"Speed is king in coating drying, just like in martial arts!"

Hey Brother Chao, a fan asked:

"The coating we’re using dries too slowly. Any solutions to speed up drying?"

coating drying efficiency is critical! For production teams, faster curing means higher productivity. Here are 6 proven methods to accelerate coating drying:

1. Increase Ambient Temperature

Coating curing speed depends heavily on temperature. Generally, every 10°C increase doubles the reaction rate.

⚠️ Note: Avoid exceeding 60°C to prevent film defects like bubbles or cracks.

2. Add Catalysts/Hardeners

Introduce controlled amounts of catalysts or hardeners (e.g., amine-based additives) to trigger faster crosslinking.

🚫 Warning: Overuse may cause brittleness or cracking.

3. Optimize Coating Formula

- Adjust resin-to-solvent ratios

- Use fast-evaporating thinners (e.g., acetone or ethyl acetate)

- Incorporate reactive diluents for rapid polymerization

4. Enhance Ventilation

Boost airflow to expel solvents quickly and reduce humidity.

❗ Caution: Prevent airborne dust contamination during ventilation.

5. Thin Layered Application

Apply multiple thin coats(e.g., 50-80μm per layer) instead of thick single layers. Allow each coat to dry before recoating.

6. Thermal Curing Methods

For heat-resistant coatings, use:

- Hot air circulation (40-80°C)

- Infrared heating (targeted energy transfer)

- Heat guns (localized drying)