320–360 g/100g Oil Absorption: The High-Efficiency Advantage
GMATT 600 is a precipitated silica matting agent with oil absorption of 320–360 g/100g — significantly higher than conventional gel silica grades. This high pore volume creates an exceptionally large internal surface area per gram of silica, making GMATT 600 approximately 2–3× more efficient per unit weight at disrupting the coating film surface than standard precipitated grades. In waterborne architectural and industrial coatings, 2–4 wt% GMATT 600 delivers the same gloss reduction that requires 5–8 wt% of a standard grade, reducing the total silica loading needed and minimising impact on coating viscosity, film mechanical properties, and dry opacity.
Seeding-Free Performance in Water-Diluted Systems
Seeding — visible particle agglomerates in a finished coating — is a common defect when silica grades designed for solventborne systems are used in waterborne formulations. GMATT 600 is manufactured with a controlled particle size distribution (d90 < 20 µm) and a surface treatment compatible with waterborne binders. In aqueous media, GMATT 600 particles maintain individual dispersion through the full pot life of the coating and through the dilution range used in architectural tinting systems, eliminating the seeding defect that would otherwise cause rejection of tinted gallons on the production line.
Efficient Gloss Control in Architectural and Industrial Waterborne Systems
GMATT 600 is effective across the full spectrum of waterborne coating chemistries:
- Architectural emulsions: acrylic, vinyl-acrylic, styrene-acrylic — flat to satin (60° gloss 2–30 GU) at 1.5–3.5 wt%
- Industrial waterborne: 2K waterborne PU, waterborne epoxy — semi-gloss to matte at 2.0–4.0 wt%
- Waterborne alkyd: reformulated alkyd emulsions, medium to heavy build — 2.5–4.5 wt%
In all systems, GMATT 600's efficiency means lower total solids from the matting agent, preserving the binder-to-pigment ratio and minimising the white-shading effect that over-loading silica can cause in tinted formulations.
Reduced Formulation Cost Through Efficiency
Higher matting efficiency directly translates to lower silica cost per litre of finished coating. At 2.5 wt% GMATT 600 versus 6.0 wt% of a standard grade to achieve equivalent 60° gloss of 20 GU in waterborne interior wall paint, the formulation saves approximately 3.5 parts by weight of silica per 100 parts coating — a meaningful cost reduction at production scale. SEMITECH supplies GMATT 600 in FCL quantities with consistent BET and oil absorption specifications, enabling formulators to lock the efficiency window and minimise batch-to-batch gloss variation.
When to Use GMATT 600 for Waterborne Coatings
GMATT 600's high-efficiency profile makes it the primary choice when total silica loading must be minimised — whether to control viscosity, preserve tinting base clarity, reduce formulation cost, or maintain film flexibility.
| Scenario | Recommended Grade | Target DFT | Loading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat architectural wall paint | GMATT 600 | 20–35 µm | 1.5–3.0 wt% |
| Satin / eggshell architectural emulsion | GMATT 600 | 25–40 µm | 2.0–3.5 wt% |
| Industrial waterborne 2K PU topcoat | GMATT 600 | 25–40 µm | 2.0–4.0 wt% |
| Waterborne epoxy industrial | GMATT 600 | 30–60 µm | 2.5–4.5 wt% |
| Waterborne wood / furniture | GMATT WB | 15–30 µm | 2.5–4.5 wt% |
Technical FAQ
GMATT 600 formulation specifics for architectural and industrial waterborne coating applications.
+Why does GMATT 600 achieve higher gloss reduction per percent loading than standard silica?
GMATT 600 is a high-efficiency precipitated silica with oil absorption of 320–360 g/100g — approximately 2–3× higher than standard gel silica grades. This high pore volume creates a large internal surface area that disrupts the coating film surface at low particle concentrations, generating efficient light scattering without requiring the high loadings (5–8 wt%) of conventional matting agents. At 2–4 wt% in waterborne architectural emulsion, GMATT 600 achieves 60° gloss of 10–30 GU.
+How does GMATT 600 avoid seeding defects in water-diluted coating systems?
Seeding in waterborne coatings is caused by silica particle agglomeration in the aqueous phase, driven by the hydrophilic surface attracting water shells that then link particles. GMATT 600's manufacturing process produces a controlled particle size distribution with d90 below 20 µm and minimal fines that would agglomerate in the water medium. Combined with a surface treatment compatible with waterborne binders, GMATT 600 disperses as individual particles and maintains dispersion stability through dilution and through the pot life of the coating.
+What is the recommended loading for GMATT 600 in industrial waterborne coatings at 25–40 µm DFT?
In industrial waterborne coatings (2K waterborne PU, waterborne epoxy, waterborne alkyd) at 25–40 µm DFT, GMATT 600 at 2.0–4.0 wt% achieves 60° gloss targets of 10–30 GU. The high efficiency of GMATT 600 means that exceeding 4.5 wt% risks over-matting and potential whitening, particularly in dark-tinted formulations. Start at 2.5 wt% and adjust in 0.5 wt% increments to reach the target gloss.
+Can GMATT 600 be used in architectural wall paint formulations with high water dilution?
Yes. GMATT 600 is suitable for architectural emulsion paints (acrylic, vinyl-acrylic, styrene-acrylic) including formulations with up to 30% water dilution at point of use. The controlled particle size and waterborne-compatible surface treatment maintain stable dispersion through the dilution range. In flat and matte wall paint (60° gloss target 2–10 GU), GMATT 600 at 1.5–3.0 wt% in the full-concentrate formula delivers the desired finish without raising viscosity above application limits.
+Does GMATT 600 cause viscosity increase in waterborne formulations?
At the recommended loading of 2.0–4.0 wt%, GMATT 600 causes a moderate viscosity increase of 5–15 KU (Stormer) compared to the base formulation without matting agent. This is lower than equivalent-loading wax-treated gel silica because GMATT 600's high oil absorption pore structure adsorbs binder components, reducing the free polymer concentration in the water phase that would otherwise increase viscosity. If viscosity is critical, add GMATT 600 as a slurry (pre-dispersed in water) rather than as dry powder.
Recommended Solution
For architectural emulsion and industrial waterborne coatings where loading efficiency and seeding resistance are the priority, specify GMATT 600 Series — high-efficiency precipitated silica delivering deep gloss reduction at 2–4 wt% without seeding in aqueous systems.
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