DISPERBYK® 160 is a high molecular weight block copolymer solution with pigment-affinic groups. It functions as both a dispersant and a wetting agent, providing excellent leveling, reducing viscosity, and enhancing gloss. This product offers high pigment loading and color strength, making it suitable for solventborne coatings and coil coatings. It is compatible with wood substrates and is commonly used in pigment concentrates. Available in pails and drums, DISPERBYK® 160 ensures high transparency and performance in industrial applications.

Chemical Family: Polyurethanes (PU)

Features: Good Leveling, High Color Strength, High Gloss, High Molecular Weight, High Pigment Loading, Reduces Viscosity, Transparency

Enhanced TDS

Identification & Functionality

Features & Benefits

CASE Ingredients Features
Key Features
  • DISPERBYK® 160 is the additive with the highest molecular weight in the group of polymeric wetting and dispersing additives for high quality solvent-borne coatings.
  • In new paint formulations the usage of DISPERBYK® 160 (which has similar performance but is easier to handle) is recommended instead.

Applications & Uses

Markets
Applications
Compatible Substrates & Surfaces
Coating End Applications
Industrial Additives End Use
Use Level
70 - 140% (Carbon Blacks)*, 30 - 90% (Organic Pigments)*, 5 - 6% (Titanium Dioxide)*, 10 - 15% (Inorganic Pigments)*
Processing Instructions
  • Wetting and dispersing additives should be added to the millbase. Only in this way can they achieve their full effectiveness.
  • The resin and solvents should be pre-mixed: then the additive added under agitation until uniformly dissolved.
  • The pigments should be added following appropriate incorporation of the additive.
  • To prevent the formation of seeds during incorporation, before adding DISPERBYK® 160 to the resin, this additive should be diluted to 15% solids by using appropriate solvent(s) from the formula.
  • BYK-331 (see data sheet S200) should additionally be used in baking systems to improve leveling and to prevent Bénard cells.
Product Function
  • This high molecular weight additive deflocculates pigments and provides steric stabilization.
  • It provides a uniform electrical charge to pigment surfaces thus avoiding possible co-flocculation of pigments that are not equally charged.
  • Due to the small particle sizes of the deflocculated pigments, higher gloss and color strength are achieved.
  • Additionally, transparency of transparent pigments and hiding power of opaque pigments are increased.
  • This product reduces viscosity, subsequently, leveling is improved and higher pigment loading is possible.

Properties

Appearance
Free flowing, white powder
Typical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
SolventsXylene/Butyl-acetate 6/11--
Flash Point77°F-
Non Volatile Matter29%-
Weight per Gallon (at 68°F)7.91lb/gal-
Amine Value12mg KOH/g-
SDS Physical and Chemical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Kinematic Viscosity (at 40°C)330mm²/s-
Ignition Temperaturemin. 392°FDIN 51794
Immiscible InWater--
Density (at 68°F)0.95g/cc4 (Oscillating U-tube, at 20°C)
Lower Explosion Limit1%V-
Flash Point77°F48 (Abel-Pensky)
Vapor Pressure (at 68°F)6hPaDerived
Initial Boiling Point255.2°FDerived
Melting Pointmin. 59°FDerived
pH Value (at 20°C, 1% Concentration)6-Universal pH Value Indicator
OdorAromatic--
AppearanceLight Brown--
Upper Explosion Limits7.6%V-
Note

*The above recommended use levels are strongly dependent on pigment particle size. Optimal levels may be determined with a ladder series in the laboratory.

Special Note
  • The treatment of some organic pigments can negatively influence the efficiency of this wetting and dispersing additive.
  • In such cases, tests with the untreated pigment of the same type may be successful.
  • When using these additives in coil coatings, possible interaction with the acid catalyst must be taken into consideration.
  • Amine-blocked acids are less suitable than free acids or epoxy-blocked acids.
  • These problems can be circumvented by using the DISPERBYK® 160 family (see Data Sheet W201) instead.

Packaging & Availability

Packaging Type
Packaging Information

Drums and pails
Containers not completely emptied must be closed immediately after use