High-Performance Ultrasonic Emulsification in Paint Pigment

Ultrasonic emulsification results in significantly smaller droplets and better emulsion stability. Ultrasonic nano-emulsification is used to produce high-performance emulsions for high-performance materials, paints, coatings, food, pharma, and cosmetics.

Organic and inorganic pigments are an important part of the formulation of coatings. In order to maximize the performance of the pigment, it is necessary to control the particle size well. When pigment powders are added to water-based, solvent-based, or epoxy systems, individual pigment particles tend to form large agglomerates. High-shear mechanical devices, such as rotor-stator mixers or stirred bead mills, are often used to break up this agglomerate and grind individual pigment particles. Ultrasound is an extremely effective alternative to this step in coating manufacturing.

Ultrasonic grinding and dispersion is generally superior to high-speed mixers and media grinders because ultrasonic treatment allows for a more consistent treatment of all particles. In general, ultrasonic treatment produces a smaller particle size and a narrower particle size distribution (pigment grinding curve). This improves the overall quality of the pigment dispersion, as larger particles often affect processing power, gloss, resistance, and optical appearance.

Application of Ultrasound in Paint Formulation

Paint and coating formulations contain various components such as pigments, fillers, chemical additives, crosslinking agents, and rheology modifiers. Ultrasound is an effective method for dispersion, emulsification, deagglomeration, and grinding of such components in paint formulations.

1.Emulsification of polymers in aqueous systems

2.Dispersion and super grinding of pigments

3.Size reduction of nanomaterials in high performance coatings

Coatings are divided into two main categories: water-based and solvent-based resins and coatings. Each type has its own set of challenges. The direction of VOC reduction and high solvent prices have stimulated the growth of water-based resin coating technology. The use of ultrasound can improve the performance of such environmentally friendly systems.

Ultrasonic can enhanced coating formulation

Ultrasound can help formulations of architectural, industrial, automotive, and wood coatings enhance paint characteristics such as color strength, scratches, cracks, and UV or electrical resistance. Some of these coating properties are achieved by the inclusion of nanomaterials, such as metal oxides (TiO 2, silica, cerium dioxide, ZnO, etc.).

Ultrasound does further contribute to defoaming and degassing of high viscosity products.

Ultrasonic can make Emulsion polymerization treatment

Traditional coating formulations use basic polymer chemistry. Changes in water-based coating technology have had an impact on the selection of raw materials, properties and formulation methods.

In traditional emulsion polymerization, such as water-based coatings, the particles are built from the center to the surface. Dynamic factors affect the uniformity and morphology of particles. Ultrasonic processing can produce polymer emulsions in two ways:

Top-down: Emulsifying/dispersing larger polymer particles to produce smaller particles by reducing their size.

Bottom-up: Ultrasound is used before or during particle polymerization.

In general, ultrasonic in the coating nano-emulsification can promote the dispersion and emulsification process of nanoparticles, improve the uniformity, stability and performance of coatings. It is an efficient and controllable technology, which is widely used in the coating industry.