additive reference guide

Rheocin® and Advitrol® Castor-Based Thixotropes

Garamite® Mixed Mineral Thixotropes

Claytone® and Tixogel® Organoclays

Y-Type Anti-Settling Additives

Additives Reference Guide

At Southern Clay Products, Inc., our goal is to deliver solutions to our customers... “we create and deliver solutions.”In the late 1940’s, Southern Clay Products was created with a vision – innovate and expand. We began in Gonzales, Texas as miners and suppliers of unprocessed ore and simple milled products from local reserves. We have since steadily expanded our scope, acquiring and processing minerals from a wide range of global sites – from Texas to China to Spain to Morocco to Turkey.

In 2000, Southern Clay Products became part of Rockwood Specialties, Inc. Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, Rockwood Specialties is a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals and minerals throughout the world. Rockwood Specialties’ substantial commercial and financial support will allow Southern Clay Products to strengthen our position as an international leader in our fields.

As 2005 drew to a close, Southern Clay Products completed the acquisition of the rheological additives business of Sud Chemie, including operating sites and laboratories in Louisville, Kentucky and Moosburg, Germany. These locations joined previously existing sites in Gonzales, Texas and Widnes, England to form a global physical presence for Southern Clay Products.

Through technical and commercial partnerships, joint ventures, and acquisitions, Southern Clay Products has grown into a world leader in specialty additives. Specialty additives manu-factured by Southern Clay Products are used by customers to formulate unique products in an extensive number of markets.

Today, scientists from many disciplines and diverse back-grounds work in our modern, well-equipped laboratories to develop more advanced products and technologies based on a variety of chemistries. Our scientists work with world leaders in universities and industry, including our suppliers and customer partners, to ensure that Southern Clay Products continues to be the preferred supplier of high value, multi-functional additives.

From computer modeling of ore deposits and complex chemi-cal reactions to sophisticated rheological characterizations or additive enhanced formulations, Southern Clay Products differentiates itself through state-of-the-art technology. We are committed to meeting the needs of our customers both now and in the future through world class commercial develop-ment, product design, manufacturing, technical selling, and customer partnerships.

As a result of our state of the art production facilities in Lou-isville, KY; Gonzales, TX; and Moosburg, Germany as well as our technically advanced proprietary manufacturing processes, Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays possess properties that generate superior performance. Of primary significance among these properties is the ease of dispersion of Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays.

Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclay products generally disperse much easier than competitive offsets. This is evident in our line of conventional products: Tixogel® VP, Tixogel® VZ, Claytone® 40 and Claytone® HT. Ease of dispersion is even more significant in our line of self-activating organoclays, such as Tixogel® EZ 100, Tixogel® MP100, Tixogel® MP250, Claytone® AF, and Claytone® HY.

Processing organoclays using an additional “pregel” manufacturing step to achieve full rheological development is more frequently necessary with competitive products than with our products.

The typical dispersion properties of competitive products (particularly those based on hectorite clay) require formula-tors to compensate through the addition of wetting agents and/or excessive milling. The formulator should keep in mind our unique ease of dispersion when substituting these organoclays for competitive products.

When using Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays, these extra measures are often unnecessary. Claytone® and Tixogel® organo-clays do not require dispersing aids or excessive incorporation energy. In fact, the use of dispersing aids is discouraged with the use of Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays.


Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays consist of high-swelling montmorillonite clays that are reacted with quaternary ammonium compounds.Montmorillonite is a platelet-like mineral composed of fine lamellar particles arranged in triple layers, one octahedral layer enclosed between two tetrahedral layers. In the tetrahedral lay-ers, silicon is surrounded by six oxygen atoms. In the octahe-dral layer, two aluminum atoms are surrounded by six oxygen atoms. The triple layers are connected by chemical bonds to common oxygen atoms. Some of the aluminum atoms are replaced by magnesium. This results in a net negative charge on the surface of the platelets which allows an ionic bond to the quaternary ammonium compounds.

Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays are composed of agglomer-ates which are stacks, or “books,” of montmorillonite platelets. Quaternary ammonium ions are bonded to the surface of the

platelets. These ions render the platelets organophilic. When the organoclay is added to an organic solvent and subjected to shear, the quaternary ammonium ions become solvated. The solvation force keeps the clay platelets in suspension. At this stage the Claytone® or Tixogel® conventional organoclay is dispersed, but little gelation occurs.

The gelation process for a conventional organoclay commences upon the addition of a polar activator. Optimum results are usually obtained when a small amount of water is included with the polar activator. The gelation mechanism consists of the formation of hydrogen-bonding bridges between the edges of the organoclay platelets. This results in a structure that can eas-ily break down under shear, but will reform upon the release of shear. Organoclays possess the unique characteristic of offering a slightly delayed recovery of viscosity. This type of rheological behavior is termed thixotropy.

