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Pigment Dispersion: the science and tech you should know!

Pigments and fillers are powdered materials composed of insoluble solid particles. In their dry, powdered state, these solid particles are surrounded by air. When separated solid particles are introduced into liquids, they tend to agglomerate, forming clumps. In the world of pigments and inks, effective dispersion involves three critical steps:

Wetting: Replacing the air surrounding particles with a paint/ink medium.

Deagglomeration: Breaking down clusters of solid particles into fine, suspended particles (separation).

Stabilization: Ensuring the suspension remains stable over time. Proper dispersion guarantees stability throughout manufacturing, storage, application, and film-forming (chemical) processes.

14 Signs of Poor Pigment Dispersion 

Achieving uniform dispersion of all solid particles is essential for the final aesthetics and performance of paints. When dispersion is inadequate, the following issues may arise:

1. Color Inconsistency: Variations in color between different batches of products.

2. Post-Drying Color Shift: The dried coating appears whiter after solvent and/or water evaporation compared to its original state in the container.

3. Lack of Gloss: The paint surface lacks the intended shine.

4. Floating (Benard Cells): Hexagonal patterns of color variation form on the coating surface when two or more pigments are used.

5. Speckling: Visible color defects appear on the dried coating surface.

6. Insufficient Hiding Power: The coating fails to adequately cover the substrate after application.

7. Flooding: The dried film appears uniformly colored but lighter or darker than expected due to vertical separation of particles.

8. Poor Abrasion Resistance: Significant differences in color and/or gloss between test and control samples.

9. Flocculation: Particles bond together during storage, application, or film formation.

10.Sedimentation/Phase Separation: Two distinct layers form instead of a homogeneous mixture after storage or transportation.

11. Hard Settling: A hard layer forms at the bottom of the container post-storage or transport.

12. Pigment Shock: Sudden flocculation and/or viscosity increase when adding pigment concentrates to primers.

13. Extended Dispersion Time: Prolonged grinding required to achieve target fineness and color strength.

14. Foaming: Bubbles form due to improper wetting, excessive wetting agents, or incorrect dispersant type/quantity.

SILIKE Silicone Hyperdispersants for Flawless Pigment Distribution –  Effective Solution

SILIKE’s innovative silicone hyperdispersant is a modified silicone additive designed for thermoplastic resins like TPE, TPU, and other elastomers. It ensures excellent compatibility between pigments, fillers, and functional powders within the resin system, delivering stable dispersion, smooth processing, and enhanced surface feel.

This innovative silicone hyperdispersant, as one of the most effective dispersing agent solutions, offers multiple benefits that elevate coatings, paints, inks, and masterbatches:

Enhanced Coloring Strength: SILIKE silicone hyperdispersant boosts vibrant, consistent color across batches.

Reduced Pigment Agglomeration: SILIKE silicone hyperdispersant prevents clumping, leading to smooth, defect-free coatings.

Superior Rheology Control: SILIKE silicone hyperdispersant improves flowability, lowers die pressure, and reduces extruder torque for higher efficiency.

Increased Production Efficiency: SILIKE silicone hyperdispersant minimizes dispersion time and energy consumption.

Outstanding Thermal Stability and Color Fastness: SILIKE silicone hyperdispersant maintains integrity under varying temperatures and environmental conditions.

Say goodbye to dispersion challenges and unlock superior performance with SILIKE silicone hyperdispersant. Whether in paints, coatings, inks, or masterbatches, achieving flawless pigment dispersion is now effortless. Contact SILIKE  to learn how our silicone hyperdispersant can optimize your production and enhance product quality!

Tel: +86-28-83625089 or via email: amy.wang@silike.cn, website: www.siliketech.com