OPAQUE POLYMER
Opaque Polymer is a non-film-forming, low-odor synthetic pigment engineered to improve the economics of waterborne coatings.
Opaque Polymer is a hollow-sphere polymeric pigment that allows paint manufacturers to reduce the raw material cost of their formulations with no performance penalties.
Opaque Polymer shows increased light scattering efficiency compared to previous Opaque Polymer products while maintaining paint performance.
Opaque Polymer's addition to paints allows the formulator to remove TiO2 in paint while maintaining the same level of dry hiding in the coating.
Uses
Premium to quality interior/exterior flat through high gloss architectural paints
Benefits
Hollow-sphere polymeric pigment
Sodium hydroxide neutralized
Increased light scattering efficiency while maintaining paint performance
Cost savings by reducing the level of TiO2 while providing equal hiding
Description
Opaque Polymer expands the boundaries of light scattering technology, providing the most efficient dry hiding in interior and exterior coatings.
Additionally, this non-film-forming synthetic pigment is specially engineered to improve the economics of waterborne coatings while maintaining coating performance.
In addition to providing the most efficient dry-hiding properties, Opaque Polymer offers various benefits in interior and exterior paint formulations.
Advantages
Significantly increased light scattering efficiency while maintaining paint performance.
More significant cost savings while providing equal hiding
Opaque Polymer in Conventional Paints
Adding Opaque Polymer to conventional paints allows the paint manufacturer to reduce the initial level of TiO2 and provide significant cost savings with equal properties.
Because Opaque Polymer has a comparatively low binder demand, the total PVC can be slightly increased without sacrificing paint performance.
The extender levels may need to be rebalanced to adjust gloss by adjusting the ratio of large and small particle size extenders, and the water level and thickener may need to be adjusted to keep volume solids and viscosity constant.
Interior Applications
The lower levels of TiO2 and extender in paints containing Opaque Polymer provide fewer loose particles to rub the paint film.
The hydrophobicity of Opaque Polymer may also help make the paint film less water-sensitive.
The overall effect improves washability.
Interactions with Other Paint Ingredients
The hiding properties of Opaque Polymer depend on the integrity of the hollow sphere in the paint film.
All Opaque Polymers can be affected by certain solvents, plasticizers, and surfactants, especially those with a significant aromatic content.
These materials can soften the polymer shell and cause the spheres to collapse during
film formation.
Alcohol-based coalescents and glycols are much less of an issue and can be used up to 75 lbs. per 100 gallons.
Handling and Storage of Opaque Polymers
As with most emulsion polymers, some special storage and handling techniques should be observed for ROPAQUE™ Opaque Polymers.
Surfaces that will be in contact with Opaque Polymers: Avoid using mild steel, iron, copper, brass, bronze, aluminum, or zinc materials that could
contact the Opaque Polymers upon transfer and storage.
Avoid using surfaces that enable the polymer to wick out, as the wicking process causes nodules of hard materials to grow out from these areas and eventually drop into the polymer.
Some materials that could result in wicking are old fiberglass tanks with exposed glass fibers, a coated tank with part of the coating broken, and drums with pinholes in the lining.
Contamination
Shared transfer lines and other components should be flushed with water before they are used for Opaque Polymers.
Contact with concentrated glycols, surfactants, and acid materials could cause gelling.
Compatibility with all new materials should be checked routinely.
Filtration and Pumping
Exposure of Opaque Polymer to high shear will cause mechanical breakdown and polymer buildup.
Pumping through small mesh filters at high flow rates and using pumps with close tolerances are examples of high-shear situations.
Opaque Polymers are dilatant products and can blind small pore filters.
For offloading, a 400-micron filter should be adequate.
When filtering with absorbent elements, pre-wetting the element reduces binding.
Cartridge and bag filters with needle-punched filter bags are examples of filters with absorbent elements.
Foam
Free fall during unloading should be avoided since it is a prime cause of foam in emulsion products such as Opaque Polymers.
To prevent foaming, storage tanks should be filled from the bottom or through a dip pipe extending into the tank below the liquid level.
Bulk Storage of Opaque Polymers
Intermittent agitation during bulk storage (approximately 15 minutes every 12 hours) is recommended for controlling sedimentation.
A two-inch recirculating closed loop using a sliding van design, diaphragm type, or other low-shear pump to transfer material, is preferred to a top-entering agitator.
The recirculating loop should discharge below the liquid level of the polymer to avoid foam generation.
