The Difference Between Dispersing and Wetting Agent
In every formulation, including waterborne coatings, dispersing agent and the wetting agent components often get confused. To put it simply, the difference lies in the following:
- A wetting agent lowers the surface tension between a liquid and a solid, allowing pigments or fillers to be quickly wetted.
- A dispersing agent goes further, preventing pigments from re-agglomerating and keeping them uniformly distributed throughout the formulation.
For formulators, it is essential to understand this difference. Without proper stabilization, even a well-wetted pigment will flocculate, reducing gloss and hiding power.
Inorganic vs Organic Dispersants for Better Formulation
Pigment dispersants can be divided into two broad categories:
Inorganic Dispersants
Examples include sodium polyphosphates. They are cost-effective but limited in stability. Inorganic dispersants often struggle with long-term storage, high-gloss finishes, or compatibility with modern waterborne coatings.
Organic Dispersants
Organic dispersants, such as polycarboxylate dispersants, are polymeric in nature. They provide steric and electrostatic stabilization, ensuring pigments remain evenly dispersed. These dispersants are ideal for aqueous pigment systems where long-term stability, gloss, and compatibility are required.
Pigment Dispersion: How It Works and Why It Matters
Wetting
The first stage of pigment dispersion is wetting, where the liquid vehicle displaces air and moisture from the pigment surface. A wetting agent reduces surface tension so the pigment can be fully surrounded by the medium.
Deagglomeration (Dispersion)
After wetting, pigments are broken into smaller, uniform particles through deagglomeration. High-shear mixing or milling supplies the energy, while a dispersing agent prevents the particles from clumping back together. Without sufficient deagglomeration, coatings suffer from haze, uneven color, and reduced gloss.
Stabilization
The final step is stabilization, where the dispersant provides electrostatic or steric repulsion to keep particles evenly distributed. This prevents flocculation and protects viscosity, gloss, and stability.
Introducing Coadis™ 144 A: High-Performance Anionic Dispersant
Formulating waterborne systems, such as paints and inks, requires formulators to carefully balance stability, gloss, viscosity, flow, and adhesion. Each factor shapes the final performance and visual quality of the coating, yet achieving them all together often remains a major challenge.
This is where Coadis™ 144 A stands out. As a high-performance anionic dispersant, it offers formulators a reliable solution for demanding waterborne applications. With its proven ability to enhance stability, maximize gloss, and maintain ideal flow properties, Coadis™ 144 A makes the formulation process more efficient and the end result more consistent.
Key benefits
- Organic dispersant technology, solvent-free and APEO-free.
- Outstanding performance in waterborne exterior and interior coatings.
- Excellent stability and compatibility, even with complex pigment combinations.
- Enables maximized gloss, while maintaining ideal viscosity, flow, and wet adhesion.
Partner with Maha for Coating Solutions and Technical Support
Choosing the right dispersant is not only about chemistry. It’s about having the right pigment dispersant supplier who can guide you through technical challenges.
As a trusted partner, Maha provides:
- Access to Coadis™ 144 A, with FREE samples available for testing.
- Technical expertise in dispersing and wetting agents for paints, inks, and coatings.
- Support in optimizing pigment dispersion for performance, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.
With the right formulation support and proven dispersant technologies, formulators can deliver coatings that meet modern performance demands while staying compliant with environmental standards.
Ready to take your formulation further? Connect with Maha today.