Cobalt-free Driers for Alkyd Coatings: Optimal Selection & Use

Cobalt driers being under scrutiny, industry is under pressure to find less toxic alternatives. At present, no ready-to-use solution works perfectly and success is in the ability to combine driers together for an efficient multi-step effect. In this context, better forget about the trial-and-error approach and review how the various driers work to make educated decisions!

1. Open up to finer drying / hardness optimization with cobalt alternatives by better understanding the role of metal ions on autoxidation/cross-linking processes
2. Clarify how alternative driers (Mn, Fe, Cu, V, Ce...) compare against Cobalt in term of catalyst, film hardness, color, skin formation... to build effective combination
3. Troubleshoot faster problems (loss of dry, wrinkling, water retention, soft film, poor gloss, discoloration, durability…) using the right surface & auxiliary driers at the right loading

Formulators, technicians, managers involved in the development of air-drying waterborne and high solids alkyd paints, inks and varnishes.

The following sections will be covered during this session:

1. Introduction
2. Autoxidation and cross-linking of air-drying WB- and SB- paints
        • Autoxidation drying process
        • Role of metal ions in autoxidation reactions
3. Key characteristics of main siccatives
4. Application of drier combinations
5. Optimizing drier selection for waterborne alkyd paints
        • Main parameters affecting drying performance
        • General drier combinations for WB systems
6. Optimizing drier selection for high solids alkyd paints
        • Main shortcomings of high solid paints in relation to drying
        • Proven successes for high solid paints
        • Effect increased by cobalt drier
7. Replacing cobalt driers
        • Main reasons for reviewing cobalt drier
        • REACH status of cobalt carboxylates
        • Potential replacements for cobalt drier
        • New developments
8. Problem solving by drier optimization
        • Poor tack-free time
        • Poor total dry
        • Loss-of-dry
        • Poor gloss in WB alkyds
        • Soft film in HS alkyd
9. Summary