Organoclay Structure and Composition

+Organic Compound

ION EXCHANGE REACTION

»Clay Mineral

Optimum gelation of conventional organoclays depends on two factors:

1. Shear 2. Polar Activation

High shear processing is recommended to break the Claytone® or Tixogel® organoclay agglomerates down into individual clay stacks. Further shear delaminates the tactoids into individual organoclay platelets.

It is important to remember that in most cases, the gelation process is completed only upon the addition of a polar activator. The type and level of polar activator is important. Insufficient polar activator will result in the formation of few hydrogen bonding sites, resulting in less than optimum viscosity develop-ment. Excessive levels of polar activator can result in decreased efficiency and high cost. Optimizing the level of polar activator used with your conventional Claytone® or Tixogel® organoclay will ensure optimum organoclay efficiency.

Polar Activator Percent based on weight of Claytone® orTixogel® organoclay

Ethanol/H20 (95/5) 50%*

Methanol/H20 (95/5) 33%*

Propylene Carbonate/ H20 (95/5) 40%*

*For best results, confirm these values experimentally

Incorporation of Claytone® and Tixogel® Conventional Organoclays

The following polar activators are recommended:

Two methods of incorporating conventional Claytone® or Tixogel® organoclays are commonly employed:

1. In-situ incorporation 2. Preparation of a pregel

Many manufacturers wish to avoid the extra step involved in the preparation of a pregel. The inherent ease-of-dispersion char-acteristics of Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays allow in-situ incorporation of the organoclay, which can be accomplished via the following procedure:

1. Charge solvent and portion of resin to mill.

2. Slowly add Claytone® or Tixogel® organoclay during agitation.

3. Add polar activator.

4. Mix at high speed for five to ten minutes.

5. Continue with grind phase.

Order of addition is critical when incorporating organoclays through the in-situ method. It is very important not to add wetting agents until the Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclay is activated with the polar activator. The addition of surface active (high wetting) agents, prior to activation, may interfere with optimum gelation. Surface active agents prevent delamination of the clay stacks and interfere with the formation of hydrogen-bonding bridges when added before the organoclay is fully activated. Unlike some organoclays, it is not necessary to add surface active agents to aid in the dispersion of Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays.

In-Situ Incorporation Preparation of Pregels

Some manufacturers prefer to prepare pregels. Pregels are composed of Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclay, solvent, and a polar activator.

Pregels are added to the grind phase prior to the addition of dis-persants. Pregels can be prepared by the following procedure:

1. Charge solvent to mill.

2. Slowly add Claytone® or Tixogel® organoclay (10% by wt. of pregel) to mill under agitation.

3. Mix at high speed for five minutes.

4. Add polar activator.

5. Mix at high speed for five minutes.

The following charts provide guidelines for typical usage levels of Claytone® and Tixogel® conventional organoclays. These are suggested quantities and levels. Final formulation usage levels

Claytone® and Tixogel® Conventional Organoclays - Application Levels

depend upon many factors including incorporation shear rate, solvent polarity, resin wetting properties, surface activity of other additives, and other formulation specific variables.

Coating Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

High-Build Vinyls

Vinyl-Acrylic Enamels

Baking Enamels

Two Component Epoxies

Nitrocellulose Lacquers

Pounds of Activator

Pounds Methanol/H2O(95/5) .33 .66 1.0 1.3 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.7 3.0 3.3

Pounds Ethanol/H2O(95/5) .50 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0

Pounds Propylene Carbonate/H2O(95/5) .40 .80 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 4.0

Tixogel® VZ Pounds Tixogel® VZ per 100 U.S. gallons

Coating Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Alkyd Enamels

Zinc Loaded Alkyds

Copper-Based Antifouling

High-Build Chlorinated Rubber

Traffic Paint

Red Lead Primers

Automotive/Equipment Undercoats Start at 3% by weight

Acrylic Enamels

Pounds of Activator

Pounds Methanol/H2O(95/5) .33 .66 1.0 1.3 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.7 3.0 3.3

Pounds Ethanol/H2O(95/5) .50 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0

Pounds Propylene Carbonate/H2O(95/5) .40 .80 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 4.0

Claytone® 40 and Tixogel® VP, TE Pounds of organoclay per 100 U.S. gallons

Incorporation

Claytone® and Tixogel® self-activating organoclays are easy dispersing and incorporate very readily with no polar activation. Significant reductions in the level of incorporation shear can be realized by the utilization of these products. In systems which are lightly loaded (e.g. stains, clears, and finishes), organoclays such as Tixogel® EZ 100, Tixogel® MP 100, Tixogel® MP 250, Claytone® AF, Claytone® APA, and Claytone® HY perform very ef-ficiently and result in the rapid achievement of grind specification.

Incorporation of these high performance products can typi-cally be achieved through moderate-to-high shear rates in the grind phase. Much less shear is required when compared to conventional organoclays. Post addition in the let-down phase is possible in some systems, but adequate shear levels must be achieved. The presence of surface active additives before the organoclay is fully dispersed can adversely affect the dispersion and efficiency of the organoclay. Full viscosity development of Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays should be achieved before the introduction of surface active materials.

