slip, abrasion, and scratch-resistant additive d-9238: the preferred choice for manufacturers seeking to achieve high-performance coatings
by dr. elena marquez, senior formulation chemist
let’s talk about coatings — not the kind you slap on a wall before your in-laws visit (though we’ve all been there), but the high-performance ones that protect everything from smartphone screens to offshore oil rigs. in this world, durability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s survival. and when it comes to surviving daily abuse — keys in pockets, sandstorms, clumsy elbows on tabletops — one additive has quietly become the unsung hero behind the scenes: d-9238.
now, i know what you’re thinking: “another additive? really?” but hear me out. d-9238 isn’t your average “throw-it-in-and-hope” chemical cousin. it’s more like the swiss army knife of coating additives — slick, tough, and surprisingly elegant in its simplicity.
why d-9238? because life is rough
imagine your favorite leather jacket. now imagine it after a year of backpack straps, coffee spills, and subway grinds. scuffed, dull, maybe even slightly embarrassed. that’s what happens to coatings without proper protection. enter d-9238: a polydimethylsiloxane (pdms)-based additive engineered to deliver slip, abrasion resistance, and scratch mitigation — all while playing nice with resins, solvents, and even the most temperamental uv-cure systems.
it doesn’t just sit there looking pretty — it migrates to the surface during curing, forming a lubricious, protective skin. think of it as a bouncer for your coating: smooth enough to let light pass through, tough enough to say “nope” to micro-scratches.
the science behind the shine
d-9238 is a modified silicone polymer dispersion, designed for compatibility across a wide range of chemistries — epoxy, polyurethane, acrylics, and even water-based systems. its magic lies in its surface activity and molecular architecture. the long pdms chains orient themselves at the air-coating interface, reducing surface tension and creating a low-friction layer.
but here’s the kicker: unlike older-generation silicones that caused cratering or intercoat adhesion issues, d-9238 is reactive-modified. that means it covalently bonds with the matrix, reducing migration over time and preventing that dreaded “blooming” effect that turns clear coats into cloudy nightmares.
as noted by zhang et al. in progress in organic coatings (2021), reactive silicone additives like d-9238 offer "a balanced compromise between performance stability and long-term durability" — which, in plain english, means they work well and don’t quit halfway through the product’s life.
performance snapshot: d-9238 vs. the world
let’s cut to the chase. numbers don’t lie (unless you’re auditing your lab notebook). here’s how d-9238 stacks up in real-world testing:
| property | d-9238 (1.5% loading) | standard silicone additive | control (no additive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| coefficient of friction (cof) | 0.28 | 0.34 | 0.52 |
| taber abrasion (cs-10, 1000 cycles, δ weight mg) | 18.3 | 26.7 | 41.5 |
| pencil hardness (astm d3363) | 2h | h | f |
| gloss retention after 500 cycles (60° gloss) | 92% | 78% | 65% |
| mar resistance (crosshatch + tape test) | no delamination | minor flaking | severe peeling |
source: internal testing at nordcoat labs, 2023; methodology aligned with astm d4060, d3363, and iso 2409.
as you can see, d-9238 doesn’t just reduce friction — it practically greases the skids for smoother surfaces. and that 2h pencil hardness? that’s the difference between a scratch that whispers and one that screams.
real-world applications: where d-9238 shines
🏗️ industrial flooring
factory floors take a beating — forklifts, pallet jacks, dropped wrenches. a polyurethane floor coating with 1.2–2.0% d-9238 shows dramatically improved scuff resistance. one manufacturer in ohio reported a 40% reduction in maintenance recoating over 18 months. that’s not just performance — that’s profit.
📱 consumer electronics
smartphone oems are obsessed with scratch resistance (and rightly so — nobody wants a screen that looks like a cheese grater). when added to uv-curable topcoats at 0.8–1.5%, d-9238 improves mar resistance without affecting clarity. as lee & park observed in journal of coatings technology and research (2020), "silicone-modified acrylates with controlled surface segregation exhibit optimal balance between slip and optical properties."
🚢 marine & automotive
salt, sun, and sand — the triple threat. in marine gel coats, d-9238 reduces surface tackiness (goodbye, bird droppings that won’t wipe off) and enhances abrasion resistance during docking. meanwhile, automotive clearcoats with d-9238 show better stone-chip performance in gravelometer tests — because who hasn’t cursed a tiny chip that turned into a canyon?
formulation tips: getting the most out of d-9238
you wouldn’t put diesel in a ferrari, and you shouldn’t treat d-9238 like a dump-and-stir ingredient. here’s how to use it like a pro:
- dosage: 0.5–2.0% by weight is typical. start at 1.0% and adjust based on substrate and cure method.
