Collaborative innovation of leveling agents and wetting agents in green coating systems

With the increasingly strict environmental regulations, water-based and high solid content green coating systems have put forward higher requirements for additives. Leveling agents and wetting agents, as key additives in coating formulations, have a synergistic effect that directly affects the surface quality, application performance, and environmental characteristics of coatings.

In the coating industry, leveling agents and wetting agents are important additives for improving the surface properties of coatings. Leveling agents reduce surface tension gradients, eliminate defects such as orange peel and shrinkage, and improve coating flatness. Wetting agents reduce the contact angle between the liquid and the substrate, enhance the spreading ability of the coating on the substrate, and prevent fish eyes or shrinkage.   

In traditional solvent based coatings, the synergistic effect of leveling agents and wetting agents has become relatively mature. However, in green coatings, traditional additives have faced significant challenges due to environmental laws and regulations. Therefore, how to optimize the synergistic effect of the two to improve coating performance while meeting environmental requirements has become a current research hotspot.

Traditional additives rely on petroleum based raw materials, while bio based additives can reduce carbon footprint. Nanomaterials can enhance the permeability of wetting agents and improve the migration uniformity of leveling agents. Traditional additives require the addition of wetting agents and leveling agents separately, while new composite additives can integrate the two functions and reduce formulation complexity.   

The collaborative innovation of leveling agents and wetting agents in green coating systems not only needs to meet environmental regulations, but also needs to optimize dynamic surface tension balance, compatibility, and action timing. The application of bio based materials, nanotechnology, and multifunctional composite additives can significantly improve coating performance and promote the sustainable development of the coating industry.