Elementis Rheology Modifiers and Additives for Coatings and Adhesives

Selection and quotation of Elementis additives: BENTONE and BENAQUA organoclays, RHEOLATE thickeners, THIXATROL thixotropes, M-P-A antisettling agent, DAPRO defoamers and NUOSPERSE dispersants.

BENTONE Organoclays for Solvent-Borne Systems

BENTONE 34 is an organic derivative of bentonite clay for low to intermediate polarity systems, BENTONE 27 a hectorite derivative for moderate to high polarity systems and synthetic binders. Both need high shear and a chemical activator. BENTONE SD-1 needs no activator or pregel.

BENTONE 34: 0.2–0.5 % in paints
BENTONE 27: 0.2–1.0 % in paints
BENTONE SD-1: 0.2–2.0 % by weight
BENTONE SD-1: no chemical activator

BENAQUA Modified Clays for Waterborne Systems

BENAQUA 4000 is an easily dispersible polymer modified clay powder for matt latex paints, textured and high-build coatings and water-borne adhesives. It is partially associative, so full thickening develops after the resin is added at pH 8.5–10.0. Elementis mines its own hectorite.

BENAQUA 4000: batch pH 8.5–10.0
Powder density 1.63 g/cm³
Good freeze/thaw stability
Matt and textured paints

RHEOLATE NiSAT Associative Thickeners

RHEOLATE NiSAT non-ionic synthetic associative thickeners cover low, mid and high shear. HX 6030 is a polyurethane thickener free of VOC, APEO and tin, HX 6008 at 25% active builds high-shear (ICI) viscosity, and RHEOLATE 212 gives Newtonian flow.

HX 6030: 1.5–2.5 % on paint weight
HX 6008: 25% active
RHEOLATE 212: Newtonian flow
Plants in North America, Europe, Asia

RHEOLATE 185 Acrylic Thickener

RHEOLATE 185 is an alkali swellable associative thickener (HASE) designed to replace cellulosic thickeners. It serves as a primary or co-thickener in waterborne paints, adhesives and sealants, tile grouts and plasters. It resists microbial spoilage and mud cracking in thick films.

Activation at pH 9.0–9.5
Solvent and APEO free
Resists microbial spoilage
Mud crack resistance

THIXATROL Organic Thixotropes

THIXATROL PLUS is a 100% active organic thixotrope for solvent-based and high build systems. THIXATROL AS 8053 activates at 40–60 °C and is designed for hybrid, SMP and SPUR adhesives and sealants. PM 8056 has no negative influence on corrosion properties.

THIXATROL PLUS: 100% active
AS 8053: activation at 40–60 °C
AS 8053: SMP and SPUR sealants
PM 8056: corrosion properties kept

M-P-A 60-X Antisettling Additive

M-P-A 60-X is an antisettling and sag-control additive supplied as a soft paste in xylene. It suspends pigments in systems diluted to spraying viscosity and prevents caking in dip tanks and storage containers. Activation needs shear, heat from 43 °C and time.

Starting level 0.5–1.0 %
Activation from 43 °C
Soft paste in xylene
Shelf life 2 years

DAPRO Defoamers for Waterborne Coatings

DAPRO DF 900 is a silicone free defoamer for water based coatings: maintenance and automotive OEM finishes, wood finishes, coil coatings, inks and varnishes. It is added in the let down at 0.2–0.6 % of total coating weight. DAPRO BIO 9910 is a defoamer with 96% biobased carbon content.

DF 900: silicone free
DF 900: 0.2–0.6 % by weight
BIO 9910: 96% biobased carbon
DF 900: stable for 4 years

NUOSPERSE Wetting and Dispersing Agents

NUOSPERSE FX 600 is a multi-functional polymer dispersant free of organic solvents for waterborne industrial and protective coatings, colorants and printing inks. NUOSPERSE FX 631 is the sodium salt of a hydrophobic copolymer, compatible with latex resins and NiSAT rheology modifiers.

FX 600: 0.5–2.0 % in paints
FX 600: 1–15 % in concentrates
FX 600: organic solvent-free
FX 631: NiSAT compatible

Choosing a BENTONE Organoclay by Polarity and Incorporation

BENTONE 34 and BENTONE 27 are incorporated on high-shear equipment (dissolver, bead or three-roll mill) with a chemical activator such as propylene carbonate, either as dry powder in the resin and solvent blend or as a 5–10 % pregel by weight.

House and industrial paints take 0.2–0.5 % dry BENTONE 34, primers 0.5–1 %; BENTONE 27 in epoxy and polyester resins is used at 0.5–1.0 %.

When BENTONE SD-1 replaces a conventional organoclay, start at the BENTONE 34 level; in the letdown it needs a dissolver tip speed of at least 4 m/s and a system at 21–35 °C. SD-1 is not suitable for lubricating greases.

Combining RHEOLATE Thickeners in Waterborne Paint

RHEOLATE HX 6030 is used at 1.5–2.5 % on total paint weight, preferably added in the letdown after the binder. It combines with other associative, clay-based and cellulosic thickeners, and its efficiency rises as latex particle size decreases.

RHEOLATE 212 builds high-shear viscosity with Newtonian flow and is meant to pair with a pseudoplastic NiSAT grade. HX 6008 works as a single thickener in small particle size latex or with RHEOLATE 655 when more mid-shear viscosity is needed.

RHEOLATE 185 is activated with alkali to pH 9.0–9.5 and added in the let-down or towards the end of the process.

Activation Temperatures for THIXATROL and M-P-A

THIXATROL PLUS is introduced at the beginning of the process and activated at a temperature set by the solvent: 66–71 °C in aliphatic, 49–54 °C in aromatic and 43–49 °C in oxygenated systems. Flow control takes 0.5–2.0 % of total system weight, antisettling alone 0.2–0.5 %.

For spray applied, force dried critical systems the manufacturer recommends THIXATROL MAX. THIXATROL AS 8053 activates at 40–60 °C from the friction heat of filler and pigment dispersion, held for at least 20 minutes.

M-P-A 60-X needs at least 43 °C in aromatic and higher polarity systems and combines with BENTONE organoclays and THIXATROL thixotropes.

Additives for Adhesives and Sealants by System Type

For solvent-free and isocyanate-free hybrid adhesives the manufacturer lists THIXATROL AS 8053 and THIXATROL PM 8056. For polyurethane, epoxy and solvent borne construction sealants it lists BENTONE SD-1, THIXATROL MAX, RHEOLATE 185, THIXATROL AS 8053 and BENAQUA 4000.

For pressure sensitive adhesives it lists NUOSPERSE FX 600, RHEOLATE HX 6008, RHEOLATE 185, THIXATROL AS 8053 and BENAQUA 4000, with rheology additives activated at lower temperatures.

The additives provide sag control, ease of extrusion and storage stability, in liquid or powder form for water-based and solvent-based adhesives.

Elementis and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of Elementis and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.