The uses and advantages that ceramic microspheres offer architectural coatings applications are well documented and constantly expanding with the introduction of new additives and binder technologies. These spherical, hard particles offer formulators opportunities to lower binder demand and control viscosity and VOCs while increasing burnish and scrub resistance. The industrial coatings market is another large market segment that is being driven toward zero-VOC coatings with improved performance properties. This application study involves the evaluation of spherical ceramic microspheres and hollow glass bubbles versus other conventional fillers in a high-solids, two-part epoxy coating.
Epoxy finishes are often used for their excellent chemical and stain resistance properties in addition to their overall film durability, which can include properties such as scratch and abrasion resistance. In two-component systems, one of the primary goals for formulators is to extend pot life and working time by looking for ways to keep the viscosity constant during application without having to add solvents, which negatively affect VOCs. The addition of solvent also decreases the percent solids and can affect application and dry time properties. This study evaluates various fillers and their effects on formulation parameters such as viscosity, and final film performance properties, such as hardness and abrasion resistance.