Film Forming / Coalescing Agents for Coatings and Inks

Dapro® FX 511 by Elementis is a low odor coalescing agent. It is a strong solvent and plasticizer for polymeric particles which are based on polyacrylics, polystyrene-acrylics, polyvinyl acetates and other commonly used homo-, co- and terpolymeric dispersions.

• It is added to latex, plaster and dispersion paints in order to reduce the minimum film formation temperature and to facilitate the coalescence of the polymeric dispersion particles during drying.
• Dapro® FX 511 improves the scrub resistance of normal and high-loaded dispersion paints.
• Recommended dosage level is 0.2-2%.
• It has a shelf life of 3 years.

Luna-nol C-12 distributed by DKSH is a water-based coalescent and retarder solvent. It can enhance the performance properties of the paint and shows good film forming properties.

• It is designed for use in coatings such as architectural, automotive OEM (electrodeposition primers) and can and floor polishes.
• It is suitable for general industrial-, industrial maintenance-, marine- and industrial wood- & transportation coating applications.
• It is recommended for emulsion polymer systems like latex paints, coil coatings and baking enamels.
• It can be used in graphic arts & printing inks (lithographic and letterpress oil-based inks).
• It is available in USA, Europe and Asia/Pacific regions.

Luna-nol C-16 distributed by DKSH is an efficient, low-odor coalescent for all types of latex paints to enhance performance properties including low temperature coalescence, touch-up, and scrub resistance. It should be added in the letdown stage after the mill-base is finished.

• It is not classified as a VOC according to European Union Decopaint Directive 2004/42/EC.
• Recommended dosage level is 1-3% of the solid content of the latex polymer.
• Luna-nol C-16 is available in USA, Europe and Asia/Pacific regions.

Butyl Diglycol by BASF is diethylene glycol monobutyl ether [2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol]. Acts as a solvent and flow promoter. Exhibits low-volatility, high boiling point and mild odor. Provides compatibility with urea, melamine, phenol and epoxy resins. Butyl Diglycol reduces the tendency to blistering and improves leveling. Is miscible with many common solvents including aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, glycols, glycol ethers and water. Used for baking finishes, coil coating lacquers and moisture-set printing inks.

Solvenon® DPnB by BASF is a colorless, relatively hardly volatile, low odor solvent. It is mixture of dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether and butoxy dipropanol. It has both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. Due to its molecular weight and plasticizing effect, it is an excellent film forming agent in acrylate, styrol acrylate and polyvinyl acetate dispersions. Solvenon® DPnB is recommended for use in solvent-based coatings.

Butyl Diglycol Acetate by BASF acts as a solvent, leveling agent and coalescent. It is diethylene glycol n-butyl ether acetate [2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate]. Exhibits compatibility with numerous resins, dyes, waxes, fats and oils. Improves the flow out of many finishes, even in low concentrations. Hydrolyzes slowly in the presence of water but more rapidly in alkaline and acid media. May react with atmospheric oxygen to form peroxides. Exhibits free miscibility with most common organic solvents but limited miscibility with water. Butyl Diglycol Acetate lowers the initial viscosity of PVC plastisols to facilitate processing. Used for paints and lacquers (including emulsion paints and textured finishes) and printing inks (screen printing inks), dyes in wood stains and furniture polishes.

Lusolvan® FBH by BASF acts as a coalescing and scrub resistance agent. It is a mild odor, VOC-free, dicarbonic acid-diisobutyl ester. It offers outstanding efficiency and improved wet scrub resistance. It is recommended for interior- & exterior paints, textured finishes, wood coatings & gloss paints. Lusolvan® FBH is suitable for roof coatings.

Loxanol® OT 5853 by BASF is a coalescing agent.

• It is an aqueous dispersion of the oleochemical compound.
• It is a highly efficient open-time prolonger.
• It prevents reduced cracking in resin-based plasters and provides improved storage stability.
• It is suitable for the water-based system.
• Loxanol® OT 5853 is recommended for low-VOC systems.
• It is used in plasters, exterior and elastic paints.
• Recommended dosage level is 0.2 – 2.0 % calculated on total formulation.

Loxanol® CA 5315 by BASF is a low odor, low VOC, highly efficient coalescing agent. It is suitable for waterborne coating applications. It reduces the required temperature to form a homogeneous film for a given latex.

• It offers broad compatibility and shows low to no impact on coating hardness, block resistance and film softness.
• It controls viscosity in low VOC coatings and provides excellent tint strength & color acceptance.
• Loxanol® CA 5315 is designed for interior- & exterior paints, textured finishes, architectural-, elastomeric-, industrial- and wood coatings.
• The recommended dosage level is 0.5-10% on polymer solids depending on the polymer MFFT.

Loxanol® CA 5310 by [supplier} is an emission-free coalescent developed for coatings formulations.

• It offers improved scrub resistance and good low-temperature cure.
• It exhibits low odor, non-yellowing characteristics and higher gloss values.
• It possesses improved rheology modifier efficiency.
• It imparts good color acceptance, color development.
• Loxanol® CA 5310 is used in architectural coatings, industrial coatings, construction and building products.
• The recommended dosage level is 1-2% based on total paint.