What Does
Emulsifying Agent Mean?
An emulsifying agent is a chemical compound that permits the mixing of two or more immiscible liquids. In addition to promoting the blending of dissimilar compounds, emulsifying agents are also responsible for keeping the mixture stable, i.e., preventing the individual elements from separating. For example, while oil and water typically do not mix, they can be combined into a homogeneous mixture by utilizing an emulsifying agent.
An emulsifying agent is also known as an emulsifier.
Corrosionpedia Explains Emulsifying Agent
Paints and coatings are comprised of various components, including pigments, binders, solvents and additives. In some cases, these separate compounds may not readily mix together. In this case, emulsifying agents help promote the combining of these components. Emulsifiers allow for the creation of specialized paint and coating formulations with unique properties, such as low-VOC content, increased hardness, gloss retention, etc.
Various emulsifying agents work in different ways. One class of emulsifiers, called surfactants, work by lowering the surface tension of different liquids, allowing them to combine into a uniform mixture.