3M™ Fluorosurfactants

For Paints and Coatings

Keep your
products
flowing
• Create smoother,
more uniform coatings
• Reduce surface defects
• Improve leveling
and flow control
 From smooth walls and gleaming floors to the
paint job on your car, there’s more to a uniform
surface finish than meets the eye.

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 3M™ Fluorosurfactants

The science of smooth.

Advanced wetting and leveling agents
for smoother, defect-free finishes

Contamination, surface defects and hard-to-wet surfaces can

cause all manner of problems in paints and coatings. Unsightly
“orange peel,” cratering, “fish eyes” and picture framing effects
are just some of the problems formulators face.
The science behind a smooth, defect-free painted or coated
surface starts with the addition of surfactants, which are used
to decrease the coating’s surface tension. The lower the surface
tension, the more effectively a coating wets, levels and spreads –
even on contaminated surfaces. And no surfactant lowers surface
tension more effectively than those made with fluorochemicals – Applications
like 3M™ Fluorosurfactants. • Paints
Based on our innovative C4 chemistry platform, • Resins
3M fluorosurfactants offer formulators an outstanding
level of performance and control in a broad range of • Adhesives
water- and solvent-based coatings. • Inks
• Clearcoats
3M Fluorosurfactants for paints and coatings
™
• Floor coverings
• Reduce surface tension
• Help paints and coatings overcome
surface contamination
•E
 ffective in both aqueous
and solvent-borne systems
•W
 etting agent
•L
 eveling agent
• Dirt pick up resistant
•E
 asy oil stain removal
•O
 pen time improvement
•A
 nti block
•L
 ow foam

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3M™ Fluorosurfactants

Improved wetting
How does it work? For a liquid to wet a surface, its surface tension must be lower than the surface
energy of the substrate and all the contaminants on the substrate.
3M fluorosurfactants concentrate at the
liquid surface, lowering the surface tension 3M™ Fluorosurfactants aid in the wetting of a coating applied to a variety of
of the liquid. This allows the liquid to wet materials, including hard-to-wet surfaces such as plastics and oily metals. They can
and spread more evenly, and reduces even help overcome contamination from roller grease, condensation drip, dust, gel
the possibility of surface defects. particles or silicones. Lowering surface tension during application helps to prevent
Take a look at some of the common surface defects, including cratering, picture framing, fish eyes and de-wetting.
problems that can be reduced or eliminated What’s more, 3M fluorosurfactants help to maintain low surface tension throughout
by adding 3M fluorosurfactants.
the entire drying process. This helps to create smoother, higher gloss coatings.

Higher Surface Tension Better leveling

When a liquid contains components of different surface tensions and areas of
different evaporation rates, there is the possibility that surface tension gradients
could form defects at the liquid/air interface. These defects are in the form of a
Orange Peel surface roughness often referred to as “orange peel.” 3M fluorosurfactants improve
Solids Migrate Due to leveling by reducing or even eliminating these gradients during the coating dry down
Surface Tension Gradient
phase—resulting in a smoother, more uniform surface.
If a coating contains components of different
surface tensions, the solids will tend to
migrate, resulting in an “orange peel” effect. Improved stain resistance and reduced dirt pick-up
Driven by the demand for low VOC* paints, major architectural decorative paint
High Surface Tension manufacturers are seeking ways to improve the dirt pick-up resistance of exterior
decorative paint formulations, and to improve the stain resistant and easy-to-clean
Low properties for interior paints. 3M fluorosurfactants can improve stain resistance and
Fluid dirt pick-up properties, especially in high PVC VAE binder paints. These surfactants
Flow also provide good wetting performance, anti-block and improvement in open time.
Cratering Contaminant The additive level generally ranges from 0.1–0.2% based on the level of solids.
*Low VOC has no standard global definition. In the U.S., the EPA defines low as less than
Substrate 250 g/l of volatile organic compounds. Green Seal defines low as less than 50 g/l.

Contaminants can cause surface

tension gradients, resulting in a
“cratering” or “fish eye” effect.

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 3M™ Fluorosurfactants

Fluorosurfactants vs. hydrocarbon and silicone surfactants

Based on an innovative fluorochemical building block, 3M™ Fluorosurfactants are
polymers that show the same performance benefits that have long differentiated
fluorochemicals from competing surfactant technologies, such as silicones
and hydrocarbons.
With 3M fluorosurfactants, very little product is necessary to achieve a significant
surface tension reduction of a formulation, which for customers means low use levels.
Hydrocarbons, in contrast, often require an order of magnitude more product to
significantly reduce surface tensions, and the surface tension levels reached do not
approach those possible with 3M fluorosurfactants. Intercoat and second coat adhesion
can often be adversely affected when using silicone or other fluorochemical surfactants.
However, in formulations using 3M fluorosurfactants this problem has not been
observed, even at higher loading levels. Fluorinated Surfactant

See how they compare

Compared to other surfactant technologies, 3M fluorosurfactants are more effective
at reducing the level of surface tension in both aqueous and non-aqueous systems.

