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Home / News / Industry News / Aluminium Flake Settling, Uneven Metallic Effect, and Film Sagging — Why the Anti-Settling System Matters More Than You Think
Industry News
Waterborne Metallic Paint · Anti-Settling System · DH-6930S
Waterborne metallic paint contains aluminium and other flake-shaped metal pigments that make specific demands on the system's rheological stability. During storage, these pigments are susceptible to gravity-induced sedimentation. During application, if the system's flow behaviour is insufficient, sagging, uneven metallic arrangement, and inconsistent film appearance become difficult to control at the same time.
Three Interconnected Problems
Storage Sedimentation
After extended storage, metal pigments gradually settle. Once settled, re-dispersion is difficult and the system no longer represents the original uniform distribution.
Uneven Metallic Arrangement
After application, aluminium flakes are unevenly distributed in the wet film, resulting in an inconsistent metallic visual effect and variations in gloss across the coated surface.
Film Sagging
During vertical surface application, the coating flows too quickly, resulting in uneven film thickness and edge-build that is difficult to control through application technique alone.
Why Simply Increasing Viscosity Is Not Enough
Some formulations address sedimentation by increasing system viscosity. Simply raising viscosity can reduce settling rate, but may at the same time affect application flowability and film leveling performance. An effective anti-settling system needs to provide stability in the low-shear state of storage while maintaining good flow performance during application — achieving balance between storage stability and application performance rather than sacrificing one for the other.
At Rest (Storage)
Thixotropic structure supports metallic pigments against gravity — particles suspended, no sedimentation
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Under Shear (Application)
Structure breaks down under mixing and spray shear — coating flows freely with good leveling and metallic orientation
DH-6930S Waterborne Anti-Settling Agent
DH-6930S is a waterborne anti-settling agent with excellent thixotropic performance, anti-sagging capability, and anti-settling effect, suitable for waterborne coatings and metallic paint systems. It helps the system build an appropriate rheological structure that enhances the suspension stability of aluminium flakes and other pigments in the static storage state, reducing sedimentation. In waterborne metallic paint systems, it can also improve aluminium flake alignment and enhance film gloss and metallic appearance.
| Thixotropic Performance | Builds an appropriate flow structure that supports pigment suspension at rest while releasing freely under application shear |
| Anti-Settling Effect | Reduces sedimentation of aluminium flakes and other pigments during storage, maintaining a more uniform distribution |
| Anti-Sagging Performance | Provides low-shear structural resistance that prevents film sagging on vertical surfaces during application |
| Metallic Flake Alignment | In waterborne metallic paint, helps improve the arrangement of metallic pigments and enhances film gloss and metallic visual effect |
| Temperature Resistance | Maintains effective performance across varying storage and application temperatures |
| Dispersion Performance | Good dispersibility for incorporation into waterborne formulation systems |
| Application Method | Recommended to prepare as a pre-gel before addition to the formulation to achieve more complete performance |
In Summary
The stability and appearance quality of waterborne metallic paint are closely related to the anti-settling system design. Selecting an appropriate anti-settling agent can not only reduce sedimentation problems during storage, but also improve application sagging and metallic pigment arrangement — enabling the cured film to achieve a more stable and uniform performance across storage and application conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is pre-gel preparation recommended rather than direct addition?
Pre-gel preparation allows the anti-settling agent to fully hydrate and develop its thixotropic network before being introduced into the full formulation. Direct addition to a fully formulated system may not provide sufficient dispersion time for the additive to reach its full performance, particularly in high-viscosity or high-solid systems.
Does DH-6930S affect the gloss or transparency of the metallic finish?
At effective dosage levels, DH-6930S is designed to improve flake alignment and anti-settling performance without adversely affecting the gloss or transparency of the metallic finish. Overly high dosage may increase haze or affect surface leveling — evaluation at the recommended range is important.
Can it be used in non-metallic waterborne coatings for sag and settling control alone?
Yes — the thixotropic, anti-settling, and anti-sagging properties of DH-6930S are applicable in waterborne coating systems beyond metallic paint, wherever settling control and vertical surface sag resistance are required in a waterborne-compatible anti-settling agent.
