Hielscher Ultrasonic Processors for the Production of Coating Formulations

Product Details

Various components, such as pigments, fillers, chemical additives, crosslinkers and rheology modifiers go into coating and paint formulations. Ultrasound is an effective means for the dispersion and emulsifying, deagglomeration and milling of such components in coatings.

Ultrasound is used in the formulation of coatings for:

* emulsification of polymers in aqueous systems
* dispersing and fine milling of pigments
* size reduction of nanomaterials in high-performance coatings

Coatings fall into two broad categories: water-borne and solvent based resins and coatings. Each type has its own challenges. Directions calling for VOC reduction and high solvent prices stimulate growth in water-borne resin coating technologies. The use of ultrasonication can enhance the performance of such eco-friendly systems.

Ultrasound can help formulators of architectural, industrial, automotive and wood coatings to enhance the coating characteristics, such as color strength, scratch, crack and UV resistance or electrical conductivity. Some of these coating characteristics are achieved by the inclusion of nano-size materials, e.g. metal oxides (TiO2, Silica, Ceria, ZnO, ...).
As ultrasonic dispersing technology can be used on lab, bench-top and production level, allowing for throughput rates over 10 tons/hour it is being applied in the R&D stage and in the commercial production. Process results can be scaled up easily (linear).