Surface tension after adding surfactant

3M™ Fluorosurfactants
Surfactants

Hydrocarbon surfactants

Silicone surfactants Hydrocarbon Surfactant

0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Surface Tension (dyne/cm)

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3M™ Fluorosurfactants

Surface Tension Reduction Potential of 3M™ Fluorosurfactants

With 3M fluorosurfactants, The following table shows the surface tension reduction potential (in dynes/cm) of
you get consistent, reliable 3M™ Fluorosurfactants FC-4430, FC-4432 and FC-4434 in some commonly available
product performance – water-borne resins in comparison to competitive hydrocarbon and silicone surfactants.
with supplies available in
production quantities. Surface Tension/CMC (in water)
3M has been a leader in Competitive
HC Silicone
No FC-4430 FC-4432 FC
fluorochemistry for over Resin Surfactants Surfactant
Surfactant 0.3% 0.3% Surfactant
1.00% 0.5%
60 years, and has been 0.3%
supplying C4 chemistry NeoCryl™ 39.1 29.0 24.3 20.1 26.1 27.3
to the industry since 2001.
We have the experience NeoRez™
43.1 29.8 21.2 19.9 24.4 23.8
R-941
– and the expertise – to
meet your needs. NeoRez™
47.4 33.1 21.2 20.4 24.2 22.8
R-9621
Joncryl ®
37.4 31.8 19.7 21.0 25.6 27.6
537
Joncryl ®
38.4 32.9 21.2 23.4 26.9 28.9
1532
Joncryl®
41.0 31.2 19.7 20.2 25.4 27.1
1925
Joncryl®
38.9 27.6 22.4 21.9 26.3 27.6
1972

Low Dynamic Surface Tensions

Dynamic surface tension data describe the ability of a surfactant to move and
organize in a solution. Low dynamic surface tensions or rapid surfactant migration
can be important in high-speed coating processes or low viscosity systems.
3M fluorosurfactants can reduce dynamic surface tensions to lower levels than
other fluorosurfactants as illustrated in this chart.

Fluorosurfactant Surface Tension vs Bubble Frequency in Water

80
Surface Tension (mN/m)

70

60

50

40

30
20
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Bubble Frequency (Hz)
Water Telomer Anionic FC-4432 FC-4430

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 3M™ Fluorosurfactants

Low Interfacial Surface Tensions at Low Concentrations

The ability to obtain lower interfacial surface tension is a key requirement
for the stabilization of pigments and polymer resins in an aqueous formulation.
3M™ Fluorosurfactants can provide low interfacial surface tensions as indicated
by the following table.

Interfacial Tension Interfacial Tension

Light Phase: Heptane (dynes/cm) Light Phase: Cyclohexane (dynes/cm)
Surfactant
200ppm 0.5% 1.0% 200 ppm 0.5% 1.0%
3M™ Fluorosurfactant
FC-4430
Control 43.7 51.2

FC-4430 3.5 2.2 – 2.5 1.5 –

FC-4432 4.2 2.6 – 4.2 2.1 –

SDS1 15.4 6.1 5.8 12.9 5.0 4.9

SDS-102 15.9 4.1 3.7 13.5 2.9 2.6

Silicone
14.4 10.9 10.5 11.7 8.8 8.8
Dispersant
Competitor
1
Sodium dodecyl sulfate
2
Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate

Product Safety and Handling

3M fluorosurfactants FC-4430, FC-4432 and FC-4434 are intended for use in
non-dispersive applications.
3M does not recommend these products for use in applications involving repeated
exposure through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion. They are not intended for
food, cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical usage. Neither 3M nor the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration has evaluated or reviewed these products for food, cosmetic,
medical or pharmaceutical applications.
It is the user’s responsibility to determine whether a coating containing these
products is durable and properly cured for the end use. Any used or unused material No Surfactant
for disposal should be incinerated in an industrial or commercial facility in the
presence of a combustible material. Combustion products will include HF. Facility
must be capable of handling halogenated materials. As a disposal alternative, dispose
of waste product in a facility permitted to accept chemical waste. For additional
disposal information, see the product’s Safety Data Sheet.
For additional product safety and handling information, please read the product
labels and Safety Data Sheets before using these products.

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3M™ Fluorosurfactants

3M Resources
To request a sample,
place an order or request
additional information,
please contact your local
3M representative, an
authorized 3M distributor
or call 1-800-367-8905.

Warranty, Limited Remedy, and Disclaimer: Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge and control can affect the use
and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. User is solely responsible for evaluating the 3M product and determining whether it is fit
for a particular purpose and suitable for user’s method of application. User is solely responsible for evaluating third party intellectual property rights
and for ensuring that user’s use of 3M product does not violate any third party intellectual property rights. Unless a different warranty is specifically
stated in the applicable product literature or packaging insert, 3M warrants that each 3M product meets the applicable 3M product specification at
the time 3M ships the product. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY
OF NON-INFRINGEMENT OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION ARISING OUT OF A COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM OR USAGE OF
TRADE. If the 3M product does not conform to this warranty, then the sole and exclusive remedy is, at 3M’s option, replacement of the 3M product or
refund of the purchase price.
Limitation of Liability: Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss or damages arising from the 3M product, whether direct,
indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.
Technical Information: Technical information, recommendations, and other statements contained in this document or provided by 3M personnel are
based on tests or experience that 3M believes are reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Such information
is intended for persons with knowledge and technical skills sufficient to assess and apply their own informed judgment to the information. No license
under any 3M or third party intellectual property rights is granted or implied with this information.

3M Advanced Materials Division

3M Center
St. Paul, MN 55144 USA Please recycle. Printed in USA. NeoCryl and NeoRez are trademarks
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