Umicore S.A. products

ECOS Mix 7 Neo D60 is a cobalt polymer mix drier for solvent-based applications. It combines 1% cobalt with zinc and barium. The product is a proven safe alternative for traditional cobalt-based mix driers. It contains the cobalt polymer ECOS ND15 and 2-ethylhexanoate-free secondary and auxiliary driers. The combination of Co, Ba and Zn in the mix drier provides a good surface drying as well as a good through drying of the coating. Barium prevents loss of drying activity and allows enhanced gloss. Zinc is an open time regulator that ensures improved through drying.

VALIREX Ca 4 OB D60 is a calcium-based metal carboxylate with 4% Ca content. It is an overbased chemistry. Calcium carboxylates are very useful in combination with primary driers such as cobalt and manganese. They help to improve hardness and gloss, and reduce skin-formation, silking and blooming. They are also useful as pigment wetting/dispersing agents and loss-of-dry inhibitors. Calcium carboxylates are not recommended for coatings subject to dry under adverse conditions (water sensitivity).

VALIREX Zn 10 D60 is a zinc octoate grade with 10% Zn, dissolved in D60. The product is used as liquid paint drier. It regulates open time and improves through drying of oxidatively curing coatings. VALIREX Zn 10 D60 is diluted in D60 to reduce viscosity and to have optimal compatibility in coatings.

VALIREX Zr 12 D60 is a zirconium-based metal carboxylate with 12% Zr, diluted in D60. The product is used in paint & coating applications as a secondary drier/siccative, often used in combination with cobalt and calcium carboxylates. Zirconium carboxylate paint driers improve the through-dry of auto-oxidative drying systems and are especially active on alkyd resins containing high levels of hydroxyl groups.

"Alkyds," short for alkyd resins, are formed by chemically reacting a polyalcohol with an organic acid or anhydride, and a vegetable oil or fatty acid. The reaction process consumes the acid, leading to a decreasing acid value the longer the process continues. The reaction also generates a 3D structure, which results in increasing viscosity. The alkyd resin manufacturing process is stopped once the target acid value and/or viscosity profile is achieved, determining the final alkyd resin properties. Depending on the oil length (the vegetable oil content), alkyds can be categorized as short, medium, or long oil alkyd resins.