Merck KGaA has launched the Tivida brand, a new product group of additives developed for application in various coating systems that significantly increases the scratch resistance of automotive coatings. Small, everyday scratches from wiping over the surface, for example, can be avoided or reduced by the addition of Tivida, according to the company. The first product in the brand family, Tivida AS 1010, was developed specifically for high-gloss, solvent-based two-component PUR coating systems. The additive can be optimally incorporated into the composition of the binding agent, thus changing its structure. The nanoparticles make the solvent-based coating system harder and, at the same time, more elastic due to the cross-linking of the polymer shell with the binding agent. The cross-linkage of the additive with the binding agent occurs throughout the whole product. Thus, the desired protection against scratches is achieved not only in new coating layers, but also after weathering. Additional products in the Tivida product line will be launched over the course of the year, including additives for UV-curing and water-based coating systems.
