Innovative Technologies and Techniques for Enhancing the Application of Architectural Coatings

摘要

Obtaining a smooth, uniform paint finish with a minimum number of coats is an ongoing consumer demand in the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) market segment of architectural paints and coatings. In the white and pastel formulation space, minimizing coats has traditionally relied on maximizing intrinsic hide in the laboratory as measured by the Contrast Ratio of a uniform draw down. Polymeric hiding technologies offer an effective route to increased intrinsic hide, while controlling the use of titanium dioxide (TiO_2). Relying on this method alone, however, overlooks the impact of rheology and application on applied hide and final appearance. Newly introduced hydrophobically modified ethylene oxide urethane (HEUR) rheology modifiers offer performance properties that can enhance applied hide. Even greater gains in the cost-efficiency and performance balance can be achieved by looking at the collective impact of polymeric hiding technologies, rheology modifier technologies and roller application. By using these raw materials and formulating techniques to maximize film thickness and uniformity, other properties can also be improved. Film characterization tools, formulation options, and quantitative demonstrations on the impact of raw material choice and film uniformity to achieve the desired hiding and performance benefits will be discussed.