Formulators in the coatings and adhesives industries frequently face a difficult balancing act: creating products that are easy to apply but durable once cured. Common issues include paint "sagging" on vertical surfaces, pigments settling to the bottom of the container during storage, and surface defects like "orange peel" or pinholes . Additionally, modern regulations are pushing the industry toward stricter sustainability targets, requiring new solutions for performance without hazardous ingredients. The Crayvallac® series solves these problems by offering specific additives that fine-tune the rheology and surface properties of a formulation, ensuring stability during storage and perfect leveling during application.
Crayvallac Additive Series
Crayvallac® is a range of high-performance specialty additives developed by Arkema . The series includes state-of-the-art organic rheology modifiers, surface modifiers, flow and leveling agents, and dispersing agents. These products are available in various forms, including micronized powders, pre-activated pastes, and liquids, designed to meet the technical expectations of complex formulations.
Key Benefit
Application Control: Excellent sag resistance and anti-settling properties without compromising ease of application (sprayability, gunnability, or brushability).
Visual Performance: Improved gloss control (matting or gloss retention) and elimination of surface defects.
Durability: Enhanced weatherability, scratch resistance, and mechanical properties.
Sustainability: Many grades offer high bio-content (up to 100% active content), utilizing renewable resources like castor derivatives and bio-based polyamides to support a lower carbon footprint.
Funcionalities
Rheology Modifiers
Rheology modifiers work by altering a fluid's flow properties, such as its viscosity and consistency, to prevent settling, control sagging, and ensure proper application. They achieve this through mechanisms like forming a temporary 3D network, thickening by entanglement, or associative thickening through intermolecular interactions. These additives modify how a substance behaves under different levels of force (shear rate), making it easy to stir or spray but stable when at rest.
Dispersing Agent
Dispersing additives enhance the performance of pigments and fillers by effectively wetting, dispersing, and stabilizing solid particles. They lower the energy required during coating formulation, prevent flocculation during storage, and improve gloss and color development when the coating is applied. Dispersing agents work by coating the surface of particles to prevent them from clumping together, or aggregating. They create a protective barrier through two main mechanisms: electrostatic repulsion, where particles gain the same charge and repel each other, and steric hindrance, where a physical layer prevents particles from getting close enough to stick.
Surface Modifiers
Surface modifiers, often referred to as waxes, are additives that enhance important coating properties such as scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, anti-blocking performance, slip, and overall optical quality. They can also support the application process by contributing to effects like defoaming and improved lubrication.
Flow and Leveling
Flow and leveling additives are developed to regulate surface characteristics of coatings. They distribute themselves evenly within the coating system, ensuring uniform powder particle dispersion. Their specialized functions help reduce surface tension, create consistent film thickness, and prevent material migration within the coating layer.
Application
The versatile nature of the Crayvallac® series makes it suitable for a wide variety of demanding market sectors:
- Adhesives & Sealants: Construction, consumer goods, and transportation.
- Protective & Marine Coatings: Ships, containers, bridges, and storage tanks.
- General Industry: Electrical equipment, furniture, and appliances.
- Automotive: OEM and vehicle refinishes, including primers, basecoats, and clear coats.
- Wood Finishes: Industrial applications protecting wood substrates.
- Can & Coil Coatings: High-constraint processing environments.
- Architectural & Powder Coatings: Applications requiring specific aesthetic effects and ease of use.
Conclusion
With advanced solutions that optimize stability, application quality, and long-term durability, the Crayvallac® series continues to drive innovation in the coatings and adhesives industry. At Maha, we supply a wide range of Crayvallac® grades to support formulators in achieving superior performance across diverse applications.
Contact Maha today to request a sample and access technical support.