AVOIDING SYNERESIS IN TWO PART WATER-BASED EPOXY COATINGS

Two part epoxy emulsion systems that use white pigments such as TiO2 and carbon blacks to develop gray floor coatings suffer typically from pigment flood-float.

These pigments, in particular, require additives to keep the pigment mix from separation in the container and on the floor during the drying times.

Sepiolite clay is an excellent anti-float additive which imports the proper charge to a dispersion to prevent the natural tendency of these pigments to separate.

The sepiolite structure has internal channels open to the surface. Their action with polar solvents, such as water, creates a three dimensional network. This provides excellent suspension of the pigment particles. Hi-purity sepiolite act as thickeners to the emulsions with outstanding suspension and anti-sagging properties. Reduction of synthetic thickener use is therefore, an additional benefit.