Wetting agents play a crucial role in coatings, with their main functions reflected in the following aspects:
1、 Improving the wetting and leveling properties of coatings, wetting agents can reduce the surface tension or interfacial tension of coating liquids, increasing their fluidity. This helps to reduce the formation of particles in the coating process, thereby avoiding defects such as unevenness, spots, and hollowing on the coating surface, and improving the quality of the coating. Wetting agents can significantly improve the wetting and spreading properties of coatings on substrates, ensuring that coatings can evenly and smoothly cover the surface of substrates, forming a continuous coating film. This is of great significance for improving the adhesion of coatings, enhancing the smoothness and flatness of coatings.
2、 To enhance the adhesion and durability of the coating, the substrate wetting agent has been optimized specifically to improve the adhesion of the primer to the substrate. By improving the surface tension and permeability of the coating, wetting agents can better penetrate into the tiny pores of the substrate, forming a strong mechanical anchoring effect and enhancing the adhesion of the coating. Wetting agents can maintain the lubricity and adhesion of coatings before they form a dry layer, maximizing their wear resistance. This not only helps to extend the service life of the coating, but also reduces maintenance costs caused by coating peeling, cracking, and other issues.
3、 Promoting the dispersion and stability of pigments and fillers, wetting and dispersing agents not only improve the wetting properties of coatings, but also effectively disperse particles such as fillers and pigments. This helps to reduce the coagulation and settling of pigments, ensuring that the coating maintains a uniform dispersion during storage and use. Wetting dispersants can stabilize dispersions, reduce the possibility of flocculation, and improve the repeatability and stability of coatings under different construction conditions. This is crucial for improving the construction performance and final quality of coatings.
4、 By changing the characteristics and improving the performance of the coating, enhancing wear resistance and corrosion resistance, wetting agents can enhance the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the coating surface by altering its surface activity and water absorption. This is of great significance for improving the service life of coatings in harsh environments. In some cases, wetting agents can also affect the transparency and density of coatings by altering their liquid form. Although this effect may not be present in all wetting agents, it plays an important role in improving the appearance quality and performance of coatings in certain specific coating formulations.
In summary, the role of wetting agents in coatings is multifaceted. They can not only improve the wetting and leveling properties of coatings, enhance their adhesion and durability, but also promote the dispersion and stability of pigments and fillers, change the characteristics of coatings, and improve their performance. Therefore, selecting appropriate wetting agents and using them correctly in coating formulations is of great significance for improving the overall performance and quality of coatings.