How to Achieve a Matte Wood Finish without Compromising Performance
Matting agents are added to wood coatings to help achieve a natural wood look, but traditional matting agents also reduce a coating’s chemical resistance, transparency, and durability. The result is a final product that may look great in-store but can’t withstand the wear and tear of everyday use – what good is that? You can imagine the frustration and dissatisfaction from customers when their wood products don’t hold up. Alternative matting agents, such as waxes or poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), can be used; however, these matting agents tend to be much more expensive, require more additive to achieve the same gloss level, and often cannot achieve the desired clarity.
So, how can coatings formulators achieve both low-gloss AND high-performance wood products?
To address the shortcomings of conventional silica matting agents, the silica experts here at Grace developed the SYLOID® AQ product line. It employs proprietary technology to produce a low-gloss finish that doesn’t significantly impact the critical parameters of the coating system—enabling high optical clarity without compromising durability and chemical resistance.
“With SYLOID® AQ, you can get a high-performing water-based matting agent to achieve the desired gloss level at a price that is lower than alternative additives,” said James Bowler, Global Marketing Manager at Grace.
The shift towards waterborne coatings can also help minimize environmental impact and contain low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Traditional solvent-based systems often contain VOCs, which represent a serious concern for both environment impact and worker safety (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
SYLOID® AQ offers superior chemical resistance, as shown in this stain test against a competitor matting agent.
The SYLOID® AQ series represents the next evolution in silica coatings additives, engineered to help you achieve:
Excellent gloss/sheen balance
Good burnishing, scratch and abrasion resistance
High chemical resistance and clarity
Low dusting and better handling
Mix and match: Achieve optimal properties by blending SYLOID® AQ products
The SYLOID® AQ family of matting agents are designed to work together, allowing formulators to blend them at any ratio—that means you can “dial-in” your performance and obtain the desired look and feel you want. SYLOID® AQ800 provides excellent matting efficiency, while the premium SYLOID® AQ880 achieves superior chemical resistance and clarity. Depending on your desired performance, you can blend the two products to achieve optimal properties for your specific formulation.
Smooth as silica: Flexible formulations for customers around the world
Every formulation is customer-specific, giving you the flexibility to tailor coatings for specific customer segments. For example, there is growing demand for wood flooring products which are very low gloss but are smooth to the touch in Asia, where it is more common for people to sit on the floor and touch its surface. “If the surface feels smooth to the touch, it is perceived as a higher quality product,” explained Bowler.
For formulators looking to provide end-users with the optimal combination of performance properties at a reduced cost compared to industry alternatives, discover the family of SYLOID® AQ matting agents from Grace.