Definition and meaning
Coating additives are ingredients added to coatings in addition to the main film-forming substances, pigments, fillers, and solvents. They are substances that can significantly improve a certain specific property of the coating or coating film. They are used in small amounts in coating formulas, mainly in the form of various inorganic and organic compounds, including high molecular polymers. Coating additives are an indispensable component of coatings. They can improve production processes, maintain storage stability, improve construction conditions, improve product quality, and impart special functions. Rational and correct selection of additives can reduce costs and improve economic benefits.

Types and classification of coating additives
1.According to the production and use stages of coatings,
The manufacturing stage includes: initiators, dispersants, ester exchange catalysts.
The reaction process includes: defoamers, emulsifiers, filter aids, etc.
The storage stage includes: anti-skinning agents, anti-precipitation agents, thickeners, thixotropic agents, anti-floating and blooming agents, anti-gelling agents, etc.
The construction stage includes: leveling agents, anti-cratering agents, anti-sagging agents, hammer-marking agents, flow control agents, plasticizers, etc.
The film-forming stage includes: coalescence agents, adhesion promoters, photoinitiators, light stabilizers, drying agents, gloss enhancement, slip enhancement, matting agent, curing agent, cross-linking agent, catalytic agents, etc.
The special functions includes: flame retardant, biocidal, anti-algae, antistatic agent, conductive, corrosion inhibition, anti-rust additives, etc.
Generally speaking, according to their uses, they include adhesion promoters, anti-blocking agents, anti-cratering agents, anti-floating agents, anti-color floating agents, defoaming agents, anti-foaming agents, anti-gelling agents, viscosity stabilizers, antioxidants, anti-skinning agents, anti-sagging agents, anti-precipitation agents, antistatic agents, conductivity control agents, mildew inhibitors, preservatives, coalescence aids, corrosion inhibitors, rust inhibitors, dispersants, wetting agents, drying agents, flame retardants, flow control agents, hammer grain aids, draining agents, matting agents, light stabilizers, photosensitizers, optical brighteners, plasticizers, slip agents, anti-scratch agents, thickeners, thixotropic agents, etc.

2. According to their functions in processing, storage, construction, and film formation,
To improve the performance of coating production process: wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, defoaming agents, etc.
To improve the storage and transportation performance of coatings: anti-settling agents, anti-skinning agents, preservatives, freeze-thaw stabilizers, etc.;
To improve the construction performance of coatings: thixotropic agents, anti-sagging agents, resistance regulators, etc.;
To improve the curing and film-forming properties of coatings: drying agents, curing accelerators, photosensitizers, photoinitiators, film-forming aids, etc.;
To prevent paint film performance: anti-sagging agents, leveling agents, anti-floating and floating agents, adhesion agents, thickeners, etc.;
To give coatings some special properties: UV absorbers, light stabilizers, flame retardants, antistatic agents, mildew inhibitors, etc.

In summary, coating additives play a vital role in enhancing the performance, stability, and application properties of paint formulations. A clear understanding of additive types and functions is essential for achieving high-quality results.

If you’re looking for more information or need assistance selecting the right additives for your specific application, feel free to reach out to us — we’re here to help.