Matting Agent
Providing wax dispersions have a particle size much higher than 1 µm, they
will significantly reduce the gloss, by introducing micro-roughness on the
coating surface. The so-created uneven surface will cause the light to be scattered,
as illustrated in figure 1.
Figure 1
The degree of the micro-roughness is determined by the number of particles present
at the surface, which directly depends on wax properties such as:
- Particle size and particle size distribution
- Particle density
- Amount of matting agent incorporated.
In addition to their impact on the gloss properties, wax dispersions will also improve
other properties such as scratch & mar resistance, anti-blocking etc...
Thanks to this matting property, wax emulsions are widely used in wide range of
applications such as: Architectural, Wood coatings and Inks, OPV's
& Primers.
