Zeolite Dosage Instructions for Polyaspartic Systems

Introduction: Polyaspartic Formulas

Polyaspartic formulations are advanced fast-curing polymers, typically used for coating, adhesive, sealant, or flooring applications. They are based on polyaspartic esters that react with poly-isocyanates, to form polyurea linkages. These offer benefits like rapid curing, high durability, chemical resistance, and enhanced UV stability.

Moisture from the environment, the substrate, or from other raw materials within your formula, can react with the isocyanates, to form carbon dioxide bubbles; leading to defects like pinholes, cracking, reduced adhesion, and/or poor levelling.

Zeolite-based moisture scavengers (such as 3A SUPERSIV Powder) act as physical adsorbents that trap water molecules and prevent these issues.

Typically, they are added to the polyaspartic ester side (Part A), before mixing with the isocyanate (Part B). Unlike reactive scavengers (e.g. oxazolidine-based products, like Incozol 2), which chemically react with water, zeolites are inert and use electrostatic forces to absorb the water. Therefore, you don’t have to recalculate your entire formulation’s chemistry. This makes them easier to use.

Zeolite Dosage for Polyaspartic Formulas

The dose of zeolite to use in your polyaspartic formula is dependent on various factors, such as the initial moisture content of each of your formula’s components. Therefore, there is no exact level that we can recommend for all customers (because every customer will be beginning at a different start point). As a result of this, we can offer only you guideline dosages.

With that in mind, we suggest that you start by adding 2% (by weight) of 3A SUPERSIV Powder and then increase the dosage, in increments of 0.5%, until you have reached a level of performance that you yourself are happy with.

When testing the various addition rates, it’s important to do this in parallel, using the exact same master batch of formula, and to do all your test work at the same time.

This method removes any variability that one might experience from day-to-day changes of humidity in your laboratory, or the differing water contents associated with different batches of your product. If you do all of your dosage work at the same time, with many separate pots, then you will get a clear set of results, and you will be able to more easily determine which dosage is best for you, and your particular formulation.

Zeolite Dose in Polyaspartic Formulas: Fei Yang’s Recommendation

In recent test work, conducted with resin supplier Fei Yang Protech Ltd, it was found that a 3% loading of 3A SUPERSIV was sufficient to remove the necessary water and achieve a good surface finish. Please see their suggested Guide Formulation below