Water based Wetting & Dispersing Agent HXFS03
with high-surface-area organic pigments—phthaloc
Technical Information
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High molecular weight block copolymer with pigment-affinity groups (yellow clear liquid, 39–41% active)
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Steric stabilization ensures deflocculation, reduces viscosity, and enhances gloss, color strength, transparency, and hiding power
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Ideal for resin-free pigment concentrates, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, and water-based pigment pastes (30–60% pigment content) with excellent storage stability
Overview:
water-based-wetting-dispersing-agent-HXFS03 is a standard additive for resin-free pigment concentrates, also suitable for water-based coating systems, printing inks, and adhesives. Its main composition is a high molecular weight (MW) block copolymer solution with pigment-affinity groups. At 25°C, water-based-wetting-dispersing-agent-HXFS03 appears as a yellow clear liquid, using water as the solvent, with an active content of 39.0%-41.0%.
It stabilizes pigments via steric hindrance to achieve deflocculation, enhances pigment gloss and color strength, improves the transparency of transparent pigments and hiding power of opaque pigments, and reduces viscosity to optimize flow properties. Widely applied in water-based pigment concentrates, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, etc., the water-based-wetting-dispersing-agent-HXFS03 is especially fit for water-based resin-free organic/inorganic pigment pastes (30-60% pigment content) with excellent storage stability. Recommended dosages vary by pigment type; note to warm and stir it to 20°C before use if stratified/cloudy at below 0°C.
Main Composition:
High MW block copolymer solution with pigment-affinity groups
Why Choose HXFS03?
Water based Wetting & Dispersing Agent HXFS03 is Honor Pigments’ advanced high-molecular-weight block copolymer dispersant designed specifically for resin-free pigment concentrates and premium waterborne industrial coatings. Unlike conventional polyacrylate dispersants (such as HXFS04) that rely on electrostatic repulsion for pigment stabilization, HXFS03 employs steric stabilization—its pigment-affinity anchor groups adsorb firmly onto pigment surfaces while the hydrophilic copolymer chains extend into the aqueous phase, creating a physical barrier that prevents re-agglomeration even at pigment loadings exceeding 40% by weight. This mechanism delivers measurably higher color strength development (+8–15% versus conventional dispersants in phthalocyanine and DPP pigment systems) and enables the production of pumpable, storage-stable concentrates with up to 60% pigment content. In automotive waterborne basecoat formulations, HXFS03-dispersed pigment pastes demonstrate zero flocculation after 12-month accelerated storage at 40°C. For flexographic and gravure printing ink applications, its narrow molecular weight distribution ensures consistent dot gain and color reproduction across extended print runs. Compared to HXFS04—Honor’s sodium polycarboxylate dispersant for filled systems—HXFS03 is the preferred choice when maximum color development, transparency preservation, and long-term concentrate stability are critical performance requirements, particularly for high-value organic pigments where flocculation directly compromises functional properties.
Physicochemical Parameters:
| Parameter | Value |
| Appearance (25°C) | Yellow clear liquid |
| Solvent | Water |
| Active Content | 39.0%-41.0% |
Parameter Interpretation:
Appearance (25°C): The characteristic yellow tint originates from the block copolymer’s pigment-affinity aromatic anchor groups and does not affect final coating color at recommended dosage levels (typically below 2% of total formulation weight). The clarity confirms full polymer dissolution without micelle formation or phase separation.
Solvent: Water as the sole solvent ensures zero VOC contribution and full compliance with EU Directive 2004/42/EC for decorative and automotive refinish coatings, eliminating the regulatory burden associated with co-solvent-containing dispersants in environmentally regulated markets.
Active Content (39.0%–41.0%): The active polymer range is deliberately controlled within a narrow ±1% manufacturing tolerance to guarantee reproducible concentrate viscosity batch-to-batch—critical for inkjet ink formulations and high-speed gravure applications where viscosity variation directly impacts jetting reliability, drop formation, and ink transfer consistency.
