Water-based coating systems are divided into water-soluble systems and latex systems.

In water-soluble systems, the surface tension of the system needs to be strongly reduced. The most commonly used are silicone leveling agents and fluorocarbon-based leveling agents, which work the same as they are used in solvent-based coating systems. Of course, if a truly flat surface is required, an acrylic leveling agent for an aqueous system is necessary. For latex systems, the film-forming mechanism is completely different, and the viscosity does not change with the evaporation of solvents.

The use of leveling agents in the formula may improve the substrate wettability of the coating. The acrylic leveling agent can improve the flatness of the film, but the main flow properties of the coating are more controlled and adjusted by adding rheology control agents. .