March 15, 2023
Evonik's Coating Additives business line is expanding its TEGO Flow series with a polyacrylate-based levelling agent. TEGO Flow 380 is suitable for solvent-borne coatings, especially clear coats. It is characterized by excellent anti-popping properties and good compatibility. The main applications are automotive and general industrial coatings.
TEGO Flow 380 consists of 100 per cent active matter content and is based on a unique polymer technology. “The key here is controlled incompatibility,” said Maximilian Morin, head of the industrial and transportation coatings market segment for Evonik.
Some degree of incompatibility with the paint is important for levelling performance, but too much can cause surface defects such as decrease in gloss or haze. “With TEGO Flow 380, we have balanced the incompatibility, resulting in an excellent performance,” said Morin.
In addition, the new levelling agent supports recoat-ability, which is especially important for automotive refinish applications. And because of its low viscosity, TEGO Flow 380 is particularly easy to incorporate into the formulation.
“It can be used directly; dilution is not necessary,” said Michael Wang, Applied Research & Technology - Industrial & Transportation Coatings.
In addition, the new product is particularly sustainable as it shows excellent performance even at low dosages and it emits low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), which makes it attractive for high-solids formulations due to its very low viscosity impact.