Maximize the efficiency

of your additive
STEPCOTE™ W-846: Multifunctional, APE-Free
Wetting Agent for Waterborne Coatings
STEPCOTE W-846 is an alternative to alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APE) for use in waterborne coatings. This
well-rounded, APE-free additive can provide benefits to gloss development, hiding, pigment dispersion and
temperature stability while preserving the wet scrub resistance of the coating.

Enhanced Gloss and Hiding

Improved gloss and hiding are indicative of optimized pigment dispersion. In Figure 1, STEPCOTE W-846
showed improved 20o and 60o gloss readings compared to a coating without an additive and comparable
performance to a commercial APE control (nonyl phenol 6-mole ethoxylate phosphate ester). When compared
to a coating without additive, STEPCOTE W-846 improved titanium dioxide (TiO2) dispersion that resulted in
enhanced hiding (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Gloss Development Figure 2. Hiding

80 0.99
20 Degree
60 Degree
60
Contrast Ratio
Gloss Reading

0.98

40 20 Degree
STEPCOTE 60 Degree 0.97
W-846 20

0 0.96
No APE STEPCOTE No APE STEPCOTE
Additive Control W-846 Additive Control W-846
ASTM D523: additive dosed at 3 lbs/100 gallons (active), all acrylic, ASTM D2805: additive dosed at 3 lbs/100 gallons (active), all acrylic,
29.8% PVC, <50 g/L VOC 29.8% PVC, <50 g/L VOC

Figure 3. TiO2 Dispersion Quality

800
The relative quality of the dispersion can be
-1, cps

700
1000
Failure

evaluated by change in viscosity. Lower viscosity 600

indicates efficient pigment wetting and better
Rate ofto10S

800
500
dispersion quality. When compared to a coating 400
Viscosity at ShearCycles

without additive and a commercial APE control, 600

300
STEPCOTE W-846 exhibited improved dispersion
200
400
quality of a 70% TiO2 pigment concentrate at a
dose of 0.5% (Figure 3). 100
200
0
No APE STEPCOTE STEPCOTE
0 Additive Control W-849 W-888
No APE STEPCOTE
Additive Control W-846
Additive tested at 0.5% use level with 70% TiO2 due to optimal
viscosity. Viscosity measured at Shear Rate of 10 S-1.
 No APE STEPCOTE
Additive Control W-846

Maintained Durability Figure 4. Wet Scrub Resistance

The wet scrub resistance of a coating was 900
maintained after the addition of STEPCOTE W-846. 800
In Figure 4, STEPCOTE W-846 exhibits equivalent

Cycles to Failure
700
performance compared to a coating without 600
additive and a commercial APE control. 500
400
300
200
100
0
No APE STEPCOTE
Additive Control W-846
ASTM D2486: additive dosed at 3 lbs/100 gallons (active), all acrylic,
29.8% PVC, <50 g/L VOC

Improved Temperature Stability Table 1. Freeze/Thaw Stability

STEPCOTE W-846 can provide improved temperature KU Viscosity
stability to a coating. After three freeze/thaw cycles, Freeze/Thaw
Additive Change
the coating with STEPCOTE W-846 maintained Cycles Passed
After 3 Cycles
its viscosity in contrast to the commercial APE No Additive 0 N/A
control (Table 1). After high temperature evaluations,
APE Control 3 -9
STEPCOTE W-846 demonstrated the least amount
of viscosity loss and separation when compared to STEPCOTE W-846 3 -1
a coating without additive and a commercial APE ASTM D2243: additive dosed at 3 lbs/100 gallons (active), all acrylic,
control (Table 2). 29.8% PVC, <50 g/L VOC

Table 2. High Temperature Stability: 120oF

KU Viscosity
Additive Change Syneresis Settling
After 2 Weeks
No Additive -9 Moderate Moderate
APE Control -6 Slight Slight
STEPCOTE W-846 -4 None Slight
ASTM D1849: additive dosed at 3 lbs/100 gallons (active), all acrylic, 29.8% PVC, <50 g/L VOC

For more information visit go.stepan.com/CASEAdditives or contact us.

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STEPCOTE™ is a trademark of Stepan Company.
The information contained herein is based on the manufacturer’s own study and the works of others and is subject to change without prior notice. The information is not intended to be all-inclusive, including
as to the manner and conditions of use, handling, storage or disposal or other factors that may involve additional legal, environmental, safety or performance considerations. Nothing contained herein grants or
extends a license, express or implied, in connection with any patents issued or pending of the manufacturer or others, or shall be construed as a recommendation to infringe any patents. STEPAN COMPANY
MAKES NO PRODUCT WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND NO OTHER WARRANTY OR GUARANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS
MADE, INCLUDING AS TO INFORMATION REGARDING PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, SUITABILITY, STABILITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR ADEQUACY. Stepan Company (and its employees, subsidiaries
and affiliates) shall not be liable (regardless of fault) to the vendee, its employees, or any other party for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the accuracy,
completeness, adequacy, furnishing, use, or reliance upon information provided herein. The vendee assumes and releases Stepan Company (and its employees, subsidiaries and affiliates) from all liability, whether
in tort, contract or otherwise to the fullest extent possible under the relevant law. July 2020