Choose scratch-resistant additives only after defining the damage. A sharp-object scratch, broad mar, repeated abrasion, scuff transfer, and high-friction blocking are different failure modes. CHLUMIFE® 3307X is a solvent/UV leveling and scratch route that prioritizes recoatability, CHLUMIFE® 3482/3482X is a water-only slip and wear route, and CHLUMIFE® 1206 is a solvent/UV lubrication and abrasion route.
First confirm full cure, film thickness, substrate, conditioning, contact material, load, speed, and observation time. An additive can reduce friction or improve surface appearance without increasing the bulk film’s resistance to gouging. Approval therefore requires a damage-specific method plus cure, adhesion, and appearance guardrails.
Scratch-resistance decision map
| System and primary failure | First route | Critical guardrail |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent/UV film needs leveling and scratch support while recoating matters | CHLUMIFE® 3307X | Follow dilution; verify adhesion, clarity, gloss, and repair window |
| Water-based film needs lower friction and wear support | CHLUMIFE® 3482/3482X | Water-only incorporation, pinholes, freeze protection, and no alcohol solvent |
| Solvent/UV film needs lubrication and abrasion support | CHLUMIFE® 1206 | Late addition, haze/clouding, recoatability, and blocking |
| Produit | Published composition and fit | Supplier starting guidance | Important boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHLUMIFE® 3307X | Polyether-modified polysiloxane; UV and solvent systems | Dilute to 12.5% as directed; 0.1–1% of total formulation | Not water-based; supplier prioritizes recoatability rather than maximum smoothness |
| CHLUMIFE® 3482/3482X | Ultra-high-molecular-weight polysiloxane pre-emulsion; water-based only | 0.05–1%; pre-dilute gradually with water | Protect from freezing; no alcohol solvents; pinhole risk |
| CHLUMIFE® 1206 | Long-chain alkyl-modified polydimethylsiloxane; UV and solvent systems | 0.1–1%; add near the end; may be diluted with alkanes/aromatics | Not water-based; can cloud with dimethyl silicone oil or at low temperature |
Separate scratch, mar, abrasion, and slip
Scratch usually means a narrow track created by a concentrated contact. Mar is a visible surface mark that may occur at lower damage severity. Abrasion is cumulative material or appearance loss under repeated rubbing. Slip (glissement) concerns friction. A low-friction surface may show less scuffing but still fail a sharp stylus or gouge test.
Write one primary failure statement before choosing an additive. Include the contact material, geometry, force, cycles or speed, conditioning, and whether the pass criterion is visual whitening, gloss loss, residual depth, mass loss, ink transfer, or coefficient of friction.
Use 3307X for solvent/UV work where recoating matters
3307X is a 100% active polyether-modified polysiloxane for solvent and UV systems. The supplier positions it as a leveling and scratch-resistant route that prioritizes recoatability. It must first be diluted to 12.5% with the specified xylene/ethylene glycol monophenyl ether blend at 7/2, then used at 0.1–1% of total formulation.
Confirm that the dilution solvent and procedure fit the site’s formulation, handling, and regulatory requirements. Compare scratch/mar performance with leveling, gloss, haze, adhesion, repair window, blocking, and cure. “Prioritizes recoatability” remains a test hypothesis, not a guarantee in every resin.
Use 3482/3482X only in water-based systems
3482/3482X is an 80% solids, nonionic, ultra-high-molecular-weight polysiloxane pre-emulsion limited to water-based systems. The supplier instructs gradual dilution with a small amount of water in multiple batches before incorporation. The diluted material should not be stored for extended periods.
Protect it from freezing and do not use alcohol solvents. Include pinholes, foam, clarity, gloss, adhesion, recoatability, block resistance, and storage stability in the first screen. This route is not interchangeable with 3307X or 1206 because their system boundaries are opposite.
Use 1206 for a solvent/UV lubrication route
1206 is a long-chain alkyl-modified polydimethylsiloxane for UV and solvent systems. It is added toward the end of the formulation and may be pre-diluted with alkanes or aromatics. The supplier lists a 0.1–1% starting range.
Inspect for haze or clouding, particularly at low temperature or in the presence of dimethyl silicone oil. Measure abrasion and friction alongside blocking, surface feel, gloss, intercoat adhesion, printing, gluing, and repair. A lubricated surface that cannot be coated or bonded later is not a pass when those steps are required.
Build a damage-specific test plan
- Prepare a fully cured control. Hold resin, substrate, film thickness, application, and conditioning constant.
- Choose one damage method. Define scratch, mar, abrasion, scuff, or friction as the primary response.
- Run one route at a time. Compare a blank with a compact dosage ladder inside current supplier guidance.
- Measure immediately and after recovery. Viscoelastic films may partially recover, so use fixed observation times.
- Repeat guardrails. Check gloss, haze, color, cure, adhesion, recoatability, blocking, chemical resistance, and downstream bonding.
Choose a relevant standard and report its limits
ASTM D7027 covers instrumented scratch testing of polymeric coatings and plastics, including residual damage after recovery. ASTM D5178 addresses force-to-mar on smooth, flat surfaces. ASTM D4060 covers Taber abrasion of organic coatings on plane rigid surfaces and notes that friction can affect comparisons.
No single method represents every customer contact. State substrate, dry-film thickness, cure age, temperature, humidity, stylus or wheel, load, cycles/speed, cleaning, and evaluation method. Use rankings inside the same controlled program where the standard cautions about reproducibility.
Common false approvals
The coefficient of friction falls, so the film is called scratch-resistant
Report the friction result as friction. Run the defined scratch or mar test separately and compare residual damage after the chosen recovery time.
A fresh panel passes but an aged panel fails
Repeat after full cure, warm storage, and the customer’s service conditioning. Migration, solvent/water loss, and crosslinking can change both surface friction and damage visibility.
Abrasion improves but recoating fails
Reduce the surface additive or choose a different route. Recoatability, printing, gluing, or lamination must remain explicit guardrails when the product will face those processes.
Related surface-additive guides
Use the slip additive guide when friction is the main requirement, the anti-blocking guide when stacked surfaces stick, or the soft-touch guide when tactile feel is the commercial target.
Request a scratch-resistant additive trial
Send the resin, water/solvent/UV system, substrate, application and cure, dry-film thickness, damage photos, contact material and load, current friction and durability data, downstream coating/bonding steps, and pass criteria. Ask Longchang Chemical to compare 3307X, 3482/3482X, or 1206.