This article addresses some of the key challenges associated with formulating resins at high solids levels and outlines the potential for Michael addition chemistry to raise coatings solids levels to new heights. This topic is relevant because reducing emissions (without increasing the CO2 footprint) is a critical sustainability pillar for the coatings industry.
First, a bit of discussion as to the problems associated with high-solids coatings systems. Arguably, the three most relevant parameters are viscosity, solids and hardness. Viscosity is perhaps the simplest to address, as it is intuitive that adding solvent reduces the viscosity of paint and that to increase the solids of a paint one needs to reduce solvent content. All things being equal, reducing solvent content raises paint viscosity, leading directly to application issues (atomization, flow, leveling, etc.). It is difficult to apply paint that has the consistency of mud, isn’t it? Leaving aside options like switching to lower-oil-absorbing pigments or stronger solvents, one immediately looks to the resin in the coating for an answer.