Film Properties that Matter Most
Film properties continue to be a driving factor when selecting specialty additives for paint formulations. Make sure that what you choose provides you with the range of benefits that suit your needs and allows you to produce quality products.
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Explore how ANGUS products can help with freeze-thaw resistance, blocking, color retention, scrub resistance, gloss and open time for the following types of architectural latex paint applications:
Interior gloss/semi-gloss paint
Interior flat/satin/eggshell paint
Interior gloss/semi-gloss paint
Here is a quick comparison between ammonia and ANGUS products such as AMP™ Co-dispersant and Neutralizing Amine and AEPD™ VOX 1000 Multifunctional Amine for interior gloss/semi-gloss paint formulations:
- Ammonia is used for pH adjustment only; no multifunctional benefits
- Odor: Compared to ammonia, AMP products and AEPD VOX 1000 demonstrate considerably lower odor
Common paint needs and obstacles for interior gloss/semi-gloss formulations
Obstacle
- Low VOC latex gloss/semi-gloss systems have lower block and freeze-thaw resistance
Needs
- Demonstrate high color stability and dispersion
- Demonstrate good hiding power
- Demonstrate good blocking
- Demonstrate good scrub resistance
Freeze-thaw and Blocking
Depending on the region, the degree of priority for freeze-thaw resistance can be different. Low-VOC systems usually have poor freeze-thaw resistance due to the reduced levels of glycols.
Block resistance is also very important to an end-user since gloss and semi-gloss paints are often used for trim applications. At times, eggshell formulations can also be used in trim applications depending on how they are marketed and if they have good wet adhesion and blocking.
AMP™ Co-dispersant and Neutralizing Amine has shown improved block and freeze-thaw resistance in semi gloss paint systems including the low-VOC architectural paint formulation. In fact, when comparing freeze-thaw, the system with AMP shows improvement over ammonia.
Examining block resistance at 25°C for one, three and seven days shows AMP-95 having a better block resistance while ammonia has only fair outcomes.
Scrub Resistance, Resistance to Humidity and Reduced Water Spotting
Since gloss and semi-gloss paints are used in places that often require frequent cleaning or exposure to moisture, it is important they display good wash-ability and resist humidity.
Most dispersants and surfactants contain 25 to 50% non-volatile, hygroscopic components, which remain in the dried paint film and contribute to poor scrub resistance and water spotting. Because of this, it is important to keep these additives to a minimum.
When used in conjunction with reduced levels of conventional dispersants, AMP and AEPD VOX 1000 reduce these levels and the results are improved scrub resistance, water resistance, and reduced water spotting of the paint film.
In a scrub resistance test for a low VOC semi-gloss latex formulation the use of AMP versus ammonia showed an increase in scrub resistance by 30%.
Gloss, Color Stability and Hiding Power
With interior gloss and semi-gloss paints being used in areas where gloss and coverage are very important, it makes sense to use a multifunctional additive that provides these benefits in addition to the other key functions listed above.
AMP™ Co-dispersant and Neutralizing Amine and AEPD™ VOX 1000 Multifunctional Amine both function as powerful co-dispersants in gloss systems. Gloss is improved by the more efficient dispersion of the pigment with the use of these products.
The gloss of semi-gloss paint systems depends on latex/pigment levels and particle sizes. Dispersants and surfactants, such as AMP-95 and AEPD VOX 1000, affect the dispersion efficiency and lead to gloss improvement in semi-gloss formulations as well.
The chart below shows a 5.8 units increase in gloss with the use of AMP-95 in and interior, low-VOC semi-gloss latex formula:
Color acceptance is a key test in measuring the color uniformity of a tinted paint film. The HLB compatibility of the colorant, distribution and stability of the colorant in the base paint determine the color stability of the tinted system.
Surfactants play a role in improving the base paint and colorant compatibility. Due to the strong adsorption properties of AMP-95 and AEPD VOX 1000, pigment stabilization can be improved.
| |
Phthalo Blue |
Red Oxide |
Yellow Oxide |
| Ammonia |
Very Severe |
Severe |
Very Severe |
| AMP |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
| AMP-Optimized |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
The choice of rheology modifiers for application performance and system stability play a large part in achieving optimal hiding results.
The rheology-modifier thickening mechanism depends on the interaction of the rheology-modifier with other formulation components. Since dispersion quality affects the system rheology, the dispersion process is a critical factor in this process.
The hiding power of paint primarily depends of the TiO2 (titanium dioxide) pigment levels. The extender pigments act as spacers for the TiO2 particles and can increase the hiding power of the paint.
However, independent of TiO2 and extender pigments, the choice of neutralizing agent can strongly influence the rheological behavior of the thickener and has a direct effect of the hiding power of the dry film. The addition of neutralizing agents AMP or AEPD VOX 1000 can improve the high-shear viscosity and hiding power in high-quality paints.
The chart below shows a 0.12 units increase in ICI viscosity with AMP when used in an interior, low-VOC semi-gloss latex formulation.
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Interior flat/satin/eggshell paint
Here is a quick comparison between ammonia and ANGUS products AMP™ Co-dispersant and Neutralizing Amine and AEPD™ VOX 1000 Multifunctional Amine for interior flat/satin/eggshell paint formulations:
- Ammonia is used for pH adjustment only; no multifunctional benefits
- Odor: Compared to ammonia, AMP and AEPD VOX 1000 demonstrate considerably lower odor
- Improved scrub resistance versus ammonia, which is a substantial value-add for flat systems
Common paint obstacles and needs for interior flat/satin/eggshell formulations
Obstacles
- Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Latex Systems often have poor freeze-thaw resistance
Needs
- Demonstrate good scrub resistance
- Demonstrate good hiding power and color dispersion
Scrub Resistance and Freeze-thaw
Depending on geography, the degree of priority for freeze-thaw resistance can be different. Low-VOC systems usually have poor freeze-thaw resistance due to the reduced levels of freeze-thaw agents and low Tg polymers.
This poses a problem since flat/satin/eggshell paints are also often used in high-traffic interior rooms and require good scrub resistance.
The addition of AMP™ Co-dispersant and Neutralizing Amine or AEPD™ VOX 1000 Multifunctional Amine to formulations has demonstrated improved freeze-thaw resistance while maintaining good scrub resistance in low-VOC architectural paint formulations. In fact, AMP demonstrated an increase of 30% better scrub resistance versus ammonia.
Hiding Power and Color Stability
The areas where flat, satin and eggshell formulas are utilized it is important to use additives that lend excellent hiding and color stability properties.
Improving Dispersion: As co-dispersants, these products improve the TiO2 and extender pigment dispersions in addition to enhancing the rheology system.
Just as in gloss and semi-gloss formulations, the choice of rheology modifiers for application performance and system stability plays a large role in achieving optimal hiding results.
The addition of neutralizing agents AMP or AEPD VOX 1000 can help with hiding power in these types of formulations since they improve opacity by increasing the particle size distribution of pigments.
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