Key takeaways from this newsletter:

• Scuff resistance has become table stakes in the architectural coatings industry.
• There are various approaches to achieving scuff resistance in interior architectural coatings. 

Scuff resistance in wall paints is a crucial property for high-traffic areas, where walls can be damaged by black heel marks, for example. Paints with scuff resistance can withstand such damage and can be easily cleaned if it occurs. Originally, scuff resistance was only found in 2K (two-part) systems. However, the greater opportunity lies in 1K water-based architectural coatings, and many such offerings are available today.

So how is scuff resistance accomplished? There are many tools available to the formulator. Here are a few from the literature.

• Smooth Surface. One approach is to formulate a paint that dries to a very smooth surface, which resists grabbing particles from scuffing objects. Dulux Trade’s Scuffshield Matt uses this approach to achieve scuff resistance.(1) According to Behr, the use of low profile pigments can lead to a smooth surface that resists scuffing.(2)   

• Waxes for Surface Slip.  A U.S. Patent describes using a wax seeded latex in combination with a wax in the paint formulation.(3) The wax leads to “slippage” reducing the tendency to scuff.  Wax manufacturers tout their ability to impart scuff resistance, and there are numerous wax-based anti-scuff agents on the market.(4,5)

• Silicones for Surface Slip.  Silicones are a class of additives that can also impart scuff resistance by improving slip at the coating surface.  Evonik has demonstrated that their polyether-modified siloxanes can enhance the scuff resistance of architectural coatings.(6)  Momentive offers silicones for scuff resistance, such as their CoatOSil Clean, which achieves scuff resistance in paints by reducing surface friction.(7)

• Resin Choice.  As noted in the referenced U.S. Patent above, a wax seeded latex is part of a scuff resistant composition.   Another way to improve the scuff properties of architectural coatings is to use binders that incorporate ketone-containing monomers along with a polyhydrazide crosslinker as outlined in an international patent application.(8) In the examples of that patent diacetone acrylamide is used as the ketone functional monomer and adipic acid dihydrazide is employed as the crosslinker.  Vista Paint’s Scuff-Tec technology is “a combination of high-performance acrylic urethane cross-polymer technologies” with unique pigments.(9)  The acrylic urethane provides “excellent durability.”

These are just a few of the approaches used to achieve scuff resistance, and there are likely more.  Scuff resistance has become essential in the architectural coatings industry so if your interior offerings don’t have it, get in the lab and start formulating! 

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(1) Dulux Trade Scuffshield Paint Range | Dulux Decorator Centre, Dulux Decorator Centre website. (https://www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/scuffshield)

(2) Should You Specify a Scuff-Resistant Wall Paint? | JLC Online, “Should You Specify a Scuff-Resistant Wall Paint?”  (https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/interiors/should-you-specify-a-scuff-resistant-wall-paint)

(3) Jonathan Dugan et al., “Scuff Resistant and Chip Resistant Compositions.” U.S. Patent 11,230,645 B2, Jan. 25 2022.

(4) Micro Powders Inc. - Product Finder - Architectural Paints and Finishes, Micro Powders Website-Product Finder-Architectural Paints and Finishes. (https://www.micropowders.com/product-finder.html&application=paints-and-coatings&subapplication=architectural-paints-and-finishes)

(5) Paints and Coatings | Additives | Brochure Honeywell Paints and Additives Brochure.  (https://prod-edam.honeywell.com/content/dam/honeywell-edam/pmt/oneam/en-us/performance-additives/documents/pmt-am-paints-and-coatings-brochure.pdf)

(6) Siloxane-Surface_JanFeb-2024.pdf Ingrid K.Meier, Kersten M. Forsthoefel, and Tony Hazim, “Advantages of Siloxane in Low VOC Architectural,” Paint.org, January/February 2024.

(7) architectural-paints-brochuree137ff03fa4141fca7864e21fb913fdb.pdf Momentive Brochure, “Paints and Additives For Architectural Coatings.” (https://www.momentive.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/architectural-paints-brochuree137ff03fa4141fca7864e21fb913fdb.pdf)

(8) Kaliappa Ragunathan, “Mar and Scuff Resistant Architectural Coating,” International Publication Number WO 2024/064148 A1, March 28 2024.

(9) Scuff-Tec Line Vista Paint Website, Scuff-Tec line. (https://www.vistapaint.com/products/scufftec-line)

(photo credit: Photo generated by Microsoft Copilot)