Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing - Sept/Oct '23 - 28

PAINT AND COATINGS MANUFACTURING: TESTING EQUIPMENT
particles such as TI02 is important to achieve superior
colour fastness, gloss, cleanliness of shades and other visual
properties. The objective is to reduce particle size by breaking
the binding forces (Van der Walls) that keep primary pigment
particles bonded together. This process is referred to as
milling or fine grinding. The BYK-Gardner product portfolio
covers a full range of different milling systems such as
horizontal, vertical and basket mills to meet the different
formulation requirements.
When choosing the perfect milling equipment, factors such
as process control and upscale requirements are essential.
Rely on knowledgeable dispersing and milling experts to
guide you in selecting the ideal equipment for your needs.
CFCM: What are the benefits of conducting TiO2
analysis?
AS: Conducting TiO2 analysis offers several benefits.
These include understanding the high stability and ecofriendliness
of TiO2, its non-toxic nature, and its potential
health benefits such as antibacterial properties and
protection against harmful UV rays. Moreover, analysing
TiO2 can greatly enhance our understanding of its role as an
efficient photocatalyst, which can significantly improve the
degradation efficiency of pollutants.
CFCM: Can it help with optimising the usage?
MP: Yes, a comprehensive TiO2 analysis can provide valuable
insights that can lead to improved usage efficiency, cost
savings, and enhanced performance in various applications.
An analysis can help with determining optimal concentration,
improving material efficiency, enhancing photocatalytic
activity, safety and quality control, and help tailor properties
for specific applications. TiO2 is used in a wide range of
materials, from paints to solar cells. Analysis can provide
insight into how TiO2 interacts with these materials, allowing
for adjustments that can improve overall efficiency.
CFCM: Can such data aid in reducing the overall cost of
formulation?
MP: Titanium dioxide can indeed
aid in reducing the overall cost of
coating formulation. TiO2 is widely
used in the coatings industry due to
its superior ability to scatter light and
provide opacity. It can help in cost
reduction by:
* Using High-Quality TiO2: Highquality
TiO2 has better dispersibility
and requires less dispersant in
the formulation, which lowers the
overall cost.
* Optimal Loading: By determining
the optimal loading of TiO2, you can
achieve the desired opacity with the
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least amount of pigment, thereby saving costs.
* Substitution and Extenders: Certain materials can
be used to partially replace TiO2 without significantly
compromising the coating performance. These include
minerals such as calcined kaolin or calcium carbonate, and
engineered extenders like hollow plastic pigments.
* Formulation Strategies: Techniques such as dry hiding,
separation, spacing, and stabilisation can help reduce the
amount of TiO2 needed in the coating formulation.
* Technological Innovations: New technologies are being
developed that can reduce the use of TiO2. For example,
AQACell technology can replace 10 to 15 per cent of TiO2 in
the formulation, depending on the technique used.
CFCM: Can you provide any production examples of how
such data made a significant difference for a facility?
AS: Consider a paint manufacturing facility that uses TiO2 as
a key ingredient in their formulations. However, TiO2 is one
of the most expensive components, contributing significantly
to the production costs. After conducting a comprehensive
analysis, the facility found that they could achieve the same
level of opacity by slightly reducing the amount of TiO2 used
and adding a cheaper extender without compromising on the
quality of the paint. This was possible due to the improved
understanding of TiO2's properties and behaviour, obtained
from the analysis.
The analysis also revealed opportunities to enhance
the dispersion of TiO2 in the paint formulation, thereby
improving its efficiency and reducing the amount needed.
By implementing these changes, the facility was able
to significantly reduce the cost of raw materials, leading
to lower production costs and higher profit margins.
Furthermore, the optimised use of TiO2 also resulted in a
more sustainable production process due to less wastage and
lower environmental impact.
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Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing - Sept/Oct '23

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