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QK706E Wetting and Defoaming Agent
Gemini non-ionic surfactant that cuts dynamic surface tension and suppresses foam in waterborne coatings, inks and adhesives.
Positioned against SURFYNOL 104E
Product Overview
QK706E is a Gemini non-ionic surfactant supplied at 50% active in ethylene glycol. It combines water dispersion, wetting, levelling and foam suppression in one additive, and it is particularly effective at lowering dynamic surface tension, which is what governs defects on a fast-moving wet film. On demanding finishes it prevents cratering, pinholing and fisheyes.
Key Benefits
- Lowers both static and dynamic surface tension of waterborne systems
- Prevents craters, pinholes and fisheyes where surface defect tolerance is tight
- Suppresses foam during mixing rather than only knocking it down afterwards
- Helps grind resin-free pigment concentrates by improving wetting and cutting viscosity
- One additive covering wetting, levelling and defoaming
At A Glance
- Chemistry
- Gemini non-ionic surfactant
- Family
- Wetting and Defoaming
- Category
- Coating Additives
- Positioned against
- SURFYNOL 104E
- Appearance reference
- Yellow transparent liquid
Who It Is For
- Waterborne coating and ink formulators chasing surface defects
- Pigment concentrate producers who need lower grind viscosity
- Adhesive formulators with foam problems on a filling line
Problems It Solves
- Craters, pinholes and fisheyes on films with strict appearance requirements
- Foam generated during high-speed mixing that slows down filling
- Poor substrate wetting on low-energy surfaces
Application Scenarios
- Waterborne coatings applied at high line speed where dynamic surface tension dominates
- Waterborne inks and overprint varnish
- Adhesives and waterborne oil systems
- Resin-free pigment concentrate grinding
Technical Features
- Gemini surfactant structure, which is what gives the dynamic surface tension performance
- Dynamic surface tension 38.5 mN/m and static 37.7 mN/m at 0.1% in water, 25C
- 50% active component in ethylene glycol
- Two-year shelf life when kept cool and dry
Typical Data And Dosage
Typical values are indicative of the product and are not release specifications. Figures are reproduced from the manufacturer data sheet.
| Appearance | Yellow transparent liquid |
| Active component | 50% |
| Foam behaviour | Defoaming |
| Density (25C) | 0.9-1.0 g/cm3 |
| Colour number | 300 |
| Solvent | Ethylene glycol |
| Dynamic surface tension (0.1% in water, 25C) | 38.5 mN/m |
| Static surface tension (0.1% in water, 25C) | 37.7 mN/m |
| Storage | 5-35C, cool and dry |
| Shelf life | 2 years |
Recommended Dosage
All dispersant and additive dosage figures below are quoted exactly as the source data sheet quotes them. Dispersant figures are percentages on pigment weight, not on the total batch. The published values are empirical, so confirm the optimum with a dosage ladder in your own system.
| Recommended addition | 0.1-1% |
Use Guide
- Add 0.1-1% and stir for 15 to 30 minutes to make sure it is evenly mixed.
- If viscosity rises during addition, warm the batch slightly.
- Add it together with other surfactants and polymers so everything dissolves or disperses properly.
- Best added before pigment and filler, so it wets the solids and holds down foam generated during mixing.
Quality Control On Your Side
- Check foam behaviour on the actual mixing equipment, not in a lab beaker
- Confirm surface tension in the finished let-down, not only in water
- Watch water sensitivity on thin films at the top of the dosage range
How It Compares With The Alternatives
Technical comparison against other ways of solving the same problem. Nothing here is a performance claim against a named commercial product.
| Silicone defoamer | Reduces surface tension and wets at the same time, so it does not create the recoat and intercoat adhesion risk silicones can bring. |
| Mineral oil defoamer | Stays clear in the film rather than risking haze in gloss finishes. |
| QK702 | QK706E is a wetting and defoaming surfactant; QK702 is a levelling agent for flow and gloss. |
Customisation And Supply
- Packing as published on this page; other pack sizes are confirmed per order
- Technical data sheet and, where available, safety data sheet supplied by email on request
- Tailor-made products can be discussed; send the property you need and the system it goes into
- Shipped from Tianjin, China by sea or air
QK706E Wetting and Defoaming Agent Questions
What makes dynamic surface tension the important number?
Where in the process should it be added?
How long does it keep?
Can it be used in inks?
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