Coating properties such as film build and sag control can be adjusted using which type of additives?

Thixotropic additives are specifically designed to enhance the viscosity of coatings, which in turn improves film build and sag control. When thixotropic materials are incorporated into paint or coatings, they create a gel-like consistency that allows the coating to stand up better when applied to a vertical surface. This property helps to prevent sagging and dripping, ensuring a more even application and a smoother finish.

In addition to providing sag control, thixotropic additives can also facilitate better leveling and helps maintain the desired appearance over time. Therefore, they are crucial for achieving high-quality finishes in painting applications.

Other types of additives play different roles; for example, surfactants primarily reduce surface tension, driers accelerate the drying process of the coating, and fungicides add protection against mold and mildew, but none of these specifically address the issues of film build and sag control in the way that thixotropic additives do.