Fumed silica is widely used for rheology control of liquid systems, including automotive and industrial paints and coatings, and delivers a number of performance benefits including:

  • Rheology control for liquid coatings
  • Sag resistance to build film thickness
  • Thixotropy, control of flow and leveling to give optimum gloss and surface appearance
  • Free-flow additive for powder coatings
  • Fluidization of powder coatings
  • Abrasion resistance in UV cured coatings


Cabot's CAB-O-SIL treated and untreated fumed silicas are used in industrial liquid coatings to provide sag resistance and high film build. A range of treated silicas is available for optimal performance in each coating system.

Treated fumed silicas designed specifically for powder coatings to provide optimum free-flow and fluidization are also available. For tribocharge systems, SpectrAl fumed aluminas provide both fluidization and tribocharging.

New products designed for UV-cured coatings provide abrasion resistance without negatively impacting coating viscosity or appearance.