Wetting agents and surface modifiers
HYDROPALAT® and EFKA® slip agents, flow and leveling agents, and wetting agents for water-based, solvent-based, and solvent-free formulations
With wetting agents and surface modifiers for water-based and non-aqueous coatings, we can provide solutions for almost any paint, coating and ink system. Our broad technology portfolio includes polymeric, oligomeric and surfactant-based products such as slip agents with very good recoatability and wetting properties or polymeric flow and leveling agents that offer excellent appearance. Formulators value wetting agents and surface modifiers from BASF for high efficiency, allowing dosage reduction and universal suitability.
Excellent flow and reduced surface tension
One of the strengths of our product range is a class of very versatile interfacially active additives, fluorinated polyacrylates. These flow and leveling agents offer significant advantages over pure polyacrylates. While straight polyacrylic copolymers feature good flow performance, although they do not sufficiently reduce the surface tension of a formulation to solve problems like cratering or poor substrate wetting. In contrast, polyacrylates with fluorinated side chains can lower surface tension for excellent flow and leveling combined with anti-cratering and good wetting behavior.
Fluorocarbon-modified polyacrylates also outperform organomodified silicones in terms of flow, substrate wetting and fisheye resistance. On the other hand, polysiloxanes can provide strong surfaceslip and anti-blocking effects as well as surface tension reduction.
The experts at BASF are glad to support you in finding the right wetting agents and surface modifiers for your formulations.
Key features and benefits
- Outstanding efficiency, allowing lower dosage
- Improved appearance
- Versatility in water-based and solvent-based systems
- Reliable anti-cratering and fisheye prevention
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1HYDROPALAT WE 3220Silicone surfactant to improve substrate wetting in aqueous systems showing strong reduction of surface tension in water-based systems.
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2HYDROPALAT WE 3221Silicone surfactant to improve substrate wetting in aqueous systems showing strong reduction of surface tension in water-based systems.
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3HYDROPALAT WE 3322Non-ionic, 100% active wetting agent effective in waterborne coatings intended for metal, wood and plastic substrates.
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4HYDROPALAT WE 3323Non-ionic, 100% active wetting agent effective in waterborne inks, OPVs, and coatings intended for plastic, wood, and metal substrates.
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5HYDROPALAT WE 3475Highly efficient sulfosuccinate wetting agent; strong reduction of dynamic surface tension; standard product used in overprint varnishes.
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6HYDROPALAT WE 3650Highly effective wetting agent for water-based coating and ink applications; shows excellent dynamic surface tension reduction in combination with low foam stabilization.
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1EFKA FL 3600Polymeric fluorocarbon additive that reduces surface tension of organic coating systems to enable anti-catering and flow control.
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2EFKA SL 3033Organically modified polysiloxane; improved surface flow; excellent compatibility in clear coats.
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3EFKA SL 3257Highly effective solvent-free slip additive and leveling agent for non-aqueous coatings and UV systems.
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4EFKA SL 3259Non-reactive slip and leveling with good compatibility in a broad range of resin systems.
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5EFKA FL 3740 EHSilicone- and solvent-free flow and leveling agent with air-release properties for non-aqueous coatings.
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1EFKA SL 3033Organically modified polysiloxane; improved surface flow; excellent compatibility in clear coats.
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2EFKA SL 3200Solvent-free slip and leveling agent for both non-aqueous and aqueous coatings/printing ink formulations.
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3EFKA SL 3257Highly effective solvent-free slip additive and leveling agent for non-aqueous coatings and UV systems.
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4EFKA SL 3259Non-reactive slip and leveling with good compatibility in a broad range of resin systems.
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5EFKA FL 3740 EHSilicone- and solvent-free flow and leveling agent with air-release properties for non-aqueous coatings.