Surfynol® 104 Z

Stay Ahead of the Curve—Surfynol® 104 Z The Low-VOC Version of Surfynol® 104 Is Now Available   A New Star Is Born Surfynol® 104 E is one of the world's longest-known and most successful additives in automotive, industrial and even printing inks. For decades, it has been proven that the chemistry of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7 diol (TMDD) improves surface wetting and foam problems with minimal side effects. What makes this TMDD chemistry unique in water-based paints is this. The new Surfynol® 104 Z is the latest member of the Surfynol® 104 technology product family, whose success is known worldwide. This new, multifunctional, low-VOC, HAPS-free surfactant stands out with a better label. Wherever end users or regulatory requirements call for improvements in existing formulations and/or new developments, we can offer an easy-to-use, low-VOC solution that can replace existing Surfynol® 104 solutions.

I. Safety

Safety is our top priority and was given careful attention during the development of Surfynol® 104 Z. We have continuously received requests from the market and our customers for Surfynol® 104 to have a 50% active liquid version and better product, safer labeling. Comprehensive toxicology testing enabled us to remove both the health hazard symbol (listed with Surfynol 104 E and H) and the corrosive symbol that all other Surfynol® 104-solvent variants have.

II. VOC

Surfynol® 104 is a solid/waxy material at room temperature. The product must be heated to approximately 60°C to fully dissolve. To overcome this and create a fluid liquid additive, a wide variety of solvents are used. However, all of these solvents contain VOCs according to European and US base directives and guidelines. With Surfynol® 104 Z, we have responded to our customers' needs by developing a multifunctional additive that meets increasingly stringent low-VOC environmental impact requirements while maintaining the product's unique and well-known high performance level.

Benefits for Ink and Paint Formulations

The original Surfynol® 104 surfactant is accepted as a standard by which many surfactants are comparatively measured. Striking a balance between good wetting and foam control is a challenge that plagues many formulators and chemists. Traditional wetting agents typically retain too much foam. Effective foam suppressants, on the other hand, can negatively affect wetting. As a result, increasing wetting while minimizing foam becomes a constant balancing act. However, with this new Surfynol® 104 Z gemini (twin) surfactant, the balance can be permanently established. Reducing surface tension is an important property for any surfactant because it enables surface wetting by providing a surface energy lower than the surface tension of water. The reduction of surface tension at steady state can give the formulator a quick indicator of the effectiveness of a surfactant, while in many industrial applications it never reaches equilibrium. For this reason, in systems where surfaces are processed rapidly (printing, spraying, roller coatings, curtain coatings, etc.), it is important for the surfactant to rapidly transition to the interface to prevent film withdrawal and other surface defects. Surfynol® 104 Z reduces surface tension during rapid surface formation conditions (See Graph 1). This is due to its unique ability to rapidly transition to newly formed interfaces. As a result, Surfynol® 104 Z's performance under dynamic conditions significantly exceeds that of conventional surfactants. Surfynol® 104 Z belongs to the class of molecular foam suppressants that provide multifunctional performance with foam control and dynamic wetting properties. Molecular foam suppressants are surfactant agents that break foam at the molecular level, rather than destroying foam by providing incompatibility as in the operating principle of conventional foam suppressants (See Graph 2). Molecular foam suppressants reduce the film elasticity of bubbles at the foam interface to prevent stabilization. It also reduces the surface viscosity of the foam lamella and increases the rate of liquid drainage by interrupting the coalescence of components that stabilize the foam. These combined effects enhance foam suppression effectiveness. Additionally, molecular foam suppressants are easily incorporated into aqueous systems, thus eliminating the need for high shear forces that could entrap air during the incorporation process. [caption id="attachment_144480" align="aligncenter"] Graph 1: Surfynol® 104 Z can reduce surface tension under rapid film formation conditions.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_144482" align="aligncenter"] Graph 2: Surfynol® 104 Z belongs to the class of molecular foam suppressants that provide multifunctional performance with foam control and dynamic wetting.[/caption]

High Foam Suppression Effectiveness

Key Advantages of Surfynol® 104 Z

• Multifunctional gemini surfactant that combines dynamic wetting and molecular foam suppression properties. • 50% active low-viscosity liquid. • Can be added at every stage of production. • Supports VOC reduction. • Supports transition from solvent-based to water-based systems. • Supports better product labeling. • Does not contain HAPS. • Complies with various food-contact regulations. • Registered with global regulations. Due to its multifunctional nature, Surfynol® 104 Z has broad applicability in various formulations including industrial, plastic, transportation paints and coatings, wood stains and printing inks.   Author: Roger Reinartz Paint Additives Technical Manager Industrial Paints EMEA Region Evonik   Translation: Duygu Özgün Paint Additives Sales Manager Turkey and Azerbaijan Evonik