VIRIDYN N-561-50: Reduce Surface Tension of Aqueous Formulations
The Challenge
A major specialty chemical manufacturer was seeking a replacement for the discontinued Chemours Capstone FS-50. Chemours Capstone FS-50 was an “amphoteric fluorosurfactant formulated to significantly reduce the surface tension of aqueous solutions. FS-50 enables the formation of a thin low surface tension aqueous film, which is useful for creating surface defect free films over low surface tension or contaminated substrates because of the improved wetting, spreading, and leveling properties.”
The customer was using Capstone FS-50 as a surface tension reducing agent for a formulation in active production.
The customer urgently needed to validate a replacement for Capstone FS-50 in order to make a timely materials transition so as not to disrupt production operations.
The Solution
The customer requested a sample of VIRIDYN N-561-50, a 27% active solids C6 fluorosurfactant solution in H2O and Ethanol. VIRIDYN N-561-50 is built on a sustainable C6 fluorochemistry that is PFOA and PFAS free. When used as an additive in aqueous formulations at loading levels of 0.01—0.1% by weight, VIRIDYN N-561-50 significantly reduces surface tension beyond levels achievable with conventional hydrocarbon or silicone surfactants.
ViriDyn supported the customer, supplying samples for evaluation within 5 days of the original enquiry. After extensive testing, the customer validated VIRIDYN N-561-50 as a performance-matching replacement for Chemours Capstone FS-50.