Silica matting agents. How to choose the suitable grade for your coatings?

The S series of matting agents distributed by Quanxu Technology a wide range of particle sizes, with and without surface treatment, which suit different applications and sectors.

Silica aerogel technology makes it possible to manufacture very pure gels, close to 100% silica, with high porosity and specific surface treatments. This results in highly efficient matting agents, easy to mix and disperse, with greater transparency and scratch resistance and very low oil absorption.

The production of the S series incorporates an alkaline treatment to increase the pore size, thus optimising its matting efficiency and its transparency, and minimising its effect on viscosity and drying.

In addition to matting paints and varnishes, the S series of matting agents is also used in printing inks, plastics, adhesives and sealants and other coatings for coil, leather, textile and inkjet. However, its primary market is still coatings for wood.

The different grades in the S series stand out owing to the particle size and the grade of modification. Those with a larger particle size will offer greater matting performance, whereas those with a smaller particle size will provide greater transparency. Some grades offer organic surface treatment (identified with an [L" in the name) which modifies the refractive index of the Matting Agent to match that of the most common resins, which contributes to a further enhancement in transparency.

As an example of the variety of grades in the S series, we will cite some examples:

• S 410L: the smallest particle size (4 microns), the most transparent, with a very good feel.
  Application examples: PU coatings for wood with a good feel, coatings for the 3C industry (Computer, Communication and Consumer Electronics), coatings for wine and beer bottles (heat-resistant paint).
• S 620L: medium particle size (5.5 microns), excellent comprehensive performance, organic treatment and perfect anti-setting effect. For general use.
• S 630: medium particle size (5.5 microns), excellent comprehensive performance (high matting efficiency, good feel and transparency). Application examples: PU coatings for wood, industrial heat-resistant paint, coatings for plastics.
• S 650L: the largest particle size (6.5 microns), with superior matting efficiency.
  Application examples: coatings of a certain thickness and hard resin systems (polyester resin, epoxy resin).

Anticorrosion Pigments, Inkjet Receptive Coating, Matting Agent