Some of the ingredients that contribute to proper film formation are coalescing agents, plasticizers, wetting and leveling agents and antifoamers. Coalescing agents stay behind for a short time after the water has evaporated to soften and bring the polymer molecules together into a continuous and tough film. A precise amount of coalescing agent is needed for proper film formation. For this reason it is important for floor care professionals to minimize evaporation by keeping floor finish containers and mop buckets, covered or closed when not in use. Plasticizers Floor finish polymers would crack and break without plasticizers to make them flexible and impact resistant.
Chemists are careful to design floor finishes with accurate amounts of plasticizer.
The polymers in floor finishes are bulky and have high surface tension which prevent proper flowing and leveling of the finish. Leveling and wetting agents lower the surface tension of the finish allowing it to spread and flow over the floor surface uniformly and evenly. Tiny amounts of these surface active agents provide big benefits by preventing the finish from pulling apart and puddling during the drying process. Antifoaming Agents Water based floor finishes contain small amounts of surfactants and emulsifiers which can produce bubbles and foam in the dried film. These surface flaws, sometimes described as craters and fisheyes, destroy the smooth and reflective appearance of the dried film.