Coatings Systems

We develop specialty additives by understanding the formulation system used in various applications. We translate the needs of such systems into our particle attribute to provide the right solution for our customers.

Paints and coatings are used to protect and beautify a wide variety of surfaces. The substrate used, performance required and application environment dictates the choice of resin or binder. Some of the major resins by chemistry are:

• Epoxy resins have excellent film building, mechanical and chemical properties.
• Alkyd resins are suitable for interior, exterior, underground as well as underwater applications. They have good moisture and damage resistance. However, they tend to take a longer process time.
• Polyurethane resins have high resistance to corrosion and weathering.
• Acrylic resins are quick-drying, high-gloss finish, and long-lasting color retention. On the negative side, they tend to have lower corrosion resistance.

In addition to resin, additives and pigments, coatings also contain a liquid to dissolve or disperse formulation components and make coating application easy. This liquid is water (water-based coatings) or an organic solvent (solvent-based coatings). The actual film forming content of such liquid systems ranges between 30 ~ 60%, the rest of the content is exhausted into the atmosphere or wasted. Powder coatings, on the other hand, are 100% solid. As a result, more then 90% of the material ends up being applied to the final part. They have the lowest level of emission because they do not contain any solvent. However, elevated temperatures are typically required to cure and crosslink such a system, which can make them unsuitable for some applications.