DYNAX FLUOROCHEMICALS FOR COATINGS AND INK APPLICATIONS

Dynax has developed the DX4000 Series of high performance fluorosurfactants for the coatings and ink industries and other industrial applications where superior wetting and leveling properties are required.

Dynax DX4000 Series Fluorosurfactants Provide the Lowest Equilibrium and Dynamic Surface Tensions.

Dynax DX4000 Series fluorosurfactants are designed to provide the lowest possible surface tension in aqueous media more rapidly than any other fluorosurfactants on the market. The dynamic surface tension aspect of a surfactant is important, especially for applications requiring time-critical processes such as spray painting, high speed coating, printing, inkjet, etc.

When compared with the competitive products considered to be industry benchmarks, such as the now discontinued 3M’s FC-129, and others on the market, DX4000 the performance of which represents the series shows the lowest equilibrium surface tension (Table 1) and dynamic surface tension at 0.1% actives in water (Fig. 1)

Dynax DX4000 Series Fluorosurfactants Are Highly Effective and Efficient.

Both aspects of its effectiveness and efficiency need to be evaluated when selecting a surfactant. Effectiveness and efficiency are the two sides of the surface tension “coin.” Effectiveness refers to how much surface tension reduction can be achieved by a surfactant at a given concentration. Efficiency is a measure of how much surfactant is needed to reach the required level of surface tension.

Figure 2 shows superior dynamic surface tensions of DX4000 at 0.01% actives level compared with the old benchmark product FC-129, and other competitive products on the market.

Dynax DX4000 Series Fluorosurfactants are all Water-based and Non-flammable.

Dynax DX4000 Series fluorosurfactants are all water-based and non-flammable. They are also designed to minimize the foaming problem, a common, serious operational problem in the use of surfactants for coatings and ink applications. Foaming can also cause surface defects, such as pinholes, and loss of gloss and clarity in the coated film. Defoamers are commonly used to minimize the foam generation, but in some cases defoamers can lead to other unwanted surface defects such as craters.

Dynax DX4000 Series Fluorosurfactants May Not Require Defoamers

Figure 3 compares the foaming characteristics of DX4000 Series fluorosurfactants with those of competitive fluorosurfactants. DX4000 Series products show exceptionally low foaming compared to industry benchmark products. With such low foaming characteristics DX4000 Series products can be used without a defoaming agent.

Dynax DX4000 Series Fluorosurfactants Provide Superior Substrate Wetting.

Substrate wetting is critical for coating and printing applications, especially for waterborne coatings designed for low surface energy substrates, like polyethylene films. Common coating contaminants, such as silicone and oily particles, create low surface energy areas on the substrate causing the wet-out problem and coating defects. Figure 4 shows the results of a series of wet-out tests, demonstrating the superior substrate wetting power of DX4000 Series fluorosurfactants compared to FC-129 and a competitive product.

Physical Characteristics of DX4000 Series Fluorosurfactants are presented in Table 2.

DX4000 Series Fluorosurfactants are Made from C6 Fluorotelomer Intermediates and Do Not Degrade into PFOS or PFOA.

The entire line of Dynax fluorochemical products are derived from perfluoroalkyl iodide intermediates. These intermediates, commonly known as fluorotelomer iodides, are produced by the telomerization process, one of the two major manufacturing processes of fluorochemicals. Fluorochemicals produced by the telomerization process do not contain PFOS (Perfluorooctyl Sulfonate), which regulatory authorities both in the US and in Europe classified as a persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic substance (PBT). Current regulations in the US do not allow PFOS-based fluorosurfactants to be used in the manufacture of new foam agents. In Europe, a recent European Union directive* restricts the use of PFOS-based fluorochemicals (maximum 0.005% by weight) for new foam agents. These regulations do not affect the use of telomer-based fluorochemicals.

Dynax fluorochemicals are not derived from PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) the risk assessment of which is currently under review by the regulatory authorities. Although the use of PFOA is not restricted by the EU directive until review of risk assessment is completed and safe alternative products are available, a maximum level of 0.005% by weight has been previously proposed for fire-fighting foam concentrates by the Environmental Committee**. In the US, EPA’s voluntary, “2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program,” is in place. Participating companies are expected to reduce PFOA, precursor chemicals that break down to PFOA and related higher homolog chemicals (equal to or higher than C8), from emissions and product content level by 95% by 2010 and to eliminate the same by 2015.

Dynax fluorochemicals derived from C6 fluorotelomer intermediates do not contain or degrade into PFOS or PFOA in the environment.

Notes

*Directive 2006/122/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 December 2006
**Final Report(A6-025/2006)(July 19, 2006) by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Suggested Applications

  • Improved wetting and spreading of coating and ink formulations on difficult-to-wet, low-energy substrates, or substrates contaminated with low surface tension substances such as oil and silicone.
  • Improved film leveling, adhesion, gloss, clarity and edge uniformity.
  • Elimination or reduction of surface defects: pinholes, orange peel, cratering, fish eyes and picture framing, etc.
  • Improved mold release, anti-blocking and anti-static properties.
  • Improved hydrophobic and oleophobic properties leading to soil and water spot resistance.

The above performance improvement achievable with Dynax DX4000 Series products suggests their use as additives in the following systems:

  • Paints, printing inks, wood coatings, metal coatings.
  • Floor polishes.
  • Cleaning and electroplating bath and grease removers.
  • Photographic emulsions.
  • Pigment and dyestuff dispersions.

Product Selection Guides

Dynax DX4000 Series fluorosurfactants are water-based products and are designed to be used primarily for waterborne coatings. They can also be used for solvent-based coatings, if the coating formulation can tolerate a very small amount of water. From the surface tension performance point of view they are equally efficient and effective and can be used interchangeably. All of the three DX4000 Series products are chemically non-reactive and expected to be compatible with water-based coating systems, but it is always a good practice to check the physical compatibility between the fluorosurfactant and the rest of the components in the coating system. DX4000 and DX4010N are slightly cationic in nature, whereas DX4005N is slightly anionic.