Application practice of compound enhancement and performance improvement of nanocellulose in high-end wood coatings

1. Case background and industry technical challenges

High-end wood coatings are widely used in high-end furniture, solid wood customization, wooden floors and decorative components. Its requirements for coating performance are much higher than those of ordinary industrial coatings. The core concerns include:

The coating film has a delicate appearance and a high-grade feel

High scratch and abrasion resistance

Excellent sag resistance and construction stability

Good durability and dimensional stability

In water-based, low the context of VOC and high environmental protection requirements, traditional wood coating systems generally face the following technical difficulties:

The mechanical strength of the coating film under the water-based system is insufficient and it is easy to scratch.

Thickeners and functional additives have poor synergy and narrow construction window

System stability decreases after adding high fillers or functional components

Coatings are prone to performance fluctuations in environments with changing temperatures and humidity.

The customer hopes by introducing a to comprehensively improve the comprehensive performance of wood coatings without sacrificing appearance and workability high-end functional material with both structural enhancement and rheology control capabilities .

As a high-performance material with natural origin and designable structure, nanocellulose can show significant advantages in compound systems in high- end wood coatings due to its unique three-dimensional network structure, high surface area, good hydrophilic dispersion, high transparency, stable chemical properties, and rich hydroxyl groups on the surface that can be modified.

What is nanocellulose？

Cellulose nanofibers ( CNF) are ultrafine cellulose fibers made from wood. Wood pulp (papermaking raw material) produced through traditional papermaking technology is relaxed to the nanometer level. This is a new material derived from biomass, also known as nanocellulose.

CNF is as thin as a few nanometers, is considered transparent, has unique viscous properties, is light and strong, and has less deformation due to temperature changes, and is used in many fields.

● Nano = one millionth of the length of 1 millimeter

Process of producing nanocellulose CNF from wood pulp

1. The wood is crushed into small pieces and processed into wood chips (about 5cm wide and about 1cm thick)

2. Extract fiber from wood chips and make pulp in paper mill

3. The pulp is chemically treated to make it thinner and easier to loosen (chemical modification).

4. Apply high pressure to loosen wood fibers (pulp)

We chemically treat the pulp produced in the mill and introduce ionic functional groups into the cellulose, which forms wood fibers. The electrostatic repulsion of this functional group promotes nanoscale defibrillation of fibers while ensuring stable diffusion of elongated fibers in the range of a few nanometers (a few nanometers).

Fibers that are as thin as a few nanometers are thinner than the wavelength of visible light (400 nanometers to 700 nanometers), so they pass the light and become transparent.

2. Scientific principles for the introduction of nanocellulose

Nanocellulose is a natural polymer material with nanoscale size, high aspect ratio and high specific surface area . Its role in the coating system is not a ' filler ' or ' single thickener ' in the traditional sense , but a synergistic improvement in performance through multi-scale structure construction .

1. Nanoscale enhanced network construction

Nanocellulose can form a continuous three-dimensional fiber network in water-based coatings

During the film formation process, the microstructure of the coating is embedded to act as an ' invisible skeleton '

Significantly improve the tensile, scratch resistance and wear resistance of the coating film

2. Rheology control and construction performance optimization

Nanocellulose gives the system obvious pseudoplastic (shear thinning) behavior

The structure is stable in the static state and effectively prevents sagging.

It flows smoothly when sprayed, brushed or rolled, and the application feels even and delicate.

3. Interface synergy and stabilization

The hydroxyl groups on the surface of nanocellulose can form hydrogen bonds or physical entanglements with resin emulsions and functional additives.

Improve the dispersion stability of compound systems

Reduce the risk of additive migration and coating film defects

3. Customer core needs

Improve the scratch and wear resistance of high-end wood coatings

Improve sag resistance and construction stability under water-based systems

Maintain or even improve the appearance and tactile quality of coatings

Comply with environmental regulations and high-end product positioning

4. Application plan and compound implementation

1. Compound system design

Introducing low-added nanocellulose into water-based wood coating systems

For use with water-based acrylic, polyurethane or modified resin systems

2. Dispersion and process adaptation

Ensure uniform distribution of nanocellulose through pre-dispersion or online shearing process

Compatible with existing production equipment without adding complicated processes

3. Film formation and performance verification

Conduct wear resistance, scratch resistance, sagging resistance and construction performance tests on the coating film

Verify long-term storage stability and environmental adaptability

5. Practical application effects

High-end wood coatings incorporating nanocellulose have outstanding performance in a number of key properties:

1. The mechanical properties of the coating film are significantly improved

The scratch resistance is significantly enhanced, and the surface is not prone to fine scratches

The overall coating film is stronger and has improved impact resistance.

2. Comprehensive optimization of construction performance

Excellent sagging resistance and more stable facade construction

Spraying feels smooth and the paint film spreads evenly

3. Improved appearance and touch quality

The coating is dense and delicate, with a soft and high-quality touch.

Does not affect transparency and color performance

4. Enhanced system stability and durability

Improved coating storage stability

The performance of the coating film remains stable in environments with changing temperatures and humidity.

6. Performance comparison analysis

Performance metrics	traditional wood coatings	Nanocellulose compound wood coating
scratch resistance	generally	Significantly improved
Wear resistance	ordinary	Significantly enhanced
Anti-sag	Easy to sag	Highly stable
Construction feel	generally	Delicate and smooth
Coating film strength and toughness	medium	Strong and durable
Environmental attributes	Compliance	High-end environmental protection upgrade

Real photos of the application of nanocellulose in high-end wood coatings

7. Case summary

This case fully demonstrates in high-end wood coatings the advantages of nanocellulose compounding enhancement and structural control . Through its nanoscale enhanced network and rheological control capabilities, it has successfully upgraded the coating from ' appearance first ' to ' both appearance + performance ' .

This application solution provides a mature technical path for high-end wood coatings in the fields of furniture, customized home furnishings and high-quality decoration that takes into account performance, construction and environmental protection, and has good engineering feasibility and market promotion value.

( Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional network structure of nanocellulose )

Inquiry about nanocellulose

Nanjing Tianlu Nanotechnology Co., Ltd. ，Marketing Department , Nanocellulose Promotion Office

Address: Room 301, Building 2, Phase 3, No. 1, Yuepu Yunchuang Center, No. 6 Shuige Road, Jiangning District

Telephone:18061643560