OPTIFLO

associative thickeners for aqueous systems

southern clay products, inc. | A rockwood specialties, inc. company

OPTIFLO Polymeric Thickeners HEAT, HEUR, and HASE

S O U T H E R N C L A Y P R O D U C T S , 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, Southern Clay Products, Inc. has strived to achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction, broaden our product line and reach more areas internationally. We take pride in offering the highest quality specialty additives available and will continue to do so into the future.
It was in the late 1940s that Southern Clay Products, Inc. was founded in Gonzales, Texas. In the early days of our company we were comprised of miners and suppliers of finely milled products from local reserves. Over the years, 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.

We later became part of the Rockwood Specialties Inc. team located in Princeton, New Jersey in 2000. Their commercial and financial support enabled Southern Clay Products, Inc. to strengthen our position internationally. With the December 2005 acquisition of Sd-Chemies rheological additives and carbonless developers businesses by Rockwood Holdings, Inc, which includes both Southern Clay Products, Inc. and Rockwood Additives Limited, we are now positioned to reach for the next level of success and gain a stronger market hold in the years to come. Both Southern Clay Products, Inc. and Sd-Chemie had managed to reach major world markets, achieved high levels of customer satisfaction, continued research in a vast number of technological areas, and developed and introduced numerous new products as the companies strived to be the best in their respective markets. With both companies being incorporated into one, the new Southern Clay Products, Inc. will not only continue to perform as we have in the past, but we will now do so with greater efficiency. We will do this by offering our customers a wider range of products, continuing to expand our position in the international market and by improving both our technology and production capabilities.

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, coatings, inks, sealants, caulks, and adhesives while solving many of the problems often encountered with conventional urethane based thickeners. OPTIFLO products impart excellent flow and leveling, high film build, excellent stability, and unsurpassed resistance to blister, spatter, and syneresis when used with a broad variety of latex binders including large and small particle size acrylics, vinyl acrylics, styrene acrylics, and ethylene vinyl acetates (EVAs). While the use of OPTIFLO thickeners can eliminate or reduce the need for cellulosics, OPTIFLO products are more compatible with cellulosics than urethane based thickeners leading to reduced paint syneresis and curtain sagging.
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, liquid cleansers, etc.) 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, Vinyl Acrylic, 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

MECHANISMS OF ACTION

Structure of OPTIFLO Associative Thickeners

OPTIFLO is a water-soluble, associative polymer thickener, 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. In aqueous solutions, these hydrophobic molecules either group together to form micelles or associate with other hydrophobic components, such as latex particles. The long polyethylene oxide backbone remains dissolved in water, where it links micelles and latex particles into a network, which raises viscosity. The greater number of finely divided latex particles present that can associate with the hydrophobic modules, the greater the thickening effect. Hence the term associative thickening. OPTIFLO HV80 consists of a HASE or acrylic backbone which also thickens by means of association, but requires neutralization to solubilize the acrylic backbone.
- Hydrophobic Molecules - Latex Particles

Associative thickening mechanism

How It Works
When the interactions described above form a threedimensional network, associative thickeners greatly increase viscosity, especially under high-shear conditions. This strengthens the internal structure and thickens the materials to a honey-like consistency. 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. Unlike systems utilizing laminar silicates to produce thixotropic behavior, systems thickened with OPTIFLO additives have no yield point, which will ensure superior paint flow and leveling following application.

Viscosity >

Laminar Silicates

Brush drag = Reduced spattering

OPTIFLO Additives

Shear Rate >

Flow curve of systems thickened with OPTIFLO additives

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, M and H

The thickening behavior of OPTIFLO L products is

largely Newtonian. slightly psuedoplastic. pseudoplastic.
Viscosity >

OPTIFLO H OPTIFLO M OPTIFLO L Unthickened resin

The thickening behavior of OPTIFLO M products is OPTIFLO H products, on the other hand, are very

Regardless of grade, all OPTIFLO products have excellent thickening properties, particularly at high shear rates.

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 17.5 17.5 30 20 17.5 12.5 17.5 Water Water / DB* Water / DB* Water / DB* Water / DB* Water / DB* Water Water Water Water Water / DB*

Comments
HEAT / No VOCs HEUR HEAT HEAT HEAT HEAT HASE HEUR / No VOCs HEAT / No VOCs HEAT / No VOCs HEAT

OPTIFLO H400 OPTIFLO H500 OPTIFLO H600

OPTIFLO HV80 Specialties OPTIFLO M2600-VF OPTIFLO H370-VF OPTIFLO TVS-VF

OPTIFLO TVS

*DB - diethylene glycol mono-butyl ether

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. 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. OPTIFLO additives increase viscosity, which primarily serves to improve spatter resistance. Because OPTIFLO additives have no yield point, they generate superior leveling characteristics in paints.

