Although typically used only at amounts of 0.1% to 2% of the total formulation, pH neutralizers can have a dramatic impact on the overall performance of waterborne coatings. Depending on the formulation, manufacturers have several options for adjusting pH in their formulations.
The most commonly used inorganic neutralizers include ammonia and strong inorganic bases, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). While ammonia is an efficient neutralizer, it also has a strong odor, making it unsuitable for use in low-odor paint. Strong inorganic bases like KOH and NaOH are odorless, but result in coatings with poor scrub resistance and water resistance. The use of siliconates, which are less commonly used inorganic neutralizers, often result in loss of gloss and cause stability issues of the paint.