There is a growing need across the global coatings industry to simplify formulations, improve manufacturing efficiency and enhance coating performance. Dow Corning is showcasing recent innovations and proven solutions designed to address these issues at Booth 1935 (Univar) and Booth 2547 (Nexeo Solutions) to answer questions and explore solutions to specific coatings challenges.

The challenge is to achieve all three without upsetting the delicate balance of the formulation. Dow Corning is helping formulators and manufacturers meet this challenge with enabling silicon-based technologies that deliver multiple benefits and solve processing problems while minimizing potential negative impacts.

“Multifunctional additives can simplify coating formulations and reduce raw material requirements. This, in turn, can improve manufacturing and formulating efficiency,” said Dow Corning Technical Specialist Guy Beck. “The trick is to provide as many favorable characteristics as possible without negatively impacting other important coating benefits.”

Dow Corning^® 52 Additive illustrates the point. Designed to customize slip and improve scratch and abrasion resistance in water-based wood coatings, the product also offers blocking resistance, improves sandability and provides a good hand feel. Plus, it delivers these benefits with no impact on the recoatability, intercoat adhesion, water resistance or surface hardness of the cured coating.

Dow Corning Associate Scientist Gerald Witucki said, “Tightening regulations are dictating formulation changes – including the use of new binders with lower VOC content and higher performance – that can limit foam-control choices. While silicone foam-control agents perform well in these modern formulations, many traditional defoamers may not.”

To further complicate matters, industry globalization is driving manufacturers to consolidate raw materials across product lines. “This creates efficiencies in purchasing, inventory control and manufacturing,” Witucki said. “But it also intensifies the need for more versatile foam-control agents that can perform effectively in multiple systems.”