Additive Commonalities, Forming Complex Network Structures, and Additives' Influence on Film Forming
Additives are employed to modify the performance of coatings and enhance specific application and dry-film-performance properties. For instance, waxes can improve scuff resistance whilst silicone oils and fatty acids enhance slip and anti-blocking characteristics. For UV systems, the absorption of light by additives (e.g., pigments) has to be minimized in the frequency range required to start the polymerization reactions. The main types of additives that are used in coatings, adhesives or inks include fillers, pigments, adhesion promoters, flatting agents, wetting agents, slip aids, and stabilizers (e.g., antioxidants and photo-stabilizers).