Advancing paints for plastics with water-based emulsions

Handheld objects such as cell phones, computers, laptops and helmets need to be able to withstand tough and varied conditions. The plastic casing or layer needs to be protected from chemicals and wear & tear to ensure a long lifetime. To create this protection paints with Mowilith® LDP 8601 can be used.

Solvent-based emulsions offer good scratch and chemical resistance but have serious drawbacks as well. Most solvents are classified as volatile organic compounds (VOC). The solvents will slowly evaporate from the plastic, during the coating processes in the manufactory, causing a strong unpleasant smell that can have hazardous consequences to the health of factory workers, creating an undesirable work environment. In order to improve the working conditions as well as increase the health and safety of people and the environment most paint manufactories seek to control and reduce their VOC profile.

Mowilith® LDP 8601 is a 1K self-crosslinking emulsion developed by Archroma to enable customers to work with a water-based coating system on plastic substrates(ABS & Polycarbonate). As it is water-based and therefore solvent-free Mowilith® LDP 8601 has none of the health risks associated with solvents nor does it have the odor issue, all at a similar level of performance compared to solvent-based emulsions. Mowilith® LDP 8601 provides excellent adhesion to ABS and PC plastic substrates and a good chemical resistance. This together with good friction resistance will ensure the durable and long-lasting paint protection. Mowilith® LDP 8601 exhibits excellent performance with the ethanol wipe test and is as such a highly suitable emulsion in paints meant for mobile phones, laptops, helmets or any other handheld object which is in regular contact with skin and sweat. Additionally, the good arrangement for effect pigment and high RCA times enable Mowilith® LDP 8601 to be a good solution for water-based plastic paints.