The wonderful effect of coating levelling agent addition on performance

The wonderful effect of coating levelling agent addition on performance

Coatings play an important role in our lives, from home decoration to industrial protection, and the amount of leveling agent added is one of the key factors that affect the final performance of the coating, just like the amount of seasoning during cooking affects the taste of the dish. Subtle yet crucial.

After the paint is applied, the ideal state is to form a flat, smooth and continuous coating film, which is the "mission" of the leveling agent. When a small amount of leveling agent is added, the surface tension of the paint may not be sufficiently reduced, and the spreading effect of the paint on the surface to be coated is poor. It's like trying to smooth a rough surface with a small amount of lubricant, and the result may still be tiny unevenness. At this time, the coating film is prone to shrinkage holes. These shrinkage holes are like craters on the surface of the moon. They not only affect the appearance, but may also reduce the protective performance of the coating, because the coating at the shrinkage holes is thinner and more susceptible to external erosion.

By appropriately increasing the amount of leveling agent, the paint can flow and spread better, the molecules are arranged more evenly, and small defects on the surface can be effectively filled, thereby significantly improving the flatness and gloss of the coating film. At this stage, the leveling properties of the paint reach a relatively ideal state, just like putting a smooth and flat "coat" on the surface of the object. Whether it is a decorative paint for indoor walls, it makes it look more beautiful and elegant. , or as a protective coating on industrial equipment, it can play an excellent role in enhancing its protective effect. For example, in car painting, the appropriate amount of leveling agent can make the car body paint surface as smooth as a mirror, improving the overall appearance quality of the car.

However, if the amount of leveling agent added exceeds the reasonable range, a series of negative effects will occur. Too much leveling agent may cause the viscosity of the paint to change and become too thin, which is prone to sagging during construction, just like an uncontrolled water flow flowing along the wall, which not only destroys the uniformity of the coating, but also may require additional construction steps to repair. Moreover, excessive leveling agent may also affect the drying speed of the paint and prolong the drying time of the coating, which is very unfavorable in some industrial coating scenarios with high production efficiency requirements. In addition, too much leveling agent may also reduce the adhesion between the paint and the surface of the coated object, making the coating easy to peel off, just like a sticker that is not firmly attached to the wall, which may fall off with a slight touch, thereby greatly shortening the service life of the paint.

There is a delicate balance line between the amount of leveling agent added and the performance of the paint. Paint manufacturers and construction personnel need to accurately grasp the amount of leveling agent added according to factors such as the type of paint, construction conditions, and the required film performance, so that the paint can play the best effect, bring high-quality coating protection and decorative effects to our lives and industrial production, and achieve a perfect combination between beauty and practicality.