High-throughput screening for wetting and dispersing additive testing

Testing wetting and dispersing additives is challenging due to the large number of interacting variables. Additive chemistry determines wetting and stabilization efficiency, while pigment type, surface treatment, and particle size strongly influence performance.

Formulation parameters such as solvent system, binder type, and the number of ingredients add further complexity. In addition, the grinding process itself plays a critical role, as energy input and process conditions directly affect additive performance.

This complexity makes reproducible, predictive testing difficult and requires precise control of multiple parameters.

High-throughput screening (HTS) addresses this challenge by enabling the parallel evaluation of additive chemistries, pigments, and formulation variables, delivering fast, consistent, and comparable results.

• Study setup: 20 wetting and dispersing additives evaluated in pigment concentrates using high-throughput screening
   
• Dosage levels: 3 dosage levels
   
• Pigment variability: 9 different pigments
   
• Total workload:
  • 540 samples prepared
  • 1,620 measurements performed
• Timeline: Entire study completed within five days using HTS
   
• Outcome: Identification of the most effective wetting and dispersing additive and clear recommendation for the customer