The job of a universal colorant for architectural paints is to make the tinting process easier by being compatible with both water-based (latex) and solvent-based (alkyd, oil) paint systems. If a consumer walks into a hardware store to buy paint, the store only has to stock a single set of colorants that are compatible with a variety of paint chemistries.

With a water-based universal colorant, the hardware store or other retailer can stock fewer colorants, which reduces inventory, saves space and simplifies operations. In traditional systems, there would be a water-based colorant for each color and there might need to be a range of different solvent-based colorants to tint multiple types of paint bases.

Broad Compatibility

There are multiple challenges that come with creating a universal colorant that has broad compatibility with both water-based and solvent-based paint systems. Most traditional water-based colorants will have poor compatibility into a solvent-based paint and vice versa for traditional solvent-based colorants into water-based paints. The results of mixing these incompatible components would be poor separation of color with weak color strength, as well as creating a streaky mess and possible clumping (flocculation).

Other factors to consider include different grades of color and different sheens, from flat to gloss finishes. There are a fairly broad range of base paints where compatibility is needed. On top of that, most formulations have an organic or inorganic pigment and some kind of filler. The challenge is that every particle in the system needs to be properly dispersed. The colorant also can’t adversely affect desired properties in the base paint when it’s added—properties like viscosity. The final paint product must be easy to apply by brush or roller.

Dispersants are Key

Wherever pigment is found, dispersants can be found. Dispersants are needed to wet, disperse and stabilize dry pigment powders in a variety of liquid formulations. Just as universal colorants must be compatible with both water-based and solvent-based paint systems, the dispersants used in universal colorants must be universal themselves. They must have really broad compatibility over a wide range of polarities to stabilize the pigment dispersion across multiple systems, whether aqueous or non-aqueous. Universal dispersants also have to be effective on all of the particles in the system, both pigments and fillers. The goal is to balance broad compatibility with effectiveness to enable universal colorants to maintain high performance across different formulations.

Solsperse™ W60: A Universal Dispersing Agent

Lubrizol offers an extensive portfolio of high performing dispersant technology, including one of the newest dispersant chemistries on the market with Solsperse™ W60. It enables universal colorants that can be used for both water and solvent-containing architectural base paints. It is a 90% active APE-free polymeric dispersant in water that improves pigment dispersion and stability in aqueous-based coatings, while also offering excellent compatibility in oil-based alkyd paints. Solsperse™ W60 is effective at dispersing both organic and inorganic materials, making it ideal for paint systems that contain high levels of fillers along with the pigment. It also has excellent storage stability with organic and inorganic pigments.

In testing, Solsperse™ W60 has proven effective for high pigment loading and high color strength, as well as delivering low viscosity so colorants are stable and easier to handle and stir in with limited mixing.

Testing has demonstrated excellent compatibility and that Solsperse™ W60 is a dispersant that works across the board for universal colorants.

Dispersions of Pigment Red 122

In this test, the market standard control is a competitive universal color dispersant. WB1 and WB2 are traditional water-based dispersants. All four dispersants exhibit high color strength when added to a water-based latex paint. When added to an oil-based enamel paint, Solsperse™ W60 outperforms the control dispersant and greatly outperforms the water-based dispersants.

1:30 Colorant in Waterbased Latex Paint

Dispersant	% Color Strength
Market Standard	100 (Ctrl)
Solsperse W60	97.5%
WB Dispersant 1	101.5%
WB Dispersant 2	97%

1:30 Colorant in Oil Based Enamel Paint

Dispersant	% Color Strength
Market Standard	100 (Ctrl)
Solsperse W60	103.6%
WB Dispersant 1	15.1%
WB Dispersant 2	12.2%

Solsperse™ W60 as a Compatibilizer

Beyond its use as a dispersant, Solsperse™ W60 also demonstrated excellent results when tested as a post additive/compatibilizer to improve the color strength of water-based colorants into both water and solvent-based paints. The results demonstrate Solsperse™ W60 is a good option for anyone who either doesn’t make their own colorants or their own bases.

The test results are based on mixing a colorant not using Solsperse™ W60 and a base paint. The results show poor compatibility. Then, 1% Solsperse™ W60 was post-added to the same mixture as a compatibility additive, demonstrating greatly improved compatibility.

PB 15:1 into Oil Based Enamel Paint 1

Dispersant	% Color Strength
Market Standard	100 (Ctrl)
WB Dispersant 1	28.8%
WB Dispersant 2	100.7%

PB 15:1 into Oil Based Enamel Paint 2

Dispersant	% Color Strength
Market Standard	100 (Ctrl)
WB Dispersant 1	38.5%
WB Dispersant 2	85.7%

PB 15:1 into Oil Based Enamel Paint 1

Dispersant	% Color Strength
Market Standard	100 (Ctrl)
WB Dispersant 1	25.2%
WB Dispersant 2	93.2%

PB 15:2 into Oil Based Enamel Paint 1

Dispersant	% Color Strength
Market Standard	100 (Ctrl)
WB Dispersant 1	43.4%
WB Dispersant 2	72.0%

When compatibility is a key property, Solsperse™ W60 has proven to be extremely effective. Lubrizol continues to develop new dispersing and stabilizing technologies. Solsperse™ W60 is the first in a line of next-generation chemistries for universal colorants to help make them more effective and versatile across a variety of water-based and solvent-based paint systems.

Contact us to learn more about our dispersants for universal and water-based colorants.

Universal Colorants: High-Performing Dispersant Enables Broad Compatibility with Water-Based and Solvent-Based Paint Systems