Application Levels

Shown below are suggested starting levels for Tixogel® EZ 100 and Claytone® AF self-activating organoclay. A polar activator is usually not necessary when using Tixogel® EZ 100 or Claytone® AF. However, in some systems, low levels of activator can enhance viscosity development.

Please refer to the individual product data sheets for more extensive information on all Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays.

Coating Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Alkyd Enamels

Zinc Loaded Alkyds

Copper-Based Anti-fouling

High-Build Chlorinated Rubber

Red Lead Primers

Acrylic Enamels

Claytone® and Tixogel® Self-Activating Organoclays

Claytone® AF and Tixogel® EZ 100 Pounds of organoclay per 100 U.S gallons

Claytone® and Tixogel® Conventional Organoclays For Solventborne Systems

Product Description Density Bulking Value

Particle Size Maximum Moisture

Application

Tixogel® VP/Claytone® 40

Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

15.0 lb/gal(VP)14.2 lb/gal(40)

0.0667 gal/lb(VP)0.0704 gal/lb(40)

90%<90um (VP)98%<200M(40)

1.5% (VP)2.0% (40)

100% aliphatic to mildly aromatic systems. Automotive and equipment undercoats, trade sales alkyds, traffic paint, stains, industrial alkyds, acrylics, chlorinated rubber, epoxy esters, and aluminum coatings.

Tixogel® TE Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

15.0 lb/gal 0.0667 gal/lb 90%<90um 1.5% Particularly suitable for very low to medium polarity systems. Anti-fouling paints, primers, backing systems, chlorinated rubber, and urethanes. Often used in systems thought to require a hectorite-based organoclay.

Claytone® HT Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

14.2 lb/gal 0.0704 gal/lb 95%<200M 2.0% Suitable for aromatic systems and moderately polar systems. Used in industrial, marine, and maintenance coatings. Often used to replace hectorite-based organoclays in aromatic systems.

Tixogel® VZ Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

14.2 lb/gal 0.0704 gal/lb 90%<90um 2.0% Medium to high polarity solvents. Nitrocellulose lacquers, solution vinyls, epoxies, acrylics, wash primers, inorganic zinc rich primers, and chlorinated rubber.

Values above are typical properties, not specifications.

Claytone® and Tixogel® Self-Activating Organoclays For Solventborne Systems

Product Description Density Bulking Value Particle Size Maximum Moisture

Application

Tixogel® EZ 100/Claytone® AF

Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

11.9 lb/gal(EZ 100)12.5 lb/gal(AF)

0.084 gal/lb(EZ 100)0.080 gal/lb(AF)

90%<90um(EZ 100)98%<200M(AF)

1.5%(EZ 100)2.0%(AF)

An easy to disperse, self-activating rheological additive for low to medium polarity systems. Alkyds, processed oils, epoxy esters, and oil modified urethanes. Excellent in gravure and screen inks.


Southern Clay Products invented and developed the use of close tolerance and ultra-high pressure milling technology for the manufacture of organoclays. This process represented a major technological breakthrough in the manufacture of organoclays. Organoclay products manufactured with this process offer un-precedented rheological performance. Formulators obtain up to a 10%-20% increase in efficiency versus the traditional technol-ogy. In many cases, this eliminates settling and sag problems in systems which pose particular rheological challenges. Many customers have taken advantage of the greater efficiency by using lower loading levels...up to 20% lower! Not only can this save money, but it can also improve performance in systems that will benefit from reduced mineral loads.

A wide range of Southern Clay Products’ organoclays take ad-vantage of this performance enhancing processing. Tixogel® MP, Tixogel® MPZ, Tixogel® MPI, Claytone® HT, and Claytone® PS3 represent our cutting edge conventional organoclay offerings which take advantage of this superior processing technology. Tixogel® MP, Tixogel® MPZ, Tixogel® MPI, Claytone® HT, and Claytone® PS3 still require a polar activator in most applications.

Southern Clay Products has also developed self-activating organoclays which use this same technology. Those products include Tixogel® MP 100, Tixogel® MP 250, Claytone® HY, Claytone® APA, and Garamite® LS. All of these products offer up to 10-20% greater efficiency versus any organoclays available in the world today. Of particular benefit with these products is the increased efficiency in the low shear viscosity range. This results in greatly improved anti-settling and sag resistance. The rheology profile of these products shows an extremely steep decline in viscosity as shear increases. This means that the for-mulator can take advantage of the easy incorporation inherent with the exceptional organoclay products while approaching the rheology offered by castor thixotropes.

Like all Claytone® and Tixogel® organoclays, the “MP” tech-nology also offers the “ease-of-dispersion” that has become our hallmark.

