Coalescents used in wood finishes include butoxy propanol, butoxy propoxy propanol, Texanol and propylene glycol. Butoxy ethanol (butyl glycol) was a very popular coalescent, but due to its toxicity, it is much less popular now.
(i) Matting Agents
Conventional silica matting agents can be used. Some suppliers manufacture specific grades for use in water based systems, but, in general, standard grades are suitable.
Care must be taken in selection as rheological properties can be affected by matting agents, especially if high levels or fine particle size grades are used, which can lead to poor flow or air entrapment.
Waxes or wax dispersions are used to control sheen, to improve feel and to reduce hard settlement. These waxes and dispersions can produce greatly enhanced feel, slip and anti blocking properties as well as reducing sheen levels.
Suppliers include Akzo, Alfa, Byk, Crosfield, Daniel, Grace, and Kromachem.