When we use additives, we often use wetting agent, dispersant, leveling agent these three additives. But a lot of people don't know what the difference is between these three things. Today we are going to analyze their main role!
(1) wetting agent, wetting agent is a surfactant, can reduce the interfacial tension between solid and liquid, so that the solid surface is easier to be wet by liquid.
Wetting agent not only has the external condition of low surface tension, but also must have the internal condition, that is, its own molecular structure has a very good affinity for some inorganic or organic matter, only reducing the surface tension is not enough to produce wetting of the material.
(2) dispersant is also a surfactant, an interfacial surfactant with two opposite properties of lipophilic and hydrophilic at the same time in the molecule. Can uniformly disperse those inorganic, organic pigment solid and liquid particles that are difficult to dissolve in liquid, but also to prevent the sedimentation and condensation of particles, mainly to play a dispersive role.
In ordinary use, dispersant and wetting agent are used together, through the wetting effect of wetting agent, lead dispersant into the gap of particles, separated by dispersant particles. So dispersants generally have wetting effects, often referred to as "wetting dispersants".
(3) leveling agent and wetting agent are different additives, leveling agent can make the coating in the dry film forming process to form a flat, smooth, uniform film. Can effectively reduce the surface tension of the film, improve its leveling and uniformity of a class of substances.
Silicone leveling agent has good wetting effect and is often referred to as "wetting leveling agent".