Solvent-borne, Speciality Additive, Wetting & Levelling Agent

VP 7306 Wetting Levelling agent

The 7306 Wetting Levelling Agent is a high-performance, polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane copolymer designed to optimize surface dynamics in advanced coating systems. Engineered for high-speed industrial applications, this organo-modified silicone surfactant significantly reduces liquid surface tension, facilitating superior substrate wetting even on difficult, low-energy surfaces. Unlike conventional additives, 7306 balances foam stabilization with leveling efficiency, ensuring a defect-free finish across diverse film thicknesses. Its molecular architecture is tailored to provide exceptional slip, mar resistance, and anti-crater properties without compromising inter-coat adhesion. As a versatile additive, it functions effectively in solvent-borne, water-borne, and radiation-cured systems. By minimizing surface tension gradients—the Marangoni effect—it promotes a smooth, mirror-like topography. The 7306 agent is indispensable for formulators seeking to eliminate orange peel, fish-eyes, and pinholes. Its high compatibility and low dosage requirements make it a cost-effective solution for premium industrial coatings, automotive finishes, and high-performance architectural paints, ensuring total aesthetic and functional excellence. This additive delivers.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Superior Wetting: Dramatically lowers surface tension to ensure complete coverage on contaminated or low-energy substrates.
Enhanced Surface Slip: Improves scratch and mar resistance by providing a low-friction surface finish.
Anti-Crater Performance: Effectively prevents defects like fish-eyes and craters caused by airborne contaminants or substrate impurities.
Optimal Leveling: Promotes uniform flow and suppresses orange peel, resulting in high-gloss, mirror-like appearances.
Broad Compatibility: Highly compatible with acrylic, polyurethane, epoxy, and polyester resins in both water and solvent systems.
Inter-coat Adhesion: Designed to minimize recoatability issues, maintaining strong adhesion between multiple coating layers.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Chemical Identity: Polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane copolymer (Commonly associated with CAS No: 134180-76-0), ensuring long-term stability across temperature ranges.
Active Content: 100% active matter concentration, allowing for extremely low use levels (0.1% to 1.0%).
Solubility Profile: Readily soluble in alcohols, esters, ketones, and aromatic hydrocarbons; dispersible in aqueous environments.
Surface Dynamics: Specifically engineered to reduce static and dynamic surface tension to approximately 22–24 mN/m.
Thermal Stability: Maintains functional integrity during high-temperature baking processes up to 200°C.
Refractive Index: Optimized to ensure no haze or loss of clarity in clear-coat applications.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Automotive Coatings: Used in OEM and refinish clear-coats to achieve premium gloss and scratch resistance.
Industrial Finishes: Applied in wood coatings, plastic finishes, and metal protective layers for enhanced durability.
Printing Inks: Improves substrate wetting and dot gain in flexographic, gravure, and screen-printing ink formulations.
Radiation Cured Systems: Enhances flow and leveling in UV-curable coatings without interfering with the photo-polymerization process.
Architectural Paints: Facilitates smooth application and improves the scrub resistance of decorative interior and exterior emulsions.
Leather Finishing: Provides a soft-touch feel and improved water repellency in top-coat treatments.