What are additives that help paint adhere to flexible plastics called?

Additives that help paint adhere to flexible plastics are commonly referred to as flex agents. These additives are specifically designed to enhance the compatibility and adhesion of paint formulations with flexible substrates, such as plastics that are subjected to movement or bending. Flexible plastics have unique properties that can make it challenging for traditional paint to stick effectively, leading to issues like cracking or peeling over time.

Flex agents work by altering the chemical structure of the paint, allowing it to maintain its adhesion and structural integrity under stress. This is especially important in automotive applications where components made from flexible plastics are often exposed to varying temperatures, moisture, and physical impacts.

In contrast, solvents, adhesives, and thinners serve different purposes. Solvents are primarily used to dissolve the paint and adjust its viscosity, adhesives bond different materials, and thinners reduce paint thickness for easier application or change the drying time but do not specifically enhance adhesion to flexible plastics. Thus, flex agents are the additives specifically designed to solve the challenges posed by painting on flexible plastic substrates.