Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Finishing News
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to Newsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • Finishing Articles
    • Finishing Technologies
    • Finishing Equipment
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to Newsletters
  • SIGN UP!
Paint and Coatings AdditivesArchitectural Coatings

New Low-VOC Coalescents for Exterior Coatings

Dibenzoate Technology - A Viable Alternative

By William Arendt, Rebecca Hanes, Emily McBride
Low-VOC slide1
Low-VOC figure 1
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC figure 2
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC figure 3
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC table 1
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC figure 4
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC table 2
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC figure 5
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC figure 6
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC figure 7
Credit: Emerald Performance Materials
Low-VOC slide1
Low-VOC figure 1
Low-VOC figure 2
Low-VOC figure 3
Low-VOC table 1
Low-VOC figure 4
Low-VOC table 2
Low-VOC figure 5
Low-VOC figure 6
Low-VOC figure 7
July 3, 2013

References

  1. Butt, J.; Joshi, M.;Strepka, A. Film-Forming Aid to Minimize Volatile Organic Content in Exterior Applications, Proceedings of the 37th Waterborne, High-Solids and Powder Coatings Symposium, New Orleans, LA, 2010, 31-45.
  2. Arendt, W.; McBride, E. New Dibenzoate Plasticizer/Coalescent Blends for Low-VOC Coating Formulations, Proceedings of the 38th Waterborne, High-Solids and Powder Coatings Symposium, 2011, 419-429.
  3. Arendt, W.; McBride, E. New Dibenzoate Plasticizer/Coalescent Blend for Low-VOC Coating Formulations, Coatings Tech2011, 8, 26-33.
  4. Arendt, W.; Hanes, R.; McBride, E. New Plasticizer and Coalescent for Graphics Applications, Proceedings of the 39th Waterborne, High-Solids and Powder Coatings Symposium, 2012, 442-457.
  5. Arendt, W.; Hanes, R.; McBride, E. Advances in Low-VOC Coalescent, PCI, 2012, 28, No. 8, 40-44.
  6. Arendt, W.; McBride, E.; Hanes, R. Low VOC Tri-dibenzoate Blend in Exterior Coatings and Interior Paint Based on Harder Acrylic Polymers, Presentation at the Cleveland Coatings Society Sink or Swim Conference, June 4-5, 2012.
  7. Arendt, W.; McBride, E.; Hanes, R. Low VOC Tri-dibenzoate Blend in Exterior Coatings and Interior Paint Based on Harder Acrylic Polymers, Presentation at the Coatings Trends and Technologies Conference, September 11-12, 2012.
  8. RHOPLEX™ VSR-50, Product Data Sheet for Rohm and Haas, Feb 2008.
  9. RHOPLEX™ MULTILOBE (ML 200), Product Data Sheet for Dow.

 

APPENDIX 1 » Exterior paint formulation used in the evaluation.

Acrylic flat

Ingredient Type Chemical Name/Class Pounds
Water Dihydrogen oxide 254
Thickener Hydroxyethylcellulose, glyoxal treated 3
Propylene glycol 1,2-propanediol 16
Surfactant Nonionic surfactant, HLB = 12.6/dispersant 1
Defoamer Oil-based defoamer 2
Dispersant Sodium salt of maleic anhydride copolymer 14
Pigment Titanium dioxide (rutile) 200
Extender Sodium-potassium alumina silicate 140
Extender Diatomaceous earth alumino-silicate 20
In-can preservative 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one/ microbicide 2
Biocide 4,5-dichloro-2-N-octyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone/fungicide,algicide 6
em>Grind    
Let down:    
Polymer8 Acrylic emulsion, Tg 9 ºC/emulsion 360
Polymer Opaque polymer, particle size: 0.4 microns 66
Coalescent Plasticizer 8/td>
Surfactant Nonionic surfactant/HLB = 12.6 0.5
Defoamer Oil-based defoamer 2/td>
Thickener Nonionic HEUR/thickener 3
Total   1108

 

Acrylic semigloss

Ingredient Type Chemical Name/Class Pounds
Water Dihydrogen oxide 65
Dispersant Hydrophobic copolymer/pigment dispersant 13
Surfactant Sulfosuccinate/anionic surfactant 2
Defoamer Polysiloxanes, 0 VOC/silicone defoamer 0.5
Pigment Titanium dioxide (rutile) 225
Filler Hydrous aluminum silicate, particle size=0.2 microns/extender 10
In-can preservative 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one/ microbicide 2
Grind    
Letdown    
Polymer 7 Acrylic emulsion, Tg 12 ºC 484
Polymer Opaque polymer, particle size: 0.4 microns 43
Plasticizer/coalescent Plasticizer 4
Surfactant Nonionic surfactant, HLB = 12.6/wetting aid 1
Defoamer Polysiloxane 1
Propylene glycol 1,2-propanediol 7
Ammonia (28%) 28% ammonium hydroxide aqueous 2
Thickener Nonionic HEUR 17
Thickener Nonionic HEUR 4
Biocide 20% IPBC (3-iodo-2-propynyl-n-butylcarbamate)/fungicide 8
Water Dihydrogen oxide 154
Total   1040

 

 

APPENDIX 2 »Test methods employed.

