Silicone and acrylate additives are typically used in combination in standard coating formulations. Acrylate additives improve the flow and leveling of a coating system while the silicone additives enhance substrate wetting and prevent cratering. The right choice of additive and the right dosage are essential for a well-balanced performance.

BYK®-3550 is based on a novel, state-of-the-art technology. This macromer technology opens up a new product profile, since it provides properties that can only be achieved by means of innovative chemistry. The new BYK-3550 additive is a silicone macromer-modified polyacrylate, which incorporates both acrylate and silicone characteristics in a single additive.

BYK-3550 shows different shaped performances, depending on the nature of the respective system’s polarity. In high-polarity coatings, the additive brings about a massive reduction in surface tension, therefore providing good substrate wetting with no significant reduction of the dry surface energy. Its negligible influence on surface energy, for example, avoids ghosting effects in automotive coatings when recoated and leads to a better adhesion of wrap guard foils and adhesives on finished cars.

The efficient silicone part provides good anti-crater properties without increasing surface slip. The acrylate backbone provides excellent leveling. In non-polar coatings such as alkyd paints, conventional anti-blocking silicone additives often have a negative influence on recoatability. Due to its long acrylate chain, BYK-3550 offers superb recoatability and leveling in combination with strong anti-blocking properties.

The main application fields for BYK-3550 are automotive, industrial, wood and architectural coatings.

For more information, visit www.byk.com.