There is no doubt — The perfect coating must look brilliant! But other properties of coatings are also of paramount importance. Coatings have to be durable, tough, and easy to apply. Additives are the key to success in achieving these characteristics, even though the amounts used in coatings formulations are small. It is not trivial to select the best additives. In practice, many series of tests are often necessary, and the results do not explain why a certain additive improves the quality of a coating whereas another one impairs its performance.

Additives for Coatings describes the effects which can be produced in various coatings by the use of a wide range of additives. Theoretical considerations are addressed, but the emphasis is on practical applications and end-use properties such as appearance and protection. It will answer the following questions: How do the most important groups of additives act? And, which effects can be achieved by their addition?

From the Preface: “...The primary goal of this book is to inform the coating technician who works with the formulation and application of coating materials such as paints, varnishes, inks, and related products, about the effects that can be obtained with additives. The main classes of additives and the advantages associated with their proper application in coating materials are emphasized...”

Target Audience: Developers and applicants of coatings working in research or production.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Basics

Thickeners

Surface-Active Agents

Additives for Surface Modification

Flow-Levelling and Coalescing Agents

Catalytically Active Additives

Additives for Special Functions

Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Management

Quality Assurance

Index