Solutions to extend and optimize Titanium Dioxide

Maximum efficiency and performance for low VOC formulations 

ANGUS amino alcohols are highly efficient dispersants and stabilizers for titanium dioxide. When used as co-dispersants in pigment grinds and slurries they can optimize the performance of titanium dioxide to improve hiding power. The use of AMP-95™ in pigment grinds ensures that formulators are extracting the greatest value from titanium dioxide and maximizing the performance of the formulation.   

Unlike other amine neutralizers on the market, ANGUS amino alcohols offer a high neutralization efficiency combined with multifunctionality. When used in pigment grinds, ANGUS amino alcohols will ensure maximum efficiency of titanium dioxide and color stability. When used for pH control they provide exceptional formulation stability even at low use levels. AMP-95™ is also the only organic amine to be VOC exempt by the U.S. EPA and the Government of Canada, making it an ideal ingredient for low VOC formulations.  

Replace higher-cost water-washed kaolin products in your coatings 

Air-float hydrous kaolin mineral products are used in a variety of coatings and have long provided desirable performance advantages in enamel holdout, sheen and gloss control, suspension or anti-settling, and sanding. Acti-Min® PG kaolin extender pigment was developed with a higher brightness and suitable particle size to replace higher costs water-washed kaolin products in coatings. It provides three distinct advantages over popular water-washed kaolins – lower raw material cost, higher sheen and gloss control and greater TiO₂ replacement.

See how Acti-Min® outperforms popular water-washed kaolins in this independent lab paint study

Dow’s 1-2 punch for battling TiO₂ issues 

DOWSIL^TM 3 for your pigment dispersant needs

Most pigmented coating systems contain more than one pigment type. Flooding and floating occurs when multiple pigments separate from one another and are no longer homogeneously distributed. DOWSIL^TM 3 Additive most effectively prevents the occurrence of flooding and floating when used as a pigment dispersant in titanium dioxide white base paint. It is also effective as an anti-floating agent when post-added. A multifunctional additive, DOWSIL^TM 3 Additive also improves leveling so that often no additional silicone leveling agent is necessary in the final formulation.

When it comes to preventing the titanium dioxide flooding and floating in combination with colored pigments, DOWSIL^TM 3 Additive can be used as the sole dispersant for titanium dioxide in the white base paint. The color pigment concentrate can then be added during the let-down stage. The recommended dosage of DOWSIL^TM 3 Additive is 2–10 weight percent of the titanium dioxide used. In a paint containing 10 percent TiO₂ by weight in the total formulation, this equates to 0.2–1 weight percent DOWSIL^TM 3 Additive in the total formulation.

EVOQUE™ & ROPAQUE™ for effective opacity and sustainability improvements

ROPAQUE™ Opaque Polymers and EVOQUE™ Pre-Composite Polymers offer novel routes to improved hiding efficiency, TiO₂ reduction, formulation cost savings and/or paint performance improvements. Both are major hiding technology breakthroughs that also offer key sustainability improvements as demonstrated by a third-party validated life cycle assessment.

How They Work

• ROPAQUE™ Opaque Polymer is a synthetic hollow-sphere pigment that independently scatters light and offers partial replacement of higher cost TiO₂.
• EVOQUE™ Pre-Composite Polymer is an advanced binder technology that helps to improve the light scattering efficiency of TiO₂ by improving the uniformity of TiO₂ particle distribution.
• Both technologies offer equal or improved hiding with up to 20% less TiO₂ or higher hiding at equal TiO₂. Additive Improvement in many paint formulations, EVOQUE™ and ROPAQUE™ Polymers may be used in tandem to achieve additive improvement in TiO₂ efficiency and even higher TiO₂ savings. In addition, EVOQUE™ Pre-Composite Polymers offer improvements in paint performance properties such as stain resistance and removal, dirt pick-up resistance, tint retention, tannin stain blocking and corrosion resistance.

Features and benefits

EVOQUE™ Pre-Composite Polymer

• 100% acrylic binder
• Increases wet and dry hiding efficiency
• Facilitates hiding improvement and/or TiO₂ reduction
• Low-VOC capable
• Works in tandem with ROPAQUE™ Opaque Polymers for additive hiding improvement or TiO₂ reduction

ROPAQU™ Opaque Polymer

• Polymeric light-scattering pigment
• Replaces up to 20% of TiO₂
• Facilitates equal hiding and tint strength at lower cost
• Works in tandem with EVOQUE™ Pre-Composite Polymers for additive hiding improvement or TiO₂ reduction

Reduce TiO₂ up to 20% with SYLOWHITE™ SM 405 

SYLOWHITE™ SM 405 is a precipitated amorphous sodium aluminium magnesium silicate with a very fine particle size and appearing as a white free flowing powder. Thanks to its performance benefits, it is widely used in different coatings applications.

Grace's TiO₂ extender has a high level of purity, which results in minimum effects on color and enhances brightness properties. Its controlled particle size distribution and pore structure result in an extremely cost-effective titanium dioxide extender. SYLOWHITE™ SM 405 Titanium Dioxide Extender causes a more homogeneous distribution of titanium dioxide particles and reduces the specific gravity of the paint:

Enhance your TiO₂ opacity capabilities with Rhodoline® 

One of the most important considerations when applying paint to any surface is how effectively the coating hides the substrate. The ability of a coating to provide hiding (coverage) is determined by the opacity of the coating. Opacity is based on the results of the complex interaction of various components (pigments, extenders, mineral fillers, dispersants, wetting aids, etc.).

The most commonly used opacifying agent in paint formulations is TiO₂, which provides exceptional hiding power. However, TiO₂ is one of the most expensive ingredients in a can of paint, so it is important to utilize the TiO₂ efficiently. Properly dispersing and stabilizing TiO₂ and other mineral pigment particles will help provide better hiding along with a stable dispersion over time.

Below is a list of key Solvay Dispersants for water-based coatings. It is important to note that other factors like the particle size of your latex system, or other fillers, can also have an impact on the hiding efficiency of TiO₂ in your formulation.

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Solvay also offers a line of dispersants for organic pigments and Carbon Black – RHODOLINE® 3000 and 4000 series. Reach out to your technical contact for technical assistance.