TMC GmbH is a company specialized in recipe consolidation and the resulting raw material simplification. Various computational analysis methods are used for this purpose. One example is the solubility parameters according to Hansen, which are available for many raw materials.

Solubility parameters are ideal key figures in recipe optimization and for replacing individual raw materials, such as solvent replacement or the selection of flow additives. Also, binder compatibility and the resulting transparency of coatings such as automotive base & clear coats can be greatly simplified by determining Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP). Solvent and resin selection is calculated by TMC GmbH using HSP values and then used in recipe and raw material consolidation. Due to the current raw material situation and when replacing newly classified raw materials, it is necessary to know the same solubility properties as in the existing formulation.

In collaboration with VLCI, the possibility of comparing different dispersant additive structures and pigment post-treatments was also considered. In the case of carbon blacks, oxidation can lead to a significantly more acidic and polar surface. In addition, the relationship to corresponding dispersant additives was considered. Selected for the HSP analysis were the two dispersing additives that give very good blackness (jetness) in the case of carbon black and in the case of post-oxidized furnace black. The selection of the dispersing additives according to the pigment surface was successfully enabled via the Hansen parameters. Furthermore, a direct correlation of the polarity of the pigment surfaces with the HSP values of dispersing additives could be shown.

Further information on the study can be found at SpecialChem.