Amine pH neutralizers — AMP-95 and triethanolamine — that hold waterborne coatings at target pH for stable viscosity, in-can stability, and consistent let-down.
pH neutralizers are amines added to a waterborne coating to raise and hold its pH in the mildly alkaline band where the binder, thickeners, and dispersants perform. Most latex and acrylic emulsions are formulated to sit near pH 8 to 9, binder-dependent. At that point the acid groups on the resin and the associative thickeners stay ionized, which keeps viscosity and in-can stability predictable. Add the neutralizer during let-down and check pH against the binder supplier's target rather than a single fixed number.
AMP-95 is the workhorse neutralizer for latex and acrylic paints. It is a lower-odor amino alcohol that lifts pH with a small dose and also helps wet pigment, so formulators reach for it where odor and finish matter. The trade-off is real. Every amine neutralizer adds to the formula's amine load, which can affect can odor and may count toward volatile organic compound (VOC) content depending on how a jurisdiction classifies it. Confirm the VOC treatment for your market.
Triethanolamine (TEA) is the second common choice and doubles as a co-dispersant, which is useful when a formula needs pH control and pigment wetting from one additive. Pick the neutralizer to match the system: AMP-95 where low odor and minimal water sensitivity matter, triethanolamine where its dispersing action earns its place. Both are amines, so the same odor and VOC questions apply, and triethanolamine's regulatory profile should be confirmed for your application and jurisdiction before specifying.
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