a latex paint from about 65 dynes\/cm to about 30 dynes\/cm. In the last few years, reactive surfactants have become available as well. Improved hydrophobicity<\/a>\u00a0(EU<\/a>), shear stability, and smaller latex particles are reported to be advantages.<\/p>\n

Flow Control<\/h4>\n

Latex paints exhibit a higher degree of shear thinning than solvent born coatings. Accordingly, latex paints have too low of a viscosity at high shear rates at application to permit adequate film build and too high a viscosity at low shear rates to permit adequate leveling. Associative thickeners have gained in popularity versus the more traditional cellulosic type, as associative thickeners help to resolve these problems to a greater extent. Paints using associative thickeners exhibit less shear thinning, so the viscosity at high shear rates is higher and thus thicker films can be applied to help minimize sagging. Formulations containing associative thickeners also enable a reduction in viscosity at low shear rates so leveling is also improved. Although there are multiple types of associative thickeners, they are essentially medium-low molecular weight hydrophilic polymers containing at least two long chain nonpolar hydrocarbon groups along the chain.<\/p>\n

*The dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in air at constant barometric pressure condenses into liquid water at the same rate at which it evaporates, whereas at temperatures below the dew point, water will evaporate.<\/em><\/p>\n

Suppliers<\/h4>\n

Surfactants for Waterborne Coatings:<\/strong>
\nAcme<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nAir Products<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nAshland<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nDow<\/a>
\nEthox<\/a>
\nKowa<\/a>
\nRhodia (Solvay<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Associative Thickener Flow Control Agents:<\/strong>
\nAir Products<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nAshland<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nBASF<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nBYK<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nCelanese<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nCoatex<\/a>
\nElementis<\/a> (EU<\/a>)
\nNexeo<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Flow, leveling and viscosity stability can be very challenging and problematic in waterborne ambient cure and baked finishes. These issues can affect not only package stability, but also have a profound effect on appearance during and after application. As the … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[107,112,129,237],"ppma_author":[1249],"class_list":{"0":"post-639","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-paint-coatings","8":"tag-waterborne-coatings","9":"tag-resin","10":"tag-wetting-agents","11":"tag-formulation-challenge","12":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nFlow, Leveling & Viscosity Control in Waterborne Coatings<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Expert coatings formulator discusses common challenges in waterborne coatings that can affect the appearance of the coating during and after application.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/639\/pc-flow-leveling-viscosity-control-water-born-coatings\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Flow, Leveling & Viscosity Control in Waterborne Coatings\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Expert coatings formulator discusses common challenges in waterborne coatings that can affect the appearance of the coating during and after application.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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Lewarchik, President and CEO of Chemical Dynamics, LLC, brings 40 years of paint and coatings industry expertise to his role as a contributing author with the Prospector Knowledge Center. As a contributing writer, Ron pens articles on topics relevant to formulators in the coatings industry. He also serves as a consultant for the Prospector materials search engine, advising on issues related to optimization and organization materials within the database. Ron's company, Chemical Dynamics, LLC (www.chemicaldynamics.net), is a full-service paint and coatings firm specializing in consulting and product development based in Plymouth, Michigan. Since 2004, he has provided consulting, product development, contract research, feasibility studies, failure mode analysis and more for a wide range of clients, as well as their suppliers, customers and coaters. He has also served as an Adjunct Research Professor at the Coatings Research Institute of Eastern Michigan University. As such, Ron was awarded a sub-grant from the Department of Energy to develop energy-saving coating technology for architectural applications, as well as grants from private industry to develop low energy cure, low VOC compliant coatings. He taught courses on color and application of automotive top coats, cathodic electro-coat and surface treatment. His experience includes coatings for automotive, coil, architectural, industrial and product finishing. Previously, Ron was the Vice President of Industrial Research and Technology, as well as the Global Director of Coil Coating Technology for BASF (Morton International). During his fourteen-year tenure with the company, he developed innovative coil coating commercial products primarily for roofing, residential, commercial and industrial building, as well as industrial and automotive applications. He was awarded fifteen patents for new resin and coating formulas. From 1974 to 1990, Ron held positions with Desoto, Inc. and PPG Industries. He was the winner of two R&D awards for coatings utilizing PVDF resins, developed the first commercial high solids automotive topcoat and was awarded 39 U.S. patents for a variety of novel technologies he developed. He holds a Masters in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and subsequently studied Polymer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. Ron lives in Brighton, Michigan with his family. 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Lewarchik, President and CEO of Chemical Dynamics, LLC, brings 40 years of paint and coatings industry expertise to his role as a contributing author with the Prospector Knowledge Center. As a contributing writer, Ron pens articles on topics relevant to formulators in the coatings industry. He also serves as a consultant for the Prospector materials search engine, advising on issues related to optimization and organization materials within the database. Ron's company, Chemical Dynamics, LLC (www.chemicaldynamics.net), is a full-service paint and coatings firm specializing in consulting and product development based in Plymouth, Michigan. Since 2004, he has provided consulting, product development, contract research, feasibility studies, failure mode analysis and more for a wide range of clients, as well as their suppliers, customers and coaters. He has also served as an Adjunct Research Professor at the Coatings Research Institute of Eastern Michigan University. As such, Ron was awarded a sub-grant from the Department of Energy to develop energy-saving coating technology for architectural applications, as well as grants from private industry to develop low energy cure, low VOC compliant coatings. He taught courses on color and application of automotive top coats, cathodic electro-coat and surface treatment. His experience includes coatings for automotive, coil, architectural, industrial and product finishing. Previously, Ron was the Vice President of Industrial Research and Technology, as well as the Global Director of Coil Coating Technology for BASF (Morton International). During his fourteen-year tenure with the company, he developed innovative coil coating commercial products primarily for roofing, residential, commercial and industrial building, as well as industrial and automotive applications. He was awarded fifteen patents for new resin and coating formulas. From 1974 to 1990, Ron held positions with Desoto, Inc. and PPG Industries. He was the winner of two R&D awards for coatings utilizing PVDF resins, developed the first commercial high solids automotive topcoat and was awarded 39 U.S. patents for a variety of novel technologies he developed. He holds a Masters in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and subsequently studied Polymer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. Ron lives in Brighton, Michigan with his family. Contact Ron via email\u00a0or through his company\u2019s web site at www.chemicaldynamics.net to learn more about his consulting services\u2026","sameAs":["https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com"],"url":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/author\/ron-lewarchik\/"}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":1249,"user_id":12,"is_guest":0,"slug":"ron-lewarchik","display_name":"Ron Lewarchik","avatar_url":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/media\/2014\/05\/Ron-Lewarchik_avatar_1399393591-96x96.png","0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=639"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=639"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=639"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=639"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=639"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}