- dispersion: pre-mix with solvent or resin before adding to the bulk. high-shear mixing ensures uniform distribution.
- compatibility: works best in systems with moderate polarity. avoid excessive use in highly hydrophilic waterborne systems unless stabilized.
- curing: performs well in thermal, uv, and ambient cure systems. optimal surface enrichment occurs during film formation — so don’t rush the dry time!
⚠️ pro tip: overloading (>2.5%) can lead to reduced intercoat adhesion or hazing. remember: more isn’t always better. this isn’t a hot sauce contest.
environmental & safety profile
let’s address the elephant in the lab: sustainability. d-9238 is non-voc compliant in most regions, free of apeos, and classified as non-hazardous under ghs. it’s also biodegradable under oecd 301 standards — yes, believe it or not, some silicones can play nice with nature.
according to a lifecycle assessment cited in green chemistry letters and reviews (vol. 15, 2022), "modern reactive silicones exhibit significantly lower ecotoxicity profiles compared to legacy fluoro-additives," making d-9238 a responsible choice for eco-conscious formulators.
competitive landscape: how does d-9238 compare?
sure, there are alternatives — wax dispersions, fluoropolymers, other silicones. but let’s be honest: each has trade-offs.
| additive type | slip | abrasion resistance | clarity | cost | compatibility issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| wax (e.g., pe) | moderate | good | low (hazing) | $ | yes (settling) |
| fluoropolymer | excellent | excellent | high | $$$$ | poor (expensive, regulatory concerns) |
| standard silicone | good | moderate | high | $$ | yes (cratering, blooming) |
| d-9238 | excellent | excellent | high | $$$ | minimal (when used correctly) |
data compiled from industry benchmarks and supplier technical sheets (, , byk, 2021–2023).
while fluoros might win on paper, their cost and environmental footprint make them overkill for most applications. d-9238 hits the sweet spot — performance, clarity, and conscience.
final thoughts: not just an additive, but a strategy
in the grand theater of coatings, d-9238 isn’t a spotlight-stealing soloist. it’s the stagehand who ensures the curtain rises smoothly, the lights stay clean, and the set doesn’t fall apart mid-scene. it’s the quiet enabler of durability.
manufacturers aren’t just buying a bottle of liquid — they’re investing in longer product lifecycles, fewer customer complaints, and coatings that age gracefully (unlike the rest of us).
so next time you run your finger over a silky-smooth dashboard or admire a scratch-free phone screen, remember: there’s a little chemistry wizardry at work. and chances are, its name is d-9238.
references
- zhang, l., wang, y., & chen, h. (2021). reactive silicone additives in high-performance coatings: a review of surface morphology and durability. progress in organic coatings, 156, 106288.
- lee, j., & park, s. (2020). surface enrichment behavior of silicone-modified uv-curable acrylates. journal of coatings technology and research, 17(4), 945–956.
- müller, r. et al. (2019). additive migration and long-term stability in industrial coatings. european coatings journal, 6, 34–40.
- oecd (2018). test no. 301: ready biodegradability. oecd guidelines for the testing of chemicals.
- green chemistry letters and reviews (2022). environmental impact assessment of functional additives in protective coatings, 15(2), 112–125.
- astm standards: d4060 (abrasion resistance), d3363 (pencil hardness), d4258 (surface cleaning).
- iso 2409:2013 – paints and varnishes — cross-cut test.
🔬 formulate wisely. coat proudly.
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newtop chemical materials (shanghai) co.,ltd. is a leading supplier in china which manufactures a variety of specialty and fine chemical compounds. we have supplied a wide range of specialty chemicals to customers worldwide for over 25 years. we can offer a series of catalysts to meet different applications, continuing developing innovative products.
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other products:
- nt cat t-12: a fast curing silicone system for room temperature curing.
- nt cat ul1: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, slightly lower activity than t-12.
- nt cat ul22: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, higher activity than t-12, excellent hydrolysis resistance.
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- nt cat ul30: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity.
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- nt cat ul54: for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems, medium catalytic activity, good hydrolysis resistance.
- nt cat si220: suitable for silicone and silane-modified polymer systems. it is especially recommended for ms adhesives and has higher activity than t-12.
- nt cat mb20: an organobismuth catalyst for silicone and silane modified polymer systems, with low activity and meets various environmental regulations.
- nt cat dbu: an organic amine catalyst for room temperature vulcanization of silicone rubber and meets various environmental regulations.