German Technical Background VOK-361N Leveling Agent Used in Printing Inks to Prevent Cratering Replaces BYK-361N

German technical background  VOK® -FL 361N leveling agent

VOK®-FL 361N is an acrylic leveling agent for a wide range of coatings, printing inks and plastics curing at room temperature. It improves coating leveling while also preventing cratering and is a solvent-free version of VOK®-358N. 

Product information 

Chemical composition 

Polyacrylate 

Typical physicochemical data 

The data presented on this data page is typical and not a product specification. 

Density (20 °C): 1.03 g/ml 

Special reminder 

The thermally stable value of the additive is 240 °C. VOK®-358N is its 52% alkyl benzene solution version. 

Application areas 

Liquid coatings 

Features and benefits 

The additive is used as an additive to prevent cratering and improve leveling in all solventborne and solvent-free coating formulations. It can improve the gloss and long-wave leveling effect of the coating. It only slightly reduces the surface tension and does not affect recoating and interlayer adhesion. VOK®-361N does not cause varnish cloudiness and paint haze. 

Recommended dosage 

0.05-0.5% additive dosage (form of supply) is based on total formulation. 

The above recommended dosage is for reference, and the appropriate dosage needs to be determined through a series of tests. 

Addition method and processing guidance 

The additive can be added at any stage, including post-adding.

Powder coating 

Features and benefits 

The additive combines good cratering resistance, surface leveling and development. Fisheye and needle eye problems of powder coatings can be prevented. It does not cause cloudiness of powder coating varnishes and haze shadows of pigments. At the same time, the additive also has a relatively low viscosity and good compatibility, which is very easy to mix with the resin in the masterbatch production process. 

Recommended Use 

This additive is recommended for resin masterbatches in the manufacture of powder coatings, especially powder varnishes. 

Recommended dosage 

0.5-1.5% additive dosage (form of supply) is based on total formulation. 

The above recommended dosage is for reference, and the appropriate dosage needs to be determined through a series of tests 

Addition method and processing guidance 

The additive can be added to the powder coating resin at the final stage of the production process and mixed evenly with the resin. 

Printing inks and varnishes

Features and benefits 

The additive improves leveling and shine. Suitable for all solvent-free UV and water-based UV printing inks as well as varnishes. It reduces surface tension only slightly and does not affect recoating and interlayer adhesion. 

Recommended dosage 0.05-0.5% Additive dosage (form of supply) is based on total formulation. 

The above recommended dosage is for reference, and the appropriate dosage needs to be determined through a series of tests 

Addition method and processing guidance 

The additive can be added at any stage, including post-adding.

Features and benefits 

The additive has anti-cratering and improved leveling effects in all solventborne and solvent-free systems. It reduces surface tension only slightly and helps to improve the system's tolerance to spray mist and dust. VOK®-361Ndoes not cause clear varnish cloudiness and paint haze.

Recommended Use 

The additive is recommended for all room temperature curing systems such as unsaturated polyesters and epoxy resins. 

Recommended dosage 

0.1-0.5% Additive dosage (form of supply) is based on total formulation. 

The above recommended dosage is for reference, and the appropriate dosage needs to be determined through a series of tests. 

Addition method and processing guidance 

The additive can be added at any stage, including post-adding.