Claytone® and Tixogel® Maximum Performance Organoclays

Product Description Density Bulking Value Maximum Moisture

Application

Tixogel® MP Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

15.0 lb/gal 0.0667 gal/lb 2.5% Highly efficient organoclay for 100% aliphatic to 100% aromatic coating systems. Often can be formulated at lower loading levels versus competitive organoclays. Typical applications are automotive and equipment undercoats, trade sales, alkyds, traffic paint, stains, industrial alkyds, and epoxy coatings. Requires polar activator concentration typical of conventional organoclays.

Claytone® PS3 Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

14.67 lb/gal 0.0681 gal/lb 2.0% Highly efficient organoclay developed for unsaturated polyester resins and similar applications.

Tixogel® MPI Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

13.5 lb/gal 0.074 gal/lb 2.5% Tixogel® MPI is designed as an easy-to-disperse rheological additive for low and medium polarity solvent-based ink systems. Tixogel® MPI can help reduce misting, improve hold out, and improve yield. Tixogel® MPI can be added to the pigment grind or added to finished product to adjust viscosity. Tixogel® MPI efficiency can be improved by the use of 0.1% water as an activator.

Tixogel® MPZ Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

14.12 lb/gal 0.071 gal/lb 3.0% Highly efficient organoclay for coatings containing aromatic and/or oxygenated hydrocarbon solvents. Tixogel® MPZ is particularly effective at building low shear viscosity and can be used to obtain excellent application properties or to reduce loading levels.


Claytone® and Tixogel® Maximum Performance Conventional Organoclays

Product Description Density Bulking Value Maximum Moisture Application

Tixogel® MP 100 Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

11.9 lb/gal 0.084 gal/lb 2.5% High efficiency, easy-to-disperse organoclay for all coating systems formulated with aliphatic or aliphatic/aromatic solvent blends. Typically 10 to 20% more efficient than competitive products. Particularly effective in building very low shear viscosity. Requires no polar activator.

Claytone® HY Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

18.0 lb/gal 0.0556 gal/lb 2.0% High efficiency, easy-to-disperse organoclay that works in most applications, from aliphatic to moderately polar formulations. Activator free grade that can replace multiple competitive grades. Used in architectural, maintenance, and industrial (OEM) finishes.

Claytone® APA Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

14.2 lb/gal 0.0704 gal/lb 2.0% High efficiency, easy-to-disperse, activator free grade that is designed to function most effectively in highly polar systems, particularly in systems containing high amounts of ketones.

Tixogel® MP 250 Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

13.9 lb/gal 0.072 gal/lb 3.0% High efficiency product for oxygenated hydrocarbon solvent-based coatings. Requires no polar activator. This product’s outstanding ability to build very low shear viscosity can be used to obtain excellent application properties or to reduce loading levels

Garamite® LS Quaternary Ammonium Compound of Bentonite

13.3 lb/gal 0.0752 gal/lb 2.0% Very high efficiency organoclay for use in aliphatic to aromatic systems. Can be used as a true stir-in for many applications. Used in automotive refinish, aerosol, and grease applications.


Claytone® and Tixogel® Maximum Performance Self-Activating Organoclays

Mixed mineral thixotropes (MMTs) are Southern Clay Products’ most recent rheological additives. As the name implies, these novel additives are a blend of minerals and specially selected surface treatments. Garamite® MMTs are characterized by ex-treme ease of use, high performance to viscosity ratio, and high efficiency. They offer the formulator high performance at low vis-cosity due to a very steep rheological profile combined with very fast recovery rates. This previously unattainable performance is offered in a package that is non-dusting and can be incorporated into most systems with low shear. Systems containing Garamite®

MMTs do not exhibit post-wetting or other stability issues to the extent that products such as fumed silica do.

In many systems the use of a small amount (10% of the weight of MMT) of a synergist such as BYK® R-605 (available from BYK Chemie) will further enhance the efficiency of Garamite® MMTs. For optimal efficiency and performance, we recommend that Garamite® MMTs be predispersed in solvent, monomer, or resin. Garamite® MMT predispersions are indefinitely stable. Garamite® additives are particularly effective in 100% solids and high solids formulations due to their ability to develop performance at low viscosity.

Product Description Density Specific Gravity

Maximum Moisture

Application

Garamite® 1210 Mixed Mineral Thixotrope

8 lbs/ft3 1.5-1.7 6.0% A highly efficient, highly thixotropic additive for unsaturated polyester resin systems. Competes very well against fumed silica and organoclay thixotropes.


8 lbs/ft3 1.5-1.7 6.0% A highly efficient, highly thixotropic additive for epoxies, vinyl esters,unsaturated polyester resin systems, and higher build thermoset systems. Competes very well against fumed silica and organoclay thixotropes. Performs well in many highly oxygenated systems. Not recommended in pure aliphatic systems.


4 lbs/ft3 1.5-1.7 6.0% A micronized version of Garamite® 1958 developed specifically for thin film (<75 micron) applications.


