Opacity optimization of waterbased coatings

The effective use of titanium dioxide pigments and opaque polymers together in decorative paints is considered. Results show that while it is true that opaque polymers can produce cost effective opacity under some conditions, under others their use can actually reduce opacity through flocculation and/or pigment crowding. The performance window for opaque polymers in semigloss latex paints is predicted using designed experiment techniques. This information is presented along with a discussion of the possible causes for the opacity loss observed under some conditions.