Application of easily dispersible fumed silica in industrial coatings

Easily dispersible fumed silica

Fumed silica is a common rheology modifier widely used in solvent-based and water-based coatings. However, traditional fumed silica requires grinding to achieve the desired fineness, a process that consumes energy and time.

To address this issue, Evonik has introduced four new, more easily dispersible AEROSIL fumed silica grades: AEROSIL E 972, AEROSIL E 805, AEROSIL E 812, and AEROSIL E 9200. These grades help formulators eliminate time-consuming and expensive grinding steps (such as using a bead mill) when developing coatings and paints.

Like other standard AEROSIL products, these four new easily dispersible (E2D) grades can be used in paint and clearcoat formulations to provide rheology control and scratch resistance. E 972 is the more versatile product, E 805 is suitable for two-component polyurethane and epoxy systems, E 812 performs particularly well in two-component polyurethane systems, and E 9200 is primarily used to improve the scratch resistance of coatings.

Characteristics of easily dispersible fumed silica

Compatibility with traditional fumed silica
Same rheological properties as traditional fumed silica
Reduces production and grinding process complexity
Simply requires high-speed dispersion for addition (no bead milling or high-shear grinding required)
Possible post-addition adjustment of rheological properties

Easy-to-disperse product introduction

AEROSIL E 972

Broad range of rheology control agents (anti-settling, anti-sagging)
Suitable for all coating systems
Clear varnish + pigment
Easiest to disperse for waterborne coatings
Excellent optical properties (gloss, haze)
Treatment with dimethyldichlorosilane
Fumed silica (DDS)
General industrial, coil, powder, automotive, wood, and plastic coatings

AEROSIL E 812

Automotive high-gloss acrylic clearcoat
Excellent clarity
Best performance in anti-corrosion primers
Excellent rheological properties – especially in epoxy two-component systems
Very high efficiency
Fumed silica treated with octyltrimethoxysilane (OCTMO)
High compatibility
Primarily for solvent-borne systems
Automotive, marine & anti-corrosion
General industrial

AEROSIL E 805

Automotive high-gloss acrylic clearcoat
Excellent clarity
Best performance in anti-corrosion primers
Excellent rheological properties – especially in epoxy two-component systems
Very high efficiency
Fumed silica treated with octyltrimethoxysilane (OCTMO)
High compatibility
Primarily for solvent-borne systems
Automotive, marine & anti-corrosion
General industrial

AEROSIL E 9200

Improves abrasion and scratch resistance
No typical rheological properties
Solvent-based clearcoats
Higher addition levels possible
Low thickening
Primarily used in solvent-based systems
Easier to incorporate than AEROSIL R 9200
Automotive coatings, general industrial coatings, plastic coatings, powder coatings, wood coatings