How to Choose the Right Coating Additive for Your Industry

June 27, 2025

Coating additives are an important component of coating formulations. Although their dosage is usually small (0.1%~5%), they have a significant impact on the storage stability, application performance, film-forming effect, and final film properties of coatings.The selection principle of additives for coatings: high efficiency, minimal negative impact, high cost-effectiveness, and compliance with environmental requirements.The following is the selection method and key considerations for coating additives.

Coating additives

1. Main categories and functions of coating additives

Classification	Function	Example
Dispersant	Improve pigment dispersibility, prevent sedimentation and flocculation	Polyacrylate and Phosphate Esters
Wetting Agent	Reduce surface tension and improve substrate wettability	Organic Silicon and Alkynediol
Defoamer	Restrain the production of foam and reduce coating defects	Mineral Oils; Organic Silicon
Leveling Agent	Improve coating leveling and reduce orange peel and brush marks	Acrylic Ester and Organosilicon
Thickener	Adjust the viscosity of the coating to prevent sagging and settling	Cellulose Ether, Polyurethane, Bentonite
Anti-Settling Agent	Prevent pigment settling and improve storage stability	Gas Phase Silica, Polyamide Wax
Cure Accelerator	Accelerate coating curing and improve reaction efficiency	Organic Tin, Amine
Cure Accelerator	Prevent UV degradation and improve weather resistance	UV Absorbers, Hals
Fungicide	Inhibit mold growth and extend coating life	Isothiazolinones, Benzimidazoles
Adhesion Promoter	Improve the adhesion between the coating and the substrate	Silane coupling agent, epoxy phosphate ester

2. Key factors in additive selection

(1) Coating system (water-based/solvent-based/UV curing)

l Water-based coatings: water-soluble or water-dispersible additives (such as BYK-190 dispersant, Tego Wet 270 wetting agent) must be selected.

l Solvent-based coatings: oil-soluble additives (such as BYK-161 leveling agent, BYK-011 defoamer) must be selected.

l UV curing coatings: photoinitiator-compatible additives (such as Tego Rad 2100 leveling agent) must be selected.

(2) Coating type (primer/topcoat/clear coat/colored paint)

l Primer: Focus on adhesion promoters and rust inhibitors (such as zinc phosphate).

l Topcoat: Key considerations include leveling agents, matting agents (such as silica matting powder), and weather resistant additives.

l Color paint: water-based paint dispersant, anti settling agent.

(3) Construction method (spray coating/brush coating/roller coating)

l Spray coating: Low foaming additives and leveling agents are required.

l Brush coating/roller coating: anti sagging agents and anti splash agents are required.

3.Environmental and performance requirements

Demand	Recommended Additives
Weatherability	Uv Absorbent+Hals
High Gloss	Leveling Agent+Defoamer
Matte/Frosted	Matte Powder+Anti Settling Agent
Anti-Bacteria	Mold Inhibitor+Algae Inhibitor
High Adhesion	Epoxy Phosphate Ester+Silane Coupling Agent

4.Verify long-term stability

Perform accelerated aging testing (such as storing at 40 degrees for 30 days) to observe whether:

l Settlement (adjust anti settling agent)

l Viscosity change (adjusting thickener)

l Decreased defoaming performance (hydrolysis of defoamers)

5.Common problems and solutions

Common Problem	Possibility Analysis	Solution Ideas
Shrinkage Of Coating Film	Incompatible Leveling Or Defoaming Agents	Replace With Compatible Additives
Pigment Sedimentation	Insufficient Dispersant/Anti Settling Agent	Add Anti Settling Agent
Poor Leveling Performance	Improper Selection Of Leveling Agent	Switching To Organic Silicon Leveling Agent
Too Much Foam	Wetting Agents Have Strong Foaming Properties	Adjust Defoamer
Poor Adhesion	Insufficient Wetting Of The Substrate	Add Adhesion Agent

6.General selection ideas

how to choose a suitable coating additive Process for selecting additives

The material determines the performance, and the reasonable selection of additives can significantly improve the application defects of coatings. It is recommended to optimize the formula through small-scale experiments and pay attention to the synergistic effect between additives. Only by applying them correctly can they be fully utilized.

China AAB Industry Technology Group offers a comprehensive portfolio of additives and polymers, as well as detailed one-to-one customer service to meet specific needs. Our main functional additive products include: wetting and dispersing agents, defoamers and air release agents, wetting and leveling agents, tackifiers and coupling agents, wax additives, rheological additives, high-performance HAA curing agents, TIGC curing agents, GMA resins, matting agents, functional leveling agents, texture agents, charge additives, dispersants, leveling agents and epoxy curing agents, pigment dispersants, flow and wetting modifiers, anti-yellowing agents, adhesion additives, etc. Our Kabasph® additive products are widely used in automotive coatings, refinishing paints, marine coatings, anti-corrosion coatings, wood coatings, inks, epoxy floor paints, powder coatings, UV gel nail polish, textiles, rubber, architectural coatings, papermaking, etc. Plastics, skin care products, cosmetics, etc.

coating additive from AAB