Use dispersants well to make floor coatings "more powerful" - practical usage suggestions
As a key additive for floor coatings, whether dispersants can fully play their role depends largely on whether the usage
method is scientific. Just as the timing and amount of seasonings in cooking will affect the taste of dishes, the selection,
addition and matching of dispersants are also directly related to the final performance of floor coatings. Only by mastering
the correct usage method can dispersants truly become the "right-hand man" of floor coatings.
Choose the right type: matching coatings and scenes is the prerequisite
There are many types of dispersants on the market, and blindly selecting them often results in half the effort. The core principle
of selection is to match the coating system and application scenarios.
For solvent-based floor coatings, anionic dispersants are a common choice. It can effectively disperse inorganic pigments by virtue
of charge repulsion, and is especially suitable for use in scenes with high wear resistance requirements such as workshops and garages.
Water-based floor coatings need to be matched with water-based dispersants. This type of dispersant can form a stable dispersion
system in water to avoid stratification, and meets environmental protection requirements. It is suitable for places such as hospitals and
schools that are sensitive to environmental protection.
When nano-pigments are used in the paint or extremely high dispersion stability is required, a super dispersant is a better choice. Its
molecular structure design is more sophisticated, and it can be firmly adsorbed on the surface of tiny pigment particles, providing a
stronger steric hindrance effect, ensuring that the paint remains uniform during long-term storage and use, and is suitable for high-end
commercial floors with strict requirements on appearance and performance.
Grasp the timing and dosage: accurate addition is the key
The timing of adding dispersants directly affects the dispersion effect. The best addition stage is before the pigment is ground.
At this time, the dispersant is pre-mixed with the pigment and solvent, which allows the dispersant to fully penetrate between the
pigment particles, laying a good foundation for subsequent grinding and dispersion. If it is added after grinding, it is difficult for the
dispersant to enter the pigment aggregates that have been formed, and the dispersion effect will be greatly reduced.
The control of dosage is also important. Too little dispersant cannot completely cover the surface of the pigment particles, making it
difficult to prevent particle aggregation, resulting in precipitation of the paint; too much may affect the film-forming properties of the
paint, reduce the adhesion of the floor coating, and even cause bubbles. Generally speaking, the amount of dispersant is 0.5% - 3% of
the pigment mass, and the specific value needs to be adjusted according to the type and particle size of the pigment. For example,
titanium dioxide with smaller particle size requires more dispersant to achieve good dispersion.
Pay attention to synergy and taboos: details determine the effect
Dispersants do not exist in isolation, they need to work synergistically with other ingredients in the paint. During use, pay attention to
compatibility with additives such as resins and defoamers. If the dispersant has poor affinity with the resin, it will affect its adsorption
effect on the pigment surface; and some defoamers may destroy the adsorption layer formed by the dispersant, resulting in a decrease
in dispersion stability. Therefore, when debugging a new formula, a small batch compatibility test is required to ensure "peaceful
coexistence" between the ingredients.
Environmental factors can also affect the effect of the dispersant. In a high temperature environment, the molecular movement of the
dispersant intensifies, which may cause the adsorption layer to be unstable. At this time, a high temperature resistant dispersant type
needs to be selected; in a low temperature environment, the solubility of the dispersant may decrease, and the dosage needs to be
appropriately adjusted or a product with better low temperature adaptability needs to be selected. In addition, the stirring speed
during construction also needs to be controlled. Excessive stirring may destroy the stable structure formed by the dispersant and
cause particle aggregation.
Post-test: Ensure the effect meets the standard
After adding the dispersant, a simple test is needed to judge the dispersion effect. The appearance of the paint can be observed.
High-quality dispersed paint should have uniform color and no obvious granularity. After standing for a period of time, if there is
no obvious precipitation and stratification, it means that the storage stability is good. It can also be judged by measuring the
viscosity change of the paint. The viscosity of the paint with good dispersion effect is more stable and will not fluctuate greatly
in a short time.
After the actual construction, the final effect of the floor needs to be observed. If the coating surface is flat and smooth, the color
is consistent, there are no brush marks and bubbles, it means that the use of the dispersant has achieved the expected effect.
If there is a local color difference or coating defect, it may be that the dispersant is not selected properly or the dosage is not
appropriate, and the formula needs to be adjusted in time.
Mastering these usage suggestions can make the dispersant play a full role in the floor coating, which can not only improve the
performance and construction efficiency of the coating, but also ensure the beauty and durability of the floor. For ordinary users,
understanding this knowledge will help make more informed judgments when choosing floor coatings; for coating production and
construction personnel, the scientific use of dispersants is the key to improving product quality and engineering level.