Y Series Anti-Settling Additives



Compared to organoclays, castor-based thixotropes are signifi-cantly more thixotropic. This means that paints and coatings formulated with castor-based thixotropes exhibit shear-thinning that does not immediately rebuild upon removal of the shear forces. This type of rheology presents several advantages, mainly in application properties. These coatings exhibit a “but-tery” feel during brushing, and provide a good balance between sag and leveling. They usually are more effective in pigment suspension when compared to organoclay gellants, and are particularly effective in lower solids applications.

There are, however, several important processing consid-erations to keep in mind when using castor products. The mechanism by which these materials function is based on the solubility of the organic thixotrope in the solvent system. When a proper balance of dispersion and partial solvation is reached, a colloidal gel network develops which imparts a thixotropic nature to the coating. Since this network is a function of the solubility parameters, any factor affecting that parameter will influence the efficiency of the system. In normal use, the grind portion containing the thixotrope is heated (via normal

processing) to a point within the temperature range sufficient to activate the material, but not so high as to completely dissolve the thixotrope. If the thixotrope is dissolved through excessive temperature during incorporation, seeding may occur as the solution cools. The strength of the solvent is an important factor in determining the useful processing temperature range.

Another important processing consideration involves a phenom-enon known as “false body.” This high apparent viscosity is due to a secondary gel structure which is formed when a castor-based thixotrope formulation is cooled, without shear, to below the minimum activation temperature. Maintaining shear while the product cools will avoid the development of false body. In the event false body does occur, it can be easily eliminated by providing additional shear after the coating has cooled.


1. Disperse thoroughly by adding castor-based thixotrope to the initially cool grind phase.

2. Continue grind and allow temperature to rise to within the recommended range. Allow minimum of 10 minutes dwell time within temperature range.

3. Cool the batch while imparting low shear to below the minimum activation temperature.

Southern Clay Products supplies two types of castor thixo-tropes: Rheocin® and Advitrol®. Solvent strength and pro-cessing temperature requirements typically determine which thixotrope can be used in a formulation. Figures 1 and 2 on the following page illustrate the recommended solvent and tem-perature parameters. Further details are provided in the product chart at the back of this section.

Acceptable incorporation temperatures and Kauri Butanol values for Rheocin® and Advitrol® thixotropes are shown in Figures 1 and 2. Please note that these are suggested guidelines and should be verified in your specific formulation.

These graphs show the areas of optimum efficiency of the thixotropes as a function of both temperature and solvent strength. It is critical to understand that temperatures in excess of those recommended will most likely result in the formation of seeds. Insufficient temperature will also result in inefficiency and seeding due to incomplete dispersion and partial solvation and swelling. Because of the difficulty in anticipating overall solubility characteristics of a solvent/resin system, lab stud-ies are recommended to establish the proper dispersion/temperature parameters.

Incorporation and Activation Procedures

Figure 1Rheocin® Thixotrope Incorporation Temperatures based on solvent strength

Figure 2Advitrol® Thixotrope Incorporation Temperatures based on solvent strength

200˚F

180˚F

160˚F

140˚F

120˚F

100˚F

80˚F

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110

Kauri Butanol Value

Recommended range

Advitrol® efficiency low in this area due to poor solvation

Mineral Spirits Xylene

180˚F

160˚F

140˚F

120˚F

100˚F

80˚F

60˚F

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110

Kauri Butanol Value

Area of optimum per-formance for improved brushability, stable pigment suspension, sag penetration, thixotropic body and viscosity

Rheocin® effectiveness delayed and possibly reduced in this area

Rheocin® generally not recommended in this area - tendency to seed

Advitrol® generally not recommended in this area - tendency to seed


Product Description Density Bulking Value Particle Size Maximum Moisture

Application

Rheocin® Castor Oil Derivative 8.50 lb/gal 0.118 gal/lb 99%<44um 0.15% For aliphatic solvent systems. May be used in trade sales alkyds, stains, industrial alkyds, and any other aliphatic coating systems.

Rheocin® T Inorganically Extended Castor Oil Derivative

12.20 lb/gal 0.082 gal/lb 99%<44um 0.20% Easier dispersing version for aliphatic solvent systems. May be used in trade sales alkyds, stains, industrial alkyds, and any other aliphatic coatings systems.

Rheocin® PC Castor Oil Derivative 8.50 lb/gal 0.118 gal/lb Flakes 0.20% Promotes flow and leveling of powder coatings. Improves film uniformity, edge coverage, gloss, and DOI.

Advitrol® 100 Castor Oil Derivative 8.48 lb/gal 0.118 gal/lb 99%<44um 0.15% Suitable for a wide range of solvent systems. May be used in trade sales paints, industrial maintenance coatings, marine coatings, product finishes, high build epoxies, and vinyls.

