Dow introduces a family of superwetter additives for high-performance water-based and UV cured inks, coatings and overprint varnishes:

Advantages of Dow superwetters

• Wide range of products allows choice of exactly the right product for the application, allowing for cost-effective, optimum performance
• Consistent wetting performance across a wide range of formulations and over a wide range of substrates
• Can be used in both waterborne and UV cured paints, inks and coatings
• Improve wetting of difficult substrates, such as wood, plastic and metal
• Little or no impact on the coefficient of friction/slip properties
• Recoatable
• 100% active; low VOC, solvent-free and BTX-free
• Effective at low addition levels (recommended 0.1 to 0.4% as supplied, based on total formulation)
• Easy-to-use, low viscosity liquids
• Enable minimization of raw material portfolio

Making an informed choice of superwetter

Dow understands that every formulation is different. By providing more information about structure, end capping and hydrophilicity/HLB, Dow seeks to improve the quality of wetting additive choices. All four products in this DOWSIL™ Superwetter family are 100% silicone polyether copolymers and are characterized by being usable in both waterborne and UV coatings formulations, offering recoatability and a high level of consistency across different types of binders.

In addition:

Key features of DOWSIL™ 501W Additive

Besides excellent wetting performance at low addition levels, DOWSIL™ 501W Additive can be used where specific Regulatory Compliance is needed.

Performance with regulatory compliance

One hundred percent silicone polyether copolymers and solventfree technology mean no contribution to VOC when using these additives. All substances intentionally formulated in DOWSIL™ 501W Additive are listed in the Swiss ordinance RS 817.023.21.

High performance at low use levels

DOWSIL™ 67 Additive, DOWSIL™ 500W Additive, DOWSIL™ 501W Additive and DOWSIL™ 502W Additive provide excellent wetting performance at low addition levels with little or no influence on slip. In a waterborne PUD-based flooring coating, for example, all four additives provide excellent wetting performance versus competitive organic and silicone wetting additives over different substrates. The toolbox approach also enables formulators to choose the right product for a specific application, while at the same time reducing the number of products they must maintain in their raw material portfolios. The superior performance can be measured in multiple waterborne coatings by the surface appearance and coefficient of friction.

Figure 1: Surface appearance and slip properties of a waterborne, PUD-based wood coating with the addition of DOWSIL™ 67 Additive, DOWSIL™ 500W Additive, DOWSIL™ 501W Additive and DOWSIL™ 502W Additive. Additives were added at 0.2 weight percent in the total formulation.

Figure 2: Surface appearance and slip properties of a waterborne, acrylic-based wood coating with the addition of DOWSIL™ 67 Additive, DOWSIL™ 500W Additive, DOWSIL™ 501W Additive and DOWSIL™ 502W Additive. Additives were added at 0.2 weight percent in the total formulation.

Figure 3: Application over oily substrates is improved with the use of any of the products in the DOWSIL™ Superwetter family tested at 0.2 wt% addition levels in waterborne flexographic gravure ink.