In the formulation design of coatings, inks, and various surface coatings, leveling agents serve as key additives to improve the appearance and performance of the coatings. Their quality directly affects the gloss, smoothness, wear resistance, and construction adaptability of the final products. Our company's product leveling agent 21057, as a polyether-modified polysiloxane leveling agent, boasts excellent wetting, smoothing, and wear resistance properties. It is suitable for various coating systems such as solvent-based, non-solvent-based, and water-based systems. It demonstrates significant performance advantages in enhancing gloss, aligning pigment and filler, and improving scratch resistance. It provides efficient and universal additive solutions for the coatings and inks industry.


I. Core Physical and Chemical Properties of the Product


Product leveling agent 21057 is a colorless to translucent liquid. At 25 degrees Celsius, its viscosity ranges from 200 to 500 square millimeters per second, with a refractive index of 1.430 to 1.440. The non-volatile content is greater than 97% at 220 degrees Celsius for two hours. The high non-volatile content means that the effective content of this product is high, and a small amount can achieve significant effects in the formula. The product may appear cloudy at low temperatures, but it will recover to clarity and transparency after heating. This physical change does not affect the product quality and performance.


II. Core Performance Advantages


Product leveling agent 21057 exhibits the following core performance advantages in coating and ink systems:


Excellent wetting performance. It can significantly reduce the surface tension of the coating, enhance the wetting ability on various substrates, and effectively prevent surface defects such as pinholes and fish eyes.


Good smoothing performance. It gives the coating a smooth and pleasant touch and appearance, improving the feel and visual effect of the coating.


Significant wear resistance and scratch resistance. It can enhance the surface hardness and scratch resistance of the coating, prolonging the service life and decorative effect of the coating.


Enhanced gloss and pigment alignment. It helps the uniform dispersion and directional arrangement of pigments and fillers in the coating, enabling the coating to achieve higher gloss and more uniform color performance.


Good re-coating performance. It does not adversely affect the re-coating adhesion of the coating, ensuring the interlayer bonding force of multi-layer coating.


III. Wide Application Areas


Product leveling agent 21057, with its multi-system applicability and excellent comprehensive performance, can play a key role in the following coating and ink application fields:


1. Solvent-based coating systems. In various solvent-based industrial coatings, automotive paints, wood coatings, and plastic coatings, product leveling agent 21057 can effectively improve the leveling, gloss, and scratch resistance of the coating. In automotive original paint and repair paint systems, this product helps achieve a mirror-like smooth and flat coating effect, reducing blemishes and waves, and enhancing the decorative and durability of the coating. In wood coatings, its excellent wetting and re-coating properties make the coating surface smooth and fine, with an excellent feel.


2. Non-solvent-based coating systems. In high-solid content coatings and powder coatings, product leveling agent 21057 can help overcome the inherent difficulties of high-viscosity systems in leveling, promoting full leveling of the coating before curing, and reducing surface defects, especially suitable for industrial protection and floor coatings with high environmental protection and coating performance requirements.


3. Water-based coating systems. In water-based wood coatings, water-based industrial coatings, and water-based architectural coatings, product leveling agent 21057 can effectively reduce the pinholes and leveling problems caused by high surface tension of water-based coatings, improve the smoothness and anti-sticking performance of the coating, and enhance the construction tolerance and coating quality of water-based coatings.


4. Ink systems. Among various solvent-based inks and water-based inks, product leveling agent 21057 can improve the printing adhesion and leveling properties of the ink, making the printed patterns more full and delicate, enhancing the glossiness, and simultaneously enhancing the wear resistance and scratch resistance of the ink film. It is suitable for various printing processes such as intaglio, flexo, screen, and offset printing.


V. UV Light-Curing Coatings and Inks. In the formulations of UV curing coatings and inks, product leveling agent 21057 can quickly wet the substrate, ensuring the smoothness and flatness of the cured film, improving the gloss and scratch resistance, and not affecting the UV curing rate and crosslink density. It is suitable for UV wood coatings, UV plastic coatings, and UV printing inks, etc.


IV. Usage Suggestions and Operating Instructions


Product leveling agent 21057 has a small dosage but significant effect. The general recommended addition amount is 0.05% to 1.0% of the total coating volume. The specific dosage depends on factors such as the solvent type, resin system, and total solid content of the system. The product can be added during the grinding stage, the mixing stage, or the final production stage. Its performance characteristics may vary in different systems. Thorough application testing is a necessary prerequisite to ensure the desired effect. If the product becomes cloudy at low temperatures, it can be restored to clarity and transparency by heating. This physical change does not affect the product quality and performance.


V. Packaging Specifications and Storage Conditions


Product leveling agent 21057 is available in two packaging specifications: 25-liter plastic drums and 200-liter plastic drums or iron drums. This product is transported as a non-hazardous chemical and should be stored in a cool, dry place, sealed. Under the above storage conditions and without being opened, the shelf life is twelve months.


VI. Quality Assurance and Technical Support


Product leveling agent 21057 has established a strict quality control system during the production process. It conducts full-process testing on key indicators such as appearance, viscosity, refractive index, and non-volatile content to ensure consistency and stability between batches. This product is non-hazardous, and conventional chemical safety regulations should still be followed during operation. Due to the differences in requirements for additives in different systems, it is recommended that users conduct systematic tests before use based on the actual formulation and process conditions to determine the optimal addition amount and method.


As the coatings and inks industry continues to develop towards water-based, high solid content, and high-performance directions, the demand for universal additives that have multi-system applicability, excellent leveling effects, and scratch resistance is steadily increasing. Product leveling agent 21057, with its polyether-modified silicone oil structure advantage, over 97% non-volatile content, and wide system adaptability, is becoming an important option for coating and ink manufacturers in the selection of leveling agents, helping downstream industries improve coating quality and optimize processes.