Solvent-borne, Speciality Additive, Wetting & Levelling Agent

VP 7358 Acrylate Levelling agent

The 7358 Acrylate Levelling Agent is a high-performance, non-silicone surface additive specifically engineered for solvent-borne coating systems. Formulated as a modified polyacrylate polymer, this agent functions by optimizing the surface tension gradient across the coating film during the drying and curing phases. Unlike silicone-based alternatives, 7358 provides exceptional levelling and flow without compromising intercoat adhesion or inducing surface defects like cratering or “fish-eyes.” It effectively mitigates common film irregularities such as orange peel and brush marks, ensuring a high-gloss, mirror-like finish. Its chemical stability allows it to remain effective across various resin chemistries, including polyurethanes, epoxies, and alkyds. By promoting uniform substrate wetting and regulating the evaporation rate at the air-liquid interface, it facilitates the escape of entrapped air. This additive is indispensable for industrial applications where aesthetic precision and structural integrity are paramount, offering a robust solution for achieving superior surface topography in demanding high-solids and conventional coating formulations.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Superior Levelling Performance: Drastically reduces “orange peel” effects and surface waviness by evening out surface tension gradients.
Non-Silicone Composition: Eliminates risks of intercoat adhesion failure and allows for easy overpainting or recoating without intensive sanding.
Clarity and Gloss: Enhances the Depth of Image (DOI) and maintains high transparency in clearcoat applications without haze.
Broad Compatibility: Demonstrates excellent solubility in a wide range of polar and non-polar solvent-borne resin systems.
Defoaming Synergy: Assists in the release of micro-bubbles and prevents pinholing during high-speed application processes.
Thermal Stability: Maintains functional integrity during high-temperature industrial baking cycles.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Chemical Nature: Solution of a modified polyacrylate polymer.
Active Content: Formulated at 50% to 70% non-volatile matter in aromatic or ester-based solvent carriers.
Refractive Index: Precision-matched to standard resin systems to ensure optical purity in high-gloss topcoats.
Density: Approximately 0.95–1.05 g/cm³ at 25°C, allowing for rapid and uniform incorporation.
Low Acid Value: Typically <3 mg KOH/g, ensuring zero interference with acid-catalyzed curing mechanisms or metallic pigments.
Effective Dosage: Highly efficient at concentrations between 0.1% and 1.0% based on total formulation weight.
Appearance: Clear to slightly yellowish liquid.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Automotive Coatings: Essential for OEM basecoats and clearcoats to achieve a premium, defect-free “Class A” finish.
Industrial Finishes: Utilized in machinery and heavy equipment coatings for robust surface protection and aesthetic consistency.
Wood Coatings: Enhances flow and levelling in solvent-based furniture lacquers and high-performance UV-curable wood finishes.
Coil and Container: Provides uniform film formation in high-speed roller coating applications for metal packaging and siding.
Plastic Coatings: Improves wetting on low-energy plastic substrates for consumer electronics and automotive interiors.
Protective Coatings: Applied in marine and anti-corrosive systems to ensure a pinhole-free, continuous protective barrier.