Munich, February 12, 2025 – Epoxy-polysiloxane topcoats produce glossy metal surfaces and provide lasting protection against weathering. However, it is essential that the formulations contain the right hardener. In SILRES® HP 2000 LV, WACKER will be unveiling an improved version of its success- ful hardener system for such coatings. The new product contains significantly less volatile compounds, as indicated by the suffix “LV” (for low volatiles). Consequently, it is now possible to formulate metal coatings that are safer to process and to apply. WACKER will be unveiling the product for the first time at this year’s European Coatings Show (ECS), which runs in Nuremberg, Germany, from March 25 to 27.

WACKER unveils improved silicone resin hardener for weathering-resistant epoxy-polysiloxane topcoats — Metal sheets after a conical bending test. Thanks to the flexibility of SILRES® HP 2000 LV, the pigmented epoxy-polysiloxane topcoat remains crack-free. WACKER will be premiering the hardener at ECS 2025. (Photo: WACKER).

SILRES^® HP 2000 LV possesses the same high-quality properties as its predecessor product and can therefore also be used in existing formulations. The silicone resin hardener enables the formulation of isocyanate-free metal coatings that retain their luster, even after years of exposure to sunlight and weathering. The coatings confer excellent corrosion protection, especially when combined with suitable primers, and are thus an ideal solution for protecting ships, bridges, and industrial plants. Topcoats containing SILRES^® HP 2000 LV also lend themselves to two-coat systems, resulting in cost savings over three-coat systems.

Aside from high efficiency, the new silicone resin hardener offers further advantages. Compared with its predecessor, it has a much lower content of volatile compounds. The content of cyclic methyl siloxanes and methoxymethyl silanes of less than 0.1 percent eliminates the labeling requirements which were effective for these hardeners up to now and restricted possible applications. The improved purity of the product also represents a gain for occupa¬tional health and safety, which in turn benefits paint producers and paint processors alike.

At the ECS, WACKER will be presenting several coating samples based on formulations containing SILRES^® HP 2000 LV and cycloaliphatic epoxy resins as combined binders.

For more information and product samples, visit WACKER at ECS 2025 in Nuremberg from March 25 to 27 in Hall 1, Booth 1-206.

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