Thixatrol PM – Organic Thixotropes with a Wide Activation Range

Various industrial, maintenance and marine coatings require significant sag resistance in spray applications. These systems typically involve spray application at thicknesses of 1000 µm or greater. These high requirements limit the selection of rheology modifiers.

Organic thixotropes are generally used to meet specific requirements. However, rheology modifiers in this class have complex demands in terms of blending and activation. Optimum performance requires systems based on a manifold of binder chemicals and various solvent compositions. These systems may involve high temperatures combined with high shear over a defined period and within a specific range. Various production methods are used to manufacture coating systems. The most commonly used production technique is batch-by-batch, where the energy required to achieve and control activation temperature is generally generated through friction during dispersion. Disperser speed and pigment/extender loading levels exert a strong effect on the total process duration, and the final temperature depends on these parameters. Since external heating and cooling equipment is generally not available, active temperature control during production is not possible, although this temperature control can be performed under laboratory conditions. Rheology modifiers usable over wide temperature ranges provide significant benefits in such situations. [caption id="attachment_103510" align="aligncenter"] Figure 1. Viscosity versus activation temperature for THIXATROL PM 8056 and THIXATROL PM 8054 products[/caption] THIXATROL® PM 8054 and THIXATROL® PM 8056 are rheological additives that can be activated over a wide temperature range for industrial applications. Additionally, both products provide high sag resistance in spray applications compared to products manufactured with similar systems. Post-addition and activation performance are equally comparable. [caption id="attachment_103511" align="aligncenter"] Figure 2. Sag resistance of THIXATROL® PM 8054 and THIXATROL® PM 8056 products[/caption]   No adhesion problems were observed with THIXATROL® PM 8054 and THIXATROL® PM 8056 products in any of the tests. Another rheology modifier is the diamide wax-based THIXATROL® AS 8053 product. This product is suitable for both solvent-free and solvent-containing systems. Udo Schonhoff Technical Sales Manager - Paints EMEA Elementis Çise Karamehmetoğlu Sales Manager Fuchs Kimya Fırat Pınar Sales Manager Fuchs Kimya