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Brief introduction of Aluminum Silver Paste
Aluminum paste is a type of metallic pigment commonly used in coatings and inks, primarily composed of flake aluminum particles and petroleum solvent, presenting a paste-like consistency. Its characteristics include:
1. **Smooth Surface**: The surface of the aluminum flakes is very smooth, which aids in light reflection.
2. **Concentrated Particle Size Distribution**: The particles are relatively uniform in size, ensuring even coating.
3. **Regular Shape**: The regular shape enhances the reflective effect and aesthetic appeal.
4. **Excellent Light Reflectance**: It effectively reflects light, adding a metallic luster.
5. **Flop Effect**: When mixed with transparent colored pigments, the coating exhibits a noticeable “angle-dependent color shift,” making the decorative effect extremely gorgeous.
These properties make aluminum paste widely used in automotive coatings, furniture surfaces, and various decorative paints.
Correlation classification
Aluminum silver paste is mainly composed of aluminum powder, solvents, and additives.
Aluminum silver paste can be divided into two main categories: floating and non-floating types. Floating silver paste, due to its low surface tension, floats on the surface of the coating film, exhibiting extremely high reflectivity and a chrome-like effect.
However, the aluminum flakes can easily detach from the film surface, making re-coating difficult. It is commonly used in applications such as corrosion protection, roofing, and storage tanks. Non-floating silver paste can be completely wetted by the coating and evenly distributed throughout the film, with a tendency to sink, resulting in a solid and stable coating. It can also be recoated for gloss enhancement and is widely used in various applications, including vehicles, furniture, electronic products, and coil materials.
Aluminum silver paste can also be classified into imitation electroplated, flash silver, and fine white silver types. Fine white silver has the smallest average particle diameter and the lowest brightness; flash silver has the largest average particle diameter and the highest brightness; imitation electroplated silver has an average particle diameter between fine white silver and flash silver, with brightness also falling between the two.
Main Usage
Aluminum silver paste is widely used in automotive paints, motorcycle paints, bicycle paints, plastic paints, building coatings, inks, mobile phone cases and buttons, electromechanical housings, electrical housings, and metal paints, among many other fields.
Aluminum silver paste is classified into water-based and solvent-based types based on the solvent used. With the development of society, the demand for environmental protection is increasing, making water-based aluminum silver paste a trend in the industry.
Aluminum silver paste is mainly used in automotive coatings, low-voltage plastic coatings, metal industrial coatings, marine coatings, heat-resistant coatings, and roofing materials. In the past two to three years, aluminum silver paste products in China have started to develop using fine spherical aluminum powder as a raw material. We have achieved significant breakthroughs in technology, but the performance indicators and coating effects of our products still do not reach the level of similar products abroad.
Usage method
1) Add an appropriate amount of organic solvent to the silver paste and stir slowly; stirring too quickly may damage the surface coating of the silver paste.
2) After thorough soaking, dispersion, and opening, it should be used as soon as possible and sealed properly.
3) Aluminum silver paste should not be exposed to direct sunlight or rain, and it should be stored in a dry indoor environment (below 35 degrees Celsius). It should not be stored for too long; once opened, it should be used quickly. If it cannot be used all at once, it should be completely sealed immediately to prevent the evaporation of solvents and additives. If it has been stored for too long, please check it before use.
Common problem
a) The silver paste itself is a malleable, tough flake with an external coating. Excessively high acid values (ideally below 15) and prolonged continuous processing or high-speed stirring can damage the surface coating and the integrity of the paste, leading to issues such as blackening of the coating, reduced opacity, and rough grain appearance. If these phenomena occur, the process flow, processing time, and stirring speed should be adjusted.
b) Poor dispersion is mainly caused by improper use of solvents and resins. New resins or solvents can be appropriately blended, and if the product is too fine and difficult to disperse, the soaking time can be extended, with even stirring applied.
c) If the product appears black or yellow during use, it may be due to poor sealing causing oxidation, resulting in blackening. A new sample should be tested. Yellowing is primarily caused by excessive baking temperatures. It should be baked at appropriate temperatures (ideally not exceeding 500 degrees).
d) When using silver paste in construction materials, poor leveling may occur. If such adverse reactions arise, please re-adjust the solvent and fine-tune according to the resin’s properties, as this could be due to improper use of solvents or resins.
e) If particles appear on the surface of the sprayed object, it may be due to oxidation or poor dispersion, or impurities in the product. If it’s due to oxidation, a new sample should be tested. If the particles are caused by impurities, the product should be filtered through a filter cloth (325 mesh) before mixing.
f) The addition of silver paste in inks should depend on the customer, generally ranging from 6% to 10%.
g) Adding an appropriate amount of dispersant or other related additives to the silver paste can improve the dispersion, glossiness, and can be adjusted according to customer needs.
Storage instructions
- Store in a sealed container indoors, at a temperature of 15–40°C. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight, rain, or excessively high temperatures.
- Ensure the storage temperature does not drop below 15°C (be particularly cautious during winter or when the surrounding temperature is equal to or below 10°C).
- Excessive jolting and vibration during transportation, as well as storage under certain conditions, may lead to partial separation of the aluminum and solvent components. Therefore, uring use, avoid high-speed stirring to prevent damaging the shape of the aluminum flakes.
