Wetting Dispersing Agent Specifically for Carbon Black

Our high performance cost Wetting and dispersing agents are specially developed for white pigments Titanium dioxide, iron oxide pigments, high-pigment carbon black, organic pigments and fillers to be uniformly distributed in the liquid medium, preventing flocculation, settling, and surface defects. In coatings, pigment dispersion directly affects color strength, gloss, hiding power, and storage stability. Wetting and dispersing agents help pigments and fillers distribute evenly in the liquid medium, preventing flocculation, settling, and surface defects. This guide outlines the main types, dosage, and usage.   How They Work: Wetting vs. Dispersing Wetting displaces air and moisture from pigment surfaces, allowing the medium to spread over the particles. Dispersion breaks agglomerates into primary particles and keeps them stable. Stabilization relies on electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance. Modern polymeric dispersants often combine both mechanisms. Main Types of Wetting and Dispersing Agents Anionic dispersants carry negative charges and work well for positively charged pigments. Carboxylates, sulfonates, and phosphate esters are common; polyacrylate salts are widely used in water-based systems. Cationic dispersants carry positive charges and suit negatively charged pigments, such as quaternary ammonium salts for carbon black. Non-ionic dispersants have no charge, resist pH changes, and provide steric stabilization. Polyoxyethylene ethers and PEG esters are typical; Triton X-100 is a common wetting agent. Amphoteric dispersants contain both charges—betaine derivatives, for example—and offer broad compatibility. Polymeric/high-molecular-weight dispersants are the most advanced. Multiple anchoring groups bind strongly to pigment surfaces, while long chains provide steric stability. Examples include acrylic copolymers, polyurethane, polyester/polyamide, and hyperbranched polyesters. They reduce viscosity and allow higher pigment loading. Kabasph® KBS-6040 and KBS-6062B are examples.     Pigment Type Recommended Dosage (active on pigment weight) Notes     Inorganic pigments (TiO₂, iron oxides) 0.5% – 5% Lower surface area     Organic pigments 10% – 45% Higher surface area     Carbon black (LCF) 15% – 20% High surface area, difficult     Carbon black (HCC) 50% – 80% Very high surface area, maximum dispersant   Dosage Guidelines Optimal dosage is critical. Too little causes poor dispersion and flocculation; too much can cause foam, adhesion loss, and film defects. The ideal is a dense monomolecular adsorption layer. For solvent-based concentrates with unknown surface area, start at 2%–20% on pigment weight and adjust by testing.   Practical Usage Recommendations Add dispersants during dispersion or milling, before or with pigments and fillers, to maximize adsorption. Determine optimal dosage by plotting dosage against viscosity. Viscosity usually reaches a minimum at the best dosage, while gloss and color strength peak. Resins compete for pigment surface adsorption. Balance resin concentration: too high hinders anchoring; too low destabilizes the system.   System-specific guidelines: Solvent-based automotive/industrial coatings: Polymeric dispersants such as Kabasph-6161A (0.5–2.5% of formula) stabilize carbon black and organic pigments in PU and baking systems. Water-based architectural coatings: Acrylic copolymer dispersants (0.3–1.0%) stabilize TiO₂ and extenders. Universal pigment concentrates: Multi-compatible dispersants (15–45% for organic pigments) enable resin-free pastes for solvent, water, and UV systems.   Key Selection Factors Pigment type: Inorganic pigments (TiO₂, fillers) → anionic or phosphate ester; organic pigments and carbon black → polymeric dispersants with multiple anchoring groups. Resin system: Ensure compatibility to avoid turbidity, separation, or poor adhesion. Solvent type: Hydrophilic solvents need different HLB values than hydrophobic systems. Application: High-gloss automotive finishes need low haze and high DOI; anti-corrosion primers prioritize rheology and film integrity. Regulatory compliance: APEO-free and low-VOC options are increasingly preferred.   AAB Group: Your Partner for High-Performance Dispersing Solutions With nearly two decades of expertise, China AAB Group (www.aabindustrygroup.com) offers wetting and dispersing agents under the Kabasph® brand. ISO 9001, 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certified, its 40,000 m² production base delivers 6,000 tons annually for automotive, industrial, marine, anti-corrosion, wood, and architectural coatings. Our product range includes: Kabasph-6161A: Solvent-free polymeric dispersant for automotive and industrial coatings, ideal for carbon black and organic pigments. Kabasph® KBS-6860: High-efficiency viscosity-reducing dispersant for TiO₂ and fillers (analogous to BYK-111). Kabasph® KBS-6110: Anionic dispersant for inorganic pigments in solvent-based and solvent-free systems, widely used in coil and automotive OEM coatings. Kabasph® KBY-6881: Universal dispersant compatible with water-borne, solvent-borne, and UV-curable systems. Kabasph® KBS-6173: Specialty polymer dispersant for carbon black and transparent red pigments, with strong adhesion in baking and heavy-duty anti-corrosion systems. AAB Group is committed to “pursuing honesty and quality, winning hearts and profits together.” We serve multinational paint manufacturers across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea with reliable, innovative, and sustainable additive solutions. For technical support, samples, or customized formulation assistance, contact info@aabindustrygroup.com or visit www.aabindustrygroup.com.