Product Characteristics:
Stabilizes pigments through steric hindrance, achieving deflocculation
Micronized pigments increase gloss and color strength
Improves transparency of transparent pigments and hiding power of opaque pigments
Excellent viscosity reduction improves flow characteristics
Applications:
water-based pigment concentrates
Architectural coatings
Industrial coatings
Automotive coatings
Wood & furniture coatings
Anticorrosive coatings
Can coatings
Printing inks
*Note: This versatile additive is particularly suitable for water-based resin-free organic/inorganic pigment pastes (30-60% pigment content) with outstanding storage stability.
Recommended Dosage:
Inorganic pigments: 10-20%
Titanium dioxide: 2-5%
Organic pigments: 15-30%
Carbon black: 30-100%
(The above dosages are for reference only. Optimal dosage should be determined through testing.)
Addition Method:
Non-toxic, non-flammable
May stratify or turn cloudy when stored/transported below 0°C – warm to 20°C with stirring before use
Storage & Packaging:
Non-toxic, non-flammable.
Shelf life: Minimum 12 months from production date when stored unopened in original containers at 4°C-40°C.
Packaging: 25kg & 200kg plastic-lined iron drums; 1000kg IBC totes.
Why Choose Honor Pigments?
- 🌍 Global Export Expertise — Trusted by customers in 40+ countries for consistent quality and reliable supply
- ✅ Strict Quality Control — ISO 9001 certified with batch-to-batch consistency and zero-defect policy
- 💰 OEM Production Advantage — Competitive pricing without compromising pigment performance
- 🧪 Technical Support — Free color matching, formulation advice and sample testing before bulk order
📩 Need more details?
Request TDS, SDS, or a free sample for testing.
Frequently Asked Questions — HXFS03
How does steric stabilization in HXFS03 differ from electrostatic dispersion mechanisms?
Steric stabilization, the mechanism employed by HXFS03’s block copolymer structure, creates a physical barrier through solvated polymer chains extending from pigment surfaces into the aqueous phase. Unlike electrostatic repulsion (used by polyacrylate dispersants such as HXFS04), steric stabilization is largely independent of pH and ionic strength, making it far more robust in high-solids pigment concentrates and formulations containing electrolytes or multivalent ions. This explains why HXFS03-stabilized pigment concentrates maintain consistent viscosity over extended storage where electrostatically stabilized systems would progressively flocculate or gel.
Which pigment types benefit most from HXFS03 dispersion?
HXFS03 delivers the greatest performance advantage with high-surface-area organic pigments—phthalocyanine blues and greens (PB15, PG7), DPP reds (PR254), quinacridones (PR122, PV19), and carbon blacks—where its pigment-affinity anchor groups prevent the strong inter-particle attractions that cause hard settling, color strength loss, and transparency degradation over time. For inorganic pigments and titanium dioxide, HXFS03 provides excellent stability, but the cost-performance ratio may favor simpler polyacrylate dispersants like HXFS04 for formulations where ultimate color development is not the primary requirement.
What is the optimal addition sequence when using HXFS03 in pigment concentrate preparation?
For resin-free pigment concentrates, add HXFS03 to the water/cosolvent premix before pigment addition, allowing the dispersant to fully dissolve and equilibrate for 5–10 minutes under low-shear mixing. Add pigment gradually under high-shear dispersion (dissolver or bead mill), maintaining mill-base temperature below 60°C to prevent thermal degradation of the block copolymer structure. Post-grinding, allow the concentrate to deaerate for 2–4 hours before final viscosity adjustment with additional water or rheology modifier. The recommended dosage range is 15–30% on organic pigment weight and 30–100% on carbon black, depending on the specific surface area of the pigment grade.
How should HXFS03 be handled if it develops stratification during cold storage or transport?
HXFS03 may develop stratification or cloudiness when stored or transported below 0°C due to partial phase separation of the block copolymer from the aqueous phase. This phenomenon is fully reversible and does not indicate product degradation or loss of performance. Before use, warm the container to 20°C and stir gently with a low-shear paddle mixer (avoid high-shear dispersion which can introduce foam and shear-degrade the polymer) until the product returns to a homogeneous yellow clear liquid. Once re-homogenized, all dispersing performance characteristics are fully restored to original specification.