Advitrol® 50 Inorganically Extended Castor Oil Derivative

12.20 lb/gal 0.082 gal/lb 99%<44um 0.20% Easier dispersing version of Advitrol® 100 suitable for a wide range of solvent systems. May be used in trade sales paints, industrial maintenance coatings, marine coatings, product finishes, high build epoxies, and vinyls.


Anti-settling additives are commonly used in industrial coatings and product finishes. These products provide sag control and pigment suspension without increasing apparent viscosity. Anti-settling additives affect the viscosity in the very low shear re-gion where settling, sag, and leveling properties are controlled.

Y-25 XY-25 X is an organic paste in xylene. It is very effective in promoting anti-settling and sag control without having an ap-preciable effect on package viscosity.

Y-20 XPY-20 XP is a pourable, anti-settling additive that functions much like the Y-25 X paste product. The pourable nature of Y-20 XP imparts much easier handling characteristics and decreases product loss due to difficulties encountered in completely trans-ferring paste products from the drum.

Both Y-25 X and Y-20 XP are water free.

Incorporation and Use Levels

All Y-Type products should be processed under high-shear dis-persion and should be added at the beginning of the dispersion process. A minimum processing temperature of 110˚F (43˚C) for the xylene paste is necessary for complete activation.

There is no maximum processing temperature for Y-Type anti-settling additives. These products do not cause seeding even when very high temperatures are reached during incorporation.

A recommended starting level for Southern Clay Products’ anti-settling additives is 0.3-0.4% (expressed as 100% active) based on the weight of the formulation.


Y-Type incorporation temperatures based upon solvent strength

180˚F

160˚F

140˚F

120˚F

100˚F

80˚F

60˚F

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110

Kauri Butanol Value

Area of optimum performance for sag control, thixotropic body, pigment sus-pension and improved brushability

Area of good perfor-mance for pigment suspension

Effectiveness of Y-Types diminishes in this area


Somewhat less effective for sag control and thixotropic body

Product Description Density BulkingValue

Minimum Processing Temperature1

Application

Y-20 XP 20% Organic Fluid in Xylene

7.4 lb/gal 0.135 gal/lb 110oF Easy to use, pourable version that has excellent anti-settling properties without increasing apparent viscosity. May also be used to increase sag resistance. Applications are primers (especially zinc-rich primers), traffic paint, and finishes where xylene is compatible.

Y-25 X 25% Organic Paste in Xylene

7.4 lb/gal 0.135 gal/lb 110oF Excellent anti-settling properties without increasing apparent viscosity. May also be used to increase sag resistance. Applications are primers (especially zinc-rich primers), traffic paint, and finishes where xylene is compatible.

Adjust®-4 70% Acitive Organic Liquid

8.7 lb/gal 0.115 gal/lb N/A Can be used to correct poor sag resistance in finished batches of paint without appreciably increasing the apparent viscosity. Can also be used to improve pigment suspension in low viscosity systems, such as stains or aerosols. Most widely used in trade sales alkyds and stains, but is also generally compatible with most coatings systems. Contains approximately 28% water.

1See guide on previous page for recommended incorporation temperatures for Y-type products. Values above are typical properties, not specifications.

Anti-Settling Additives For Solventborne Systems

Optiflo® Polymeric Rheology Additives

Optiflo® Polymeric Rheology Additives

Southern Clay Products is a worldwide supplier of thickeners and rheology modifiers for the coatings industry. As the market share of waterborne coatings has increased, the demand for wa-terborne thickeners has grown as well. Southern Clay Products has responded to the request from customers for alternative waterborne thickeners. The response was the development of the Optiflo® family of polymeric thickeners, including products based on patented aminoplast technology.

The Optiflo® family of thickeners offers formulators broad latitude in paints, coatings, inks, sealants, caulks, and adhesives while alleviating many of the problems often encountered with conventional nonionic thickeners. Optiflo® additives impart ex-cellent flow and leveling, high film build, excellent stability, and unsurpassed resistance to blistering, spattering, 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 reduce or eliminate the need for cellulosic thick-

OPTIFLO® Polymeric Rheology Additives for Waterborne Systems

eners, aminoplast-based Optiflo® additives reduce or eliminate syneresis and sagging due to being more compatible with cel-lulosics than other nonionic thickeners are.

A major breakthrough took place with the development of Optiflo® TVS. This product has been shown to provide unsur-passed viscosity stability upon tinting making it easier for paint manufacturers to produce pastel, mid, deep, and neutral bases without major viscosity loss.

All of the Southern Clay Products’ Optiflo® additives are supplied as low odor solutions. All of the Optiflo® additives that have traditionally utilized co-solvent are now available in VF (VOC-free) versions.

Product Description % Solids Solvent Application

OPTIFLO® L100 HEAT** 20.0% VOC Free For small particle size acrylic and styrene acrylic latex systems. Used to generate high shear viscosity and excellent flow for brush applications. Low odor.

OPTIFLO® L1400 HEUR 20.0% VOC Free For small particle size acrylics and styrene acrylic latex systems. Highly efficient in generating high shear viscosity.