Test Reference/Method
pH ASTM E70
Stormer viscosity ASTM D562
ICI viscosity ASTM D4287
Contrast ratio, reflectance, and CIE values ASTM D2805, E97, D2244 – 3 mil wet film over a Leneta 3B chart dried for 5 days. Contrast ratio is reflectance of black over reflectance over white.
Gloss and sheen ASTM D2243
Low-temperature coalescence Paint and equipment conditioned at 40 °F for 2 h. Paint drawn down on a Leneta Form 3B to 6 mils wet. The films were dried horizontal for 24 h and rated (10= Excellent, 0= Very poor).
Flow and leveling ASTM D4062
Dry adhesion ASTM D3359B
Wet adhesion ASTM D6900
Early blister ASTM D714
Accelerated dirt pick up A paint sample was applied by 3 mil drawdown on an aluminum Q36 panel. The panel was allowed to dry overnight before placing in the QUV chamber for 7 days of exposure. The top half of the panel was covered and synthetic dirt (brown iron oxide dispersion) spread evenly over the uncovered portion. The panel was placed in a 120° oven for 30 min, removed from the oven and the loose dirt was removed by tapping on the panel. The top portion of the panel was uncovered. The % Y reflectance of the tested part and the untested part were read. The % Y reflectance retained was reported. The higher the %, the better the dirt pick up resistance.
Blocking resistance ASTM D4946
Scrubbability ASTM D2486
Exterior panel preparation Yellow Southern pine was used; application was at a natural spread rate of 400 square feet per gallon. South 45° and 90° panels self primed, two coats. North 90° the wood was primed with a waterborne acrylic primer and two coats of experimental paints. Two ounces of phthalo blue colorant were added to each paint. The 4 mils wet colored paint was applied to aluminum panels.
KEYWORDS: coalescents Low-VOC Paint and Coatings

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

William Arendt, Emerald Performance Materials
Hanes is a Applications Chemist for Emerald Kalama Chemical
Emily McBride, Emerald Performance Materials

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • pci1022-Kinaltek-Lead-1170.jpg

    A Novel Pigment Production Technology

    Following an extensive R&D program that demonstrated...
    Paint and Coating Pigments
    By: Jawad Haidar and Nitin Soni
  • pci global top 10

    2025 Global Top 10: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    The following is PCI’s annual ranking of the top 10...
    Paint and Coating Market Reports
    By: Courtney Bassett
  • 2025 pci 25

    2025 PCI 25: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    PCI's annual ranking of the top 25 North American paint...
    Global Top 10 and PCI 25
    By: Courtney Bassett
Previous 1 2 Next
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the PCI audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of PCI or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • colorful building exterior
    Sponsored byDow

    Insights into Exterior Architectural Coating Degradation: Bridging Accelerated and Natural Weathering

  • digital pigments
    Sponsored bySiltech

    The Fourth Dimension of Silicon: Siltech Q Resins

Popular Stories

Company News

What the AkzoNobel–Axalta Merger Means for the Future of Coatings

AkzoNobel and Axalta Headquarters

AkzoNobel and Axalta Announce $25 Billion Merger

Wacker logo

WACKER Plans More Than 1,500 Job Cuts



PCI Buyers Guide

Submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to suppliers of your choice with details on what you need with a click of a button

Start your RFP

Browse our Buyers Guide for manufacturers and distributors of all types of coatings products and much more!

Find Suppliers

Events

September 4, 2025

N-Butylpyrrolidone (NBP) as a Green Solvent to Replace N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in Industrial Coating Applications

ON DEMAND: EPA published a regulation proposal around N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in June 2024 to ban or limit NMP in many applications, such as paints and coatings and their removers. N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP) is a powerful and versatile solvent for a variety of industries looking for alternatives to substance of very high concern (SVHC)-listed solvents.

March 24, 2026

The Manufacturing & Automation eXchange (MAX)

MAX presents a rare opportunity to observe the full scope of manufacturing in one environment. From systems integration and materials handling to automation, quality, safety, and packaging, each discipline is represented through live, operational displays. By experiencing these technologies side by side, as they are on actual production floors, attendees gain a grounded understanding of how manufacturing functions align, overlap, and evolve in practice.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Longest-running laboratory experiment

What is the longest-running laboratory experiment?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Automotive Paints and Coatings, 2nd Edition

Automotive Paints and Coatings, 2nd Edition

Now in its second edition and still the only book of its kind, this is an authoritative treatment of all stages of the coating process.

See More Products
pci voices from the top ebook

PCI webinar

Related Articles

  • pci0917-Emerald-504067478-900.jpg

    Blend Optimization of Low-VOC Benzoate Coalescents

    See More
  • pci0812-EM-open-422.jpg

    Advances in Low-VOC Coalescent Technology

    See More
  • Low-Odor, VOC-Free Renewable Coalescents for Latexes Used in Very Low-VOC Paints

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • intelligent.jpg

    Intelligent Coatings for Corrosion Control 1st Edition

  • Kevin-Biller-PC-BOOK.jpg

    Powder Coatings - Foundation for the Novice Formulator (ebook)

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • April 23, 2025

    A New Multi-Functional Silicone Emulsion for Durable Exterior Architectural Coatings

    On Demand We will focus on how this functional silicone additive can enhance coating performance over time, without sacrificing other desired properties such as incompatibility, surface blooming and poor dirt pickup that is seen with traditional silicone polymer-based additives.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Manufacturing Division
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing