The effect of slip agents on the characteristics and properties of epoxy-phenolic can coatings

The migration issues associated with the transfer of chemicals from epoxy-based can coatings into foodstuffs have been studied in recent years. Slip agents are usually used in can coatings for ease of manufacture and to provide required physical resistance properties. Slip agents in epoxy-based can coatings are suspected of not only performing as lubricants but also having effects on the other properties of coatings, including their migration resistance. This article contains information relating to the evaluation of the influence of selected slip agents on the characteristics and properties of specific epoxy-phenolic can coatings. These characteristics and properties include those thermal properties of the coatings that relate to curing characteristics, the surface appearance of cured coating films, the wetting properties that may be associated with migration issues, and the abrasion properties of the cured epoxy-phenolic systems. It was found that three selected slip agents each affected the properties of the specific epoxy-phenolic can coating differently. One of three selected slip agents in particular reduced the interaction (“wettability”) of the specific coatings by test fluids and so may help to reduce chemical migration.