1、Type of leveling agent

2、Influence on coating systems by adding different type leveling agent

2.1 Explanation of related terms

2.2 Foam stability：

Add additives in the coating system, the foaming conditions and defoaming speed after oscillation.
Compatibility：
Excellent compatibility shows that no turbidity and delaminating phenomenon when additives added to resin system.
Static Surface Tension：
The static surface tension is a measurement for wetting and spreading in the solid surface. The lower surface tension, the better substrate wetting and anti-cratering ability, as well as  faster leveling. 
Dynamic Surface Tension：
Dynamic surface tension(DST) measured with bubble tension meter, which is a typical parameter in application (such as spraying, rolling coating). It measures the surface active in the process of covering, namely, the spreading ability of additives from the solution to interface. The lower dynamic surface tension, the better leveling effect at the same time. 

Long&short wave：
①1~30mm wave, can be watched in 3m distance. Lower value, better long wave
leveling.
② 0.1~1mm wave, can be watched in less than 3m distance. Lower value, better short wave leveling.
DOI value：
Distinctness of image, shows the clearance of reflect gram. Higher value, better distinctness of image.
Gloss：
For high gloss products,higher gloss, better visual impression.
Friction Coefficient：
Friction coefficient (μd) measures the slip property. The lower value of friction coefficient, the better smooth feeling. Better smooth can provide excellent scratch resistance and improve blocking resistance.
Adhesion：
The firmness of the combination of the paint film and the surface of the coating.

2.2 Influence on coating systems by adding different type leveling agent

2.2.1 Effect to reduce static surface tension

2.2.2 Effect to reduce dynamic surface tension

2.2.3 Leveling speed

2.2.4 Effect to long-wave, short-wave

2.2.5 Effect to DOI and gloss

2.2.6 Effect to reduce kinetic friction coefficient of paint film surface

2.2.7 Performance summary of different leveling agents

Conclusion：Using different leveling agent alone has its limitations, collocate additive reasonable in accordance with the requirements could obtain more excellent film appearance. Different types of leveling agents have their own characteristics, which can be recommended according to specific requirements. For example, re-coating is considered in primer and intermediate coat, and silicon-free leveling agent with certain anti-shrinkage effect is generally recommended. However, mirror leveling effect is required in varnish or top coating. The single leveling agent is difficult to meet the requirements. Silicon-free and silicon leveling agents products can be reasonably matched to play a cooperative role.

2.3 Collocate additive reasonably to get mirror surface leveling property easily
2.3.1Effect to static surface tension with different additive collocation

2.3.2 Effect to dynamic surface tension with different additive collocation

2.3.3 Leveling speed

 

Sample A=Blank;    
Sample B=Silicon leveling agent+Polyacrylate leveling agent;  
Sample C=Silicon leveling agent+Fluorocarbon modified polyacrylate leveling agent; 
Sample D=Silicon leveling agent+Fluorine surfactant.

2.3.4 Effect to long-wave, short-wave

2.3.5 Effect to DOI and gloss

2.3.6 Effect to reduce kinetic friction coefficient of paint film surface with different additive collocation

Conclusion:
We can get conclusion as follows according a series of test data.
• To get mirror surface leveling property, the effect of different additive collocation is better than single use.
• Considering final results, effect of collocation with fluorine type products and silicon leveling agents is better than the collocation of acrylate type products and silicon leveling agent.
• Considering producing cost, collocation with acrylate type products and silicon leveling agent can also achieve good results, moreover it has great advantage in price. 

3.XOANONS^®Leveling agent application

Solvent-based
Primer and intermediate paint
Recommendation principle: Silicone leveling agent is generally not added to primer and intermediate coating systems, because it will affect the re-coating performance of the coating.

	Product type	model	note
1	Polyacrylate leveling agent	WE-D811CR/819C	Excellent leveling, no anti-shrinkage effect.
2	Fluorocarbon modifoed polyacrylate leveling agent	WE-D8773CR	Excellent compatibility, fast leveling speed and good anti-shrinkage ability.
3	Fluorocarbon modifoed polyacrylate leveling agent	WE-D8776CR	With better anti-shrinkage ability, it can be used in coil coating.
4	Fluorine surfactant	WE-D9013R	Among the silicon-free leveling agents, its anti-shrinkage ability is the strongest, which does not affect the re-coating property of the paint film.

Top varnish/color paint（Top coating）
Recommendation principle: Non silicon leveling agent (provide long wave leveling and improving orange peel phenomenon)+ Silicon leveling agent (provide slip, scratch resistant and gloss properties)

	Product type	model	note
1	Polyacrylate leveling agent	WE-D811CR/819C	Excellent leveling, no anti-shrinkage effect.
2	Fluorocarbon modifoed polyacrylate leveling agent	WE-D8773CR	Excellent compatibility, fast leveling speed and good anti-shrinkage ability.
3	Fluorine surfactant	WE-D8950BR	Good shrinkage resistance, excellent leveling, especially suitable for large area spraying
4	Polyether modified silicon leveling agent	WE-D5450/5433/ 5435/5405R	Provide slip and anti-shrinkage, increase gloss. WE-D5435 has better anti shrinkage effect than other products

UV system
Silicon leveling agent：
Polyether modified silicon leveling agent：XOANONS^®WE-D5457/5432/5410/5433/557
Reactive silicon leveling agent：XOANONS^®WE-D7220/7300/7500/7700
Compared with the conventional silicon leveling agent, the reactive silicon leveling agent has good durability because of the crosslinking and curing of acrylic group.
This series of products has excellent compatibility, followed by XOANONS^®WE-D7300, 7500 and 7700, XOANONS^®WE-D7220 has the best compatibility. Compared from the perspective of slip,  XOANONS^®WE-D7700 has the best performance, others are 7500, 7300 and 7220. Actual recommendation needs to be based on the specific requirements of customers

Silicon-free leveling agent：
Polyacrylate: XOANONS^®WE-D819C

Fluorocarbon modified polyacrylate: XOANONS^®WE-D8773CR