OPTIFLO® H370VF HEAT** 17.5% VOC Free For use in building Stormer and ICI viscosity for vinyl acrylic, acrylic and styrene acrylic systems.

OPTIFLO® H400 HEAT** 20.0% water/DB*** For use in building Stormer and ICI viscosity for vinyl acrylic and acrylic systems.

OPTIFLO® H3300 HEUR 25.0% water/DB*** For use in building Stormer and ICI viscosity for vinyl acrylic and large particle size acrylic systems, especially for greater sag resistance for spray applications.

OPTIFLO® H3300VF HEUR 17.5% VOC Free VOC Free version of H3300.

OPTIFLO® H600VF HEAT** 15.0% VOC Free For use in building Stormer and ICI viscosity efficiently while maintaining viscosity stability when tinted. Used as a key co-thickener with L100 to give balance of flow and sag resistance.

OPTIFLO® M2600VF HEUR 20.0% VOC Free Generates high-shear viscosity in PVA, EVA, and other low response acrylic and styrenated resins.

OPTIFLO® TVS-VF HEAT** 12.0% VOC Free Tinted Viscosity Stabilizer. Designed particularly for stabilizing the viscosity of factory or in store tinted paints by eliminating or greatly reducing loss of viscosity upon addition of colorants.

OPTIFLO® HV80 HASE 30.0% VOC Free Highly KU efficient acrylic thickener with excellent tint and color acceptance for interior formulations.

Values above are typical properties, not specifications.**Hydrophobically modified Ethoxylated Aminoplast Thickener***DB = diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether

OPTIFLO® Polymeric Rheology Additives for Waterborne Systems

Smectite Additives

Smectite Additives

Bentolite® L10, Optigel® CK, Optigel® CG and Optigel® WH thickeners are comprised of unmodified bentonite. These thickeners deliver good stability, anti-settling, anti-syneresis and anti-sag properties. Major performance benefits include high yield value and improved hiding in mid to high PVC water-based paints. These additives may be used at levels of 0.5 to 3% of formulation weight, with lower levels providing settling and syneresis control and higher levels providing strong anti-sag and thickening.

Mineral Colloid® additives deliver the same benefits as unmodi-fied Bentolite® and Optigel® additives but in a more efficient product. Designed for products that cannot tolerate higher mineral loads but still desire the stability, anti-settling, anti-sag and high yield values of smectite technology, Mineral Colloid® additives deliver unsurpassed purity in a natural smectite. These additives may be used at 0.25 to 2.0% of formulation weight.

Permont® SX10A and Permont® SC20 deliver all the advantages of smectite in a liquid package. With unequalled ease of use and a substantial improvement in hiding, Permont® additives deliver a unique combination of cost savings and performance.

Smectite Additives For Waterborne Systems

Gelwhite® additives deliver smectite performance in a whiter product. Gelwhite® additives are designed for the demanding application which requires only the whitest of additives

Optigel® LX, WX, and WA additives are organically modified to provide higher and more efficient viscosity and thixotropy devel-opment in waterborne or water-reducible systems.

All Optigel®,Bentolite®,Mineral Colloid®, and Gelwhite® additives can be readily dispersed with high speed mixers. These addi-tives should be dispersed in water prior to the addition of other ingredients.

Permont® additives are already slurried in water and do not need further dispersion.

Optigel®,Bentolite®,Mineral Colloid®,Gelwhite®,and Permont®


Particle Size

Maximum Moisture

Application

Optigel® LX Organically Modified Sodium Bentonite

15.0 lb/gal 0.0666 gal/lb 90% < 250µm

9% Specially designed for use in latex emulsion systems. Can be used alone or in combination with cellulosic materials to improve pigment suspension and to impart dripless application properties. Requires preservatives in aqueous dispersion.

Optigel® WX Organically Modified Sodium Bentonite

18.4 lb/gal 0.0545 gal/lb 95% < 44µm

10% Designed to impart high yield value in aqueous systems. Effective in preventing settling of heavy pigments and fillers, also increases sag resistance.

Optigel® WA Organically Modified Sodium Bentonite

20.0 lb/gal 0.0499 ga/lb 95% < 44µm

10% Effective thickener for flat and semi-gloss latex paints, plasters, tile adhesives, and household cleaners. Resistant to bacterial attack.

Optigel® CK Unmodified Sodium Bentonite

21.7 lb/gal 0.0461 gal/lb 95% < 44µm

10% Highly effective thickener at low shear rates. Provides excellent anti-settling and sag resistance in waterborne coating systems while maintaining a low mid-range viscosity. Provides suspension characteristics in cosmetic creams or lotions and household cleaning products.

Optigel® CG Unmodified Sodium Bentonite

21.7 lb/gal 0.0461 gal/lb 95% < 44µm

10% Effective thickener for building anti-settling and sag resistance in economic waterborne coating systems.