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, particularly with water-based paints. This is especially true for decorative applications, where products are applied primarily by brush or roller. Unlike other methods, such as spraying, pouring or dipping, this type of manual application requires paint to have certain unique rheological properties. The reduction of viscosity under shear needs to be influenced and kept within certain limits. Otherwise, the paint will lack the inner tenacity at high-shear conditions which will result in extremely thin coatings. Consequently, the paint coverage will be either poor or insufficient, potentially requiring numerous coats. Due to the chemical structure, rheological additives such as laminar silicates have very little affect on this phenomenon. As a result, they are only effective under low-shear conditions, which consequently lend to the paints thixotropic and/or pseudoplastic properties. The result is a necessity for a different approach to elevate the viscosity at high shear rates (typically in the range of 10,000 s-1). Associative thickeners designed to achieve brush drag in aqueous mediums have the ability to form bonds (associations) with binder particles, pigments, fillers or even with themselves. The network that results from these links is stable even in high shear conditions, thereby generating effective brush drag. Forming a homogenous network within the paint and within the paint film after application will quickly make the dried coating water resistant.

OPTIFLO HV80 in a Satin VAE formulation with 3% universal colorant showing an elimination of color float vs a competitive HASE thickener.

Competitive HASE

OPTIFLO HV80

Competitive HASE

OPTIFLO HV80

Competitive HASE

OPTIFLO HV80

Phthalo Blue

Red Iron Oxide

Lamp Black

U se in P aste S ystems

OPTIFLO ADDITIVES for Tinting Paste Systems

Associative thickeners are often sensitive to the addition of surfactants, dispersing agents, wetting agents, and solvents. These additives reduce the associative interactions between the latex particles and the hydrophobic modules of the thickener, thereby reducing viscosity. This problem primarily arises when adding pigment concentrates which contain large amounts of interfering agents, such as dispersants and surfactants. Our OPTIFLO TVS (Tinting Viscosity Stabilizer) thickener has been specially designed to address this issue. Due to the unique opportunities afforded by aminoplast technology, OPTIFLO TVS contains an unusually high number of strongly hydrophobic modules, making it less sensitive to these interferents. OPTIFLO TVS is especially suitable for base paints tinted with pigment concentrates.

OPTIFLO TVS (TVS = Tinting Viscosity Stabilizer)

0%

OPTIFLO TVS
-2 0

Standard Thickener

-10%
-12 -15

-20%

-16 -22

Reduction in viscosity [%]

- Hydrophobic Molecules

- Latex Particles

- Surfactants

OPTIFLO TVS in a semi-gloss latex paint. Very little loss in viscosity is observed when tinting with a universal pigment paste (phthalocyanine blue, iron oxide red, lamp-black).

Reduction in viscosity when surfactants are added to systems using a standard thickener.

Conclusions
Over the years the Paint and Coatings Industry has adopted environmental regulations to lower VOC (Volatile Organic Content) emissions in architectural coatings. As a result, paint manufacturers are moving from traditional oil-based paint systems to water-based paint systems. The challenge for the paint manufacturer is to maintain performance properties such as brushability, stain removal and durability. The OPTIFLO thickener system (invented and patented by Southern Clay Products, Inc.) 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). In addition, a novel patented technology was recently developed which will allow all OPTIFLO products to be supplied VOC free, 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).

The information within this reference guide is intended to provide general nonspecific information about certain products produced and/or sold by Southern Clay Products, Inc. Southern Clay Products, Inc. does not, expressly or through implication, represent or warrant that the information within this reference guide is applicable for your intended use. Your reliance on the information within this reference guide is solely at your own risk and liability. Please contact authorized representatives of Southern Clay Products, Inc. for specific information concerning your proposed use of products provided and/or sold by Southern Clay Products, Inc. Trademark indicia set forth herein applies with respect to United States trademark rights. In other countries different trademark rights may apply. Without limiting the foregoing statements regarding trademark rights, Perchem, Laponite, and Easigel are registered trademarks of Rockwood Specialties Inc. within the United Kingdom. Copyright 2006 Southern Clay Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

NAFTA Southern Clay Products, Inc. 1212 Church Street Gonzales, TX 78629 Telephone: 1-800-324-2891 Direct Line: 1-830-672-2891 Fax: 1-830-672-1903 1600 W. Hill Street Louisville, 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, TX 78735 www.scprod.com

EUROPE Rockwood Additives Limited Moorfield Road Widnes, Cheshire UK WA8 3AA Telephone: 44 (0) 151 495 2222 Fax: 44 (0) 151 420 4401 www.rockwoodadditives.com Rockwood Clay Additives GmbH Stadtwaldstr. 44, 85368 Moosburg, Germany Telephone: 49 (0) 8761 72 150-0 Fax: 49 (0) 8761 72 150-334

ASIA Rockwood Specialties (Singapore) Pte. Limited 171 Chin Swee Road #10-08 San Centre Singapore 169877 Telephone: 65 6532 0676 Fax: 65 532 0502