Water-based direct-to-metal formulations: mastering the interactions between raw materials

 
"Water-based Direct-To-Metal (DTM) coatings are becoming increasingly popular due to their reduced labour costs, ease of application, and environmental benefits. However, creating a coating that successfully balances adhesion, hardness, gloss, and corrosion resistance remains challenging. This study explores the interactions among various raw materials in water-based DTM formulations, emphasising how binders, anticorrosive pigments, functional fillers, and additives affect key properties such as viscosity, gloss, adhesion, and overall performance. Using a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach, the study identifies two key findings: first, there is a notable interaction between the selection of fillers and anticorrosive pigments; second, the most significant influence on anticorrosive properties comes from the choice of wetting and dispersing additives. These insights underscore the potential to develop high-performance water-based DTM coatings that not only meet market demands for durability, visual appeal, and protection but also align with sustainability objectives."