Optigel® WH Unmodified Sodium Bentonite

21.7 lb/gal 0.0461 gal/lb 90% - 325M

6% Effective thickener of mid to high PVC paints. Can be used as a partial replacement of cellulosic thickeners while enhancing hiding.

Bentolite® L10 Unmodified Calcium Bentonite

21.7 lb/gal 0.0461 gal/lb 90% - 325M

6% Will generate anti-settling and anti-syneresis properties with little to no thickening.




Particle Size

Maximum Moisture

Application

Mineral Colloid® BP Unmodified Purified Sodium Smectite

21.7 lb/gal 0.0461 gal/lb

60% -200M 10.0% Designed for applications above 35% volume solids that require a high efficiency thickener to generate sag resistance, anti-settling, and anti-syneresis properties

Mineral Colloid® MO Unmodified Purified Sodium Smectite Contains Polymer


60% -200M 8.0% Designed for applications below 35% volume solids that require a high efficiency thickener to generate sag resistance, anti-settling, and anti-syneresis properties

Gelwhite® GP Unmodified Purified High Brightness Smectite


75% -200M 8.0% For systems requiring the whitest possible additives. Particularly effective in cosmetic and consumer products.

Gelwhite® H Unmodified Purified High Brightness Smectite


75% -200M 8.0% For systems requiring the whitest possible additives. Particularly effective in cosmetic and consumer products. Gelwhite® H is a bacteria controlled grade.

Permont® SX10A Slurried Sodium Smectite


N/A 10% Solids by weight

Designed for manufacturers requiring the functionality of smectite thickeners in a liquid package. Particularly effective in mid to high PVC architectural coatings which require excellent dry hiding and spray properties.

Permont® SC20 Slurried Sodium Smectite


N/A 20% solids by weight

Designed for manufacturers requiring the functionality of smectite thickeners in a liquid package. Particularly effective in mid to high PVC architectural coatings which require excellent dry hiding and spray properties. May be a better choice in some systems with anionic additives.



Laponite® Synthetic Silicates

Laponite® Synthetic Silicates


Particle Size

Maximum Moisture

Application

Laponite® RD Synthetic Layered Silicate

21.7 lb/gal

0.0461gal/lb 98% -250 M 10.0% Designed to develop thixotropic rheology efficiently in applications with adequate free water. For general and industrial use.

Laponite® RDS Synthetic Layered Silicate

21.7 lb/gal

0.0461gal/lb 98% -250 M 10.0% Designed to develop thixotropic rheology efficiently in applications with limited free water. For general and industrial use.

Laponite® SLaponite® JS

Synthetic Layered Fluorosilicate

21.7 lb/gal

0.0461gal/lb 98% -250 M 10.0% High sol forming grades for electrically conductive, anti-static, and barrier films

Laponite® XLG Synthetic Layered Silicate

21.7 lb/gal

0.0461gal/lb 98% -250 M 10.0% Designed for personal care products requiring extremely low levels of heavy metals.

Laponite® XLS Synthetic Layered Silicate

21.7 lb/gal

0.0461gal/lb 98% -250 M 10.0% Sol forming grade designed for personal care products requiring extremely low levels of heavy metals.

Laponite® DF Synthetic Magnesium Silicate with Fluoride Ions

21.7 lb/gal

0.0461gal/lb 98% -250 M 10.0% Designed for rapid dispersion in sorbitol solution for toothpaste applications

Laponite® DS Synthetic Magnesium Silicate with Fluoride Ions

21.7 lb/gal

0.0461gal/lb 98% -250 M 10.0% Sol grade designed for rapid dispersion in sorbitol solution for toothpaste applications

Laponite® synthetic silicate additives are platelets designed for a wide range of applications. Laponite® additives can gener-ate clear solutions in water. Laponite® additives can be used to generate thixotropy, to control color migration, to develop static dissipative films, and to generate pleasing texture and consis-tency for personal care products.

Laponite® Synthetic Silicates for Waterborne Systems

Laponite® additives are totally synthetic and have none of the contaminants that might typically be found in a naturally occur-ring product. Through careful control of raw materials and pro-cessing, Laponite® synthetic silicates offer customers the most consistent solution to opportunities which demand superior rheological performance in aqueous environments.

Glossary

Glossary

To help the user of rheological additives to better understand the terminology, the following definitions are provided.

Viscosity The resistance to flow of a fluid: mathematically defined as the ratio of shear stress to shear rate.

Shear Rate A measurement of the rate of fluid flow; for example, when two parallel surfaces are separated by a fluid film and are moving relative to one another, the shear rate is defined as the ratio of the relative velocity between the plates and the thickness of the fluid film.

GLOSSARY

Shear Stress A measurement of the force on a fluid which results in flow.

Newtonian Fluid An ideal fluid characterized by a constant viscosity; that is, the shear stress and shear rate are directly proportional.

Pseudoplