Select coating additives and binders by their role in the formulation: foam control, rheology, matting, pigment dispersion or film formation. This guide compares XYZTU product options and the trial information needed to evaluate them in your own coating system.
Describe the material system and application method together
When discussing emulsions, resins or functional additives, start with the existing system, substrate and application method. The same material category can serve different formulation goals.
- The current resin or emulsion system, and whether you need to replace or supplement a material.
- The coating method, equipment conditions and target surface.
- What you have observed and the performance you want to improve.
Organize requirements by the role of each material
| Material category | Discussion points |
|---|---|
| Emulsions and resins | System, substrate and intended use |
| Defoamers | Where foaming occurs, the observed behavior, system and process |
| Thickeners and rheology additives | Application method, rheology targets and system conditions |
This information helps organize a selection discussion. It does not establish that a particular material is suitable for your formulation. Refer to the relevant product documents and evaluate samples before making a final choice.
Include your testing goals in the inquiry
Provide test methods, reference samples and process constraints where available. These details help define the documents and samples you need more clearly than a request for only a defoamer or a thickener.
Selecting Defoamers for Coatings
Start with the coating medium and the foam observed during dispersion, mixing or application. Compare candidates under the same formulation, temperature and mixing conditions. Record both foam decay and dried-film appearance, including craters and other compatibility effects.
| Product | Selection priority |
|---|---|
| DF520 silicone emulsion defoamer | Cost-effective foam control in water-based coatings. The published 0.1-0.5% guidance is by total coating formulation mass. |
| DF2410 microfoam-control defoamer | Evaluate where small, persistent bubbles are the main concern; check compatibility in the intended system. |
| B199 high-viscosity-system defoamer | Evaluate in high-viscosity and high-build systems. |
| DF-1572 persistent silicone defoamer | Evaluate persistent foam suppression in acidic or alkaline waterborne systems. Coating-specific dosage must be established by trials. |
| DF-30 oil-based-system defoamer | Oil-based systems; do not assume it is interchangeable with waterborne options. |
Confirm the addition stage and lowest effective dosage for each formulation. Do not transfer one model’s dosage or dilution procedure to another. For DF-1572 pre-dilution, slowly add softened or deionized water to DF-1572, as stated in its corrected instructions.
Browse Defoamers for Coatings and DF-series technical documents.
Choosing Thickeners for Waterborne Paints
| Product and confirmed type | Points to check |
|---|---|
| TT-40 associative polymer thickener | Confirm formulation pH, dosage basis and mixing conditions. The available description does not establish a HEUR or HASE chemistry. |
| TT-60 alkali-swellable acrylic thickener | The instructions specify formulation pH 8-9 before addition; this differs from the as-supplied product pH. |
| TT-90 HASE rheology modifier | Evaluate medium-shear viscosity, flow and leveling; check the binder and formulation pH. |
For TT-60 and TT-90, retain the published dosage basis of product as supplied rather than the diluted mixture, and confirm whether the dilution ratio is by mass or volume. Record finished-paint low-, medium- and high-shear test methods separately from the supplied-product viscosity measurement.
Compare the thickener product range and TT-series English and Chinese TDS.
Evaluating Matting Agents in Waterborne Coatings
DA-32 acrylic polymer matting agent is a polymer additive, not a silica matting agent. DA32EC is used with DA-32 and is not presented as a standalone substitute. Compare DA-60 water-based matting agent against its own product data and formulation requirements.
Use the same resin, substrate, application and curing conditions for the control and trial coatings. Record film thickness, dosage as supplied, gloss measurement angle, instrument, measured gloss, surface appearance and settling observations. An unsupported statement such as high matting efficiency does not replace a comparison made under recorded conditions.
Browse matting agents for waterborne coatings and available DA-series technical documents.
Binder and Dispersion Selection
DP5040 sodium polycarboxylate dispersant is intended for pigment and filler dispersion in coatings. Confirm the dosage calculation basis before trials and record dispersion quality, viscosity, gloss and storage behavior.
LH-360 VAE binder for intumescent coatings is a binder ingredient, not a certified finished fire-protective coating. Assess performance in the complete coating system. For temporary protection, use the separate LT-106 peelable-coating trial checklist, including substrate, film thickness, drying, exposure and removal conditions.