Opti Flo

OPTIFLO®associative thickeners for aqueous systems southern clay products, inc. | A rockwood specialties, inc. company OPTIFLO® Polymeric Thickeners HEAT. and HASE . HEUR. . Their commercial and financial support enabled Southern Clay Products. but we will now do so with greater efficiency. We later became part of the Rockwood Specialties Inc. will not only continue to perform as we have in the past. New Jersey in 2000. we are now positioned to reach for the next level of success and gain a stronger market hold in the years to come. and Rockwood Additives Limited. Texas. we were able to transform from a mining company into a specialty chemical company and were able to achieve global recognition in all major world areas. I N C : A n I ntroduction WIDNES AUSTIN MOOSBURG LOUISVILLE GONZALES SINGAPORE EXECUTIVE OFFICES/DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS SALES & OPERATIONS SALES For the better half of the last century. Inc. and Süd-Chemie had managed to reach major world markets. In the early days of our company we were comprised of miners and suppliers of finely milled products from local reserves. Inc. to strengthen our position internationally. continued research in a vast number of technological areas. the new Southern Clay Products. Inc. We will do this by offering our customers a wider range of products. has strived to achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction. With the December 2005 acquisition of Süd-Chemie’s rheological additives and carbonless developers businesses by Rockwood Holdings. Inc. team located in Princeton. broaden our product line and reach more areas internationally. Over the years. With both companies being incorporated into one.S O U T H E R N C L A Y P R O D U C T S . continuing to expand our position in the international market and by improving both our technology and production capabilities. . achieved high levels of customer satisfaction. We take pride in offering the highest quality specialty additives available and will continue to do so into the future. Inc. Inc. Southern Clay Products. and developed and introduced numerous new products as the companies strived to be the best in their respective markets. Both Southern Clay Products. Inc. It was in the late 1940s that Southern Clay Products. was founded in Gonzales. which includes both Southern Clay Products. etc. coatings. styrene acrylics. and adhesives while solving many of the problems often encountered with conventional urethane based thickeners.O P T I F L O ® additi v e P roperties & characteristics The OPTIFLO® family of thickeners has been designed to offer formulators broad formulating latitude in paints. spatter. and low responsive systems Suitable for exterior coatings OPTIFLO® HASE (Hydrophobic Alkali Soluble Emulsion) Polymers Low viscosity emulsion Typical HASE odor Exceptional Stormer and low shear development Excellent thickener for interior paints . vinyl acrylics. and ethylene vinyl acetates (EVA’s). liquid cleansers. caulks. and unsurpassed resistance to blister. OPTIFLO® products impart excellent flow and leveling. While the use of OPTIFLO® thickeners can eliminate or reduce the need for cellulosics. sealants. excellent stability. OPTIFLO® products are more compatible with cellulosics than urethane based thickeners leading to reduced paint syneresis and curtain sagging. Vinyl Acrylic.) Improve barrier effects Improve viscosity stability with universal tinting pastes Increase stability with respect to pH fluctuations No syneresis Improve storage stability No reduction in gloss Haze-free OPTIFLO® HEUR (Hydrophobic Ethoxylated Urethane) Polymers Nonionic and emulsifier-free Typical HEUR odor and clarity Designed for high shear viscosity range for EVA. inks. OPTIFLO® HEAT (Hydrophobic Ethoxylated Aminoplast Technology) Polymers Nonionic and emulsifier-free Low odor Water clear Products to meet all shear ranges Creates excellent brush drag Reduce spatter Do not affect acceptance of tint pastes Pseudoplastic/thixotropic behavior to prevent settling Increase resistance (to water. alcohol. and syneresis when used with a broad variety of latex binders including large and small particle size acrylics. high film build. such as latex particles. associative polymer thickener. which will ensure superior paint flow and leveling following application. but requires neutralization to solubilize the acrylic backbone. associative thickeners greatly increase viscosity. This strengthens the internal structure and thickens the materials to a honey-like consistency. The long polyethylene oxide backbone remains dissolved in water. In aqueous solutions. The number and chemical nature of the hydrophobic groups in the thickener molecule determine whether the increase in viscosity will produce Newtonian or thixotropic / pseudoplastic behavior. systems thickened with OPTIFLO® additives have no yield point. OPTIFLO® HV80 consists of a HASE or acrylic backbone which also thickens by means of association.Latex Particles Associative thickening mechanism How It Works When the interactions described above form a threedimensional network.Hydrophobic Molecules . where it links micelles and latex particles into a network. Unlike systems utilizing laminar silicates to produce thixotropic behavior. Hence the term “associative” thickening. especially under high-shear conditions. . which consists primarily of water-soluble polyethylene glycol onto which a few non-water soluble (hydrophobic) molecules have been added via a patented aminoplast linkage. The greater number of finely divided latex particles present that can associate with the hydrophobic modules. the greater the thickening effect. these hydrophobic molecules either group together to form micelles or associate with other hydrophobic components.MECHANISMS OF ACTION Structure of OPTIFLO® Associative Thickeners OPTIFLO® is a water-soluble. which raises viscosity. Viscosity > Laminar Silicates Brush drag = Reduced spattering OPTIFLO® Additives Shear Rate > Flow curve of systems thickened with OPTIFLO® additives . 5 12.O P T I F L O ® A D D I T I V E S I N F O R M U L AT I O N S OPTIFLO® Additives in Formulations Three basic types of OPTIFLO® products are available: OPTIFLO® L. Viscosity > OPTIFLO® H OPTIFLO® M OPTIFLO® L Unthickened resin The thickening behavior of OPTIFLO® M products is OPTIFLO® H products. M and H The thickening behavior of OPTIFLO® L products is largely Newtonian.diethylene glycol mono-butyl ether .5 17.5 Water Water / DB* Water / DB* Water / DB* Water / DB* Water / DB* Water Water Water Water Water / DB* Comments HEAT / No VOC’s HEUR HEAT HEAT HEAT HEAT HASE HEUR / No VOC’s HEAT / No VOC’s HEAT / No VOC’s HEAT OPTIFLO H400 OPTIFLO® H500 OPTIFLO H600 ® OPTIFLO® HV80 Specialties OPTIFLO® M2600-VF OPTIFLO® H370-VF OPTIFLO TVS-VF ® ® OPTIFLO TVS *DB . are very Regardless of grade.5 30 20 17.5 17. on the other hand. particularly at high shear rates. pseudoplastic. Shear rate > Flow Curve OPTIFLO® Additives in Formulations Standard Products OPTIFLO® L100 OPTIFLO® M2600 OPTIFLO H370 ® ® Rheology Highly Newtonian Slightly Pseudoplastic Pseudoplastic / Thixotropic Pseudoplastic / Thixotropic Pseudoplastic / Thixotropic Pseudoplastic / Thixotropic Highly Pseudoplastic Pseudoplastic / Thixotropic Pseudoplastic / Thixotropic Pseudoplastic / Thixotropic Pseudoplastic / Thixotropic Actives [%] Dissolved In 20 25 20 20 17. all OPTIFLO® products have excellent thickening properties. slightly psuedoplastic. which primarily serves to improve spatter resistance. . varnishes Furniture finishes UV-curing parquet varnishes Paints for artists Latex paints Pigment pastes Metallic finishes Printing inks Latex plasters Colored sandstone plasters Special applications Adhesives Textile auxiliaries Textile dyes Window paints Viscous Properties Use OPTIFLO® additives whenever you need effective brush drag.O P T I F L O ® A D D I T I V E application g uide OPTIFLO® ADDITIVES Standard Products = Recommended = Suitable L100 M2600 H370 H400 H500 H600 Specialty Products M2600-VF H370-VF TVS-VF TVS application guide Industrial paints Wood lacquers a. Because OPTIFLO® additives have no yield point. they generate superior leveling characteristics in paints. OPTIFLO® additives increase viscosity. Competitive HASE OPTIFLO® HV80 Competitive HASE OPTIFLO® HV80 Competitive HASE OPTIFLO® HV80 Phthalo Blue Red Iron Oxide Lamp Black .U se in D ecorati v e S ystems OPTIFLO® Additives In Decorative Systems Applying paints using a brush or roller places special demands on the rheology of coating systems. potentially requiring numerous coats. pigments. they are only effective under low-shear conditions. which consequently lend to the paint’s thixotropic and/or pseudoplastic properties. Consequently. where products are applied primarily by brush or roller. The reduction of viscosity under shear needs to be influenced and kept within certain limits. particularly with water-based paints. Due to the chemical structure. Otherwise. As a result. rheological additives such as laminar silicates have very little affect on this phenomenon. The network that results from these links is stable even in high shear conditions. The result is a necessity for a different approach to elevate the viscosity at high shear rates (typically in the range of 10. fillers or even with themselves. this type of manual application requires paint to have certain unique rheological properties.000 s-1). OPTIFLO® HV80 in a Satin VAE formulation with 3% universal colorant showing an elimination of color float vs a competitive HASE thickener. Associative thickeners designed