Capstone™ Fluorosurfactants

Capstone™ is a line of fluorinated surfactants and repellents that provide exceptional wetting properties to a variety of industrial applications. Capstone™ fluorosurfactant molecules are based on short-chain chemistry, containing six or fewer carbons with fluorinated head groups, thus meeting the goals of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program. With their short-chain fluorinated carbon content, Capstone™ fluorosurfactants are an alternative to traditional polyfluoroalkyl substances that can break down into perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the environment. 

Capstone™ functions in water- and solvent-based formulations by substantially reducing surface tension, which improves properties such as wetting and leveling. Capstone™ fluorosurfactants offer unparalleled wetting capabilities, achieving surface tensions as low as 18 dynes/cm at extremely low concentrations. They can be used to replace other wetting agents to reduce a formulation's complexity and cost. For example, by replacing or blending traditional hydrocarbon surfactants with Capstone™, threefold to tenfold cost savings may be realized. 

Capstone™ provides significant benefits in latex paints, coatings, and water-based inks. In these applications, Capstone™ fluorinated surfactants can be added to both the grind and letdown phases to improve performance, simplify the formulation, and reduce cost. When added to the grind phase at 0.01%–0.05%, Capstone™ surfactants expedite the wetting of pigments and replace the need for all other pigment-wetting agents. When added to the letdown phase at 0.01%-0.05%, Capstone™ fluorinated surfactants eliminate the need for any additional substrate-wetting agents, film-leveling agents, and antiblocking additives. They also have a low foaming tendency in solutions and improve the resistance of the dried film to oily stains. 

In glass and hard surface cleaning applications, Capstone™ is used to reduce surface tension to improve the wetting of soils and contaminants trapped within surfaces for easier removal. The small amount of Capstone™ required for these applications, typically around 200 ppm, results in less residue upon evaporation and facilitates faster drying times with less haze and streaking. Certain grades of Capstone™ will also bind to surfaces to provide additional resistance to water and oily soils. In addition, the acid and alkali tolerance of Capstone™ means they can be added to virtually any formulation. 

When used in floor cleaners, polishes, and waxes, Capstone™ fluorinated surfactants increase the wetting power and improve the leveling of the formulation. This results in a more uniform and better-looking film on the surface. In addition, the use of Capstone™ in waxes and polishes enhances gloss and rewet characteristics, allowing for multicoat applications without haze. 
 

Capstone™ ST grades are better identified as fluoropolymers, which are used primarily as water and oil repellents for a variety of substrates. These fluoropolymers are designed to be used in penetrating, non-film-forming sealers for stone and tile to enhance resistance to water, acids, and soils. 
 

To learn more about a specific Capstone™ product, please select one of the grade pages listed below.