to achieve brush drag in aqueous mediums have the ability to form bonds (associations) with binder particles. the paint coverage will be either poor or insufficient. such as spraying. thereby generating effective brush drag. the paint will lack the inner tenacity at high-shear conditions which will result in extremely thin coatings. This is especially true for decorative applications. pouring or dipping. Forming a homogenous network within the paint and within the paint film after application will quickly make the dried coating water resistant. Unlike other methods. The OPTIFLO ® thickener system (invented and patented by Southern Clay Products.U se in P aste S ystems OPTIFLO® ADDITIVES for Tinting Paste Systems Associative thickeners are often sensitive to the addition of surfactants. lamp-black). Inc. In other countries different trademark rights may apply. Without limiting the foregoing statements regarding trademark rights. This problem primarily arises when adding pigment concentrates which contain large amounts of interfering agents. In addition. Due to the unique opportunities afforded by aminoplast technology. iron oxide red. making it less sensitive to these interferents. and solvents. Inc. thereby reducing viscosity. Very little loss in viscosity is observed when tinting with a universal pigment paste (phthalocyanine blue.) introduced in 1997 was designed for the paint manufacturer for use in latex or water-based paints to provide a smooth creamy paint consistency with buttery like brush feel while preventing roller spatter (splashing that can occur from the paint roller).Surfactants OPTIFLO® TVS in a semi-gloss latex paint. Laponite. Inc. OPTIFLO® TVS is especially suitable for base paints tinted with pigment concentrates. Your reliance on the information within this reference guide is solely at your own risk and liability. for specific information concerning your proposed use of products provided and/or sold by Southern Clay Products. this technology known as “OPTIFLO ® VF Technology” will also further enhance the quality of the paint in areas such as color uniformity and paint consistency (less separation). Copyright ©2006 Southern Clay Products. Inc. dispersing agents. Trademark indicia set forth herein applies with respect to United States trademark rights. Conclusions Over the years the Paint and Coatings Industry has adopted environmental regulations to lower VOC (Volatile Organic Content) emissions in architectural coatings. Our OPTIFLO® TVS (Tinting Viscosity Stabilizer) thickener has been specially designed to address this issue. Inc. Perchem. Southern Clay Products. OPTIFLO® TVS (TVS = Tinting Viscosity Stabilizer) 0% OPTIFLO® TVS -2 0 Standard Thickener -10% -12 -15 -20% -16 -22 Reduction in viscosity [%] . The information within this reference guide is intended to provide general nonspecific information about certain products produced and/or sold by Southern Clay Products. such as dispersants and surfactants. All Rights Reserved. The challenge for the paint manufacturer is to maintain performance properties such as brushability.Latex Particles . wetting agents. As a result.Hydrophobic Molecules . does not. stain removal and durability. within the United Kingdom. OPTIFLO® TVS contains an unusually high number of strongly hydrophobic modules. paint manufacturers are moving from traditional oil-based paint systems to water-based paint systems. Please contact authorized representatives of Southern Clay Products. Inc. Reduction in viscosity when surfactants are added to systems using a standard thickener. and Easigel are registered trademarks of Rockwood Specialties Inc. a novel patented technology was recently developed which will allow all OPTIFLO ® products to be supplied VOC free. expressly or through implication. . represent or warrant that the information within this reference guide is applicable for your intended use. These additives reduce the associative interactions between the latex particles and the hydrophobic modules of the thickener. Cheshire UK WA8 3AA Telephone: 44 (0) 151 495 2222 Fax: 44 (0) 151 420 4401 www. 85368 Moosburg. Germany Telephone: 49 (0) 8761 72 150-0 Fax: 49 (0) 8761 72 150-334 ASIA Rockwood Specialties (Singapore) Pte. 1212 Church Street Gonzales.scprod. Limited 171 Chin Swee Road #10-08 San Centre Singapore 169877 Telephone: 65 6532 0676 Fax: 65 532 0502 .com Rockwood Clay Additives GmbH Stadtwaldstr. Hill Street Louisville.NAFTA Southern Clay Products. Inc. KY 40210 Telephone: 1-800-468-7210 Direct Line: 1-502-772-4403 Fax: 1-502-772-4440 Executive Offices 5508 Highway 290 West Suite 206 Austin.rockwoodadditives. TX 78629 Telephone: 1-800-324-2891 Direct Line: 1-830-672-2891 Fax: 1-830-672-1903 1600 W.com EUROPE Rockwood Additives Limited Moorfield Road Widnes. 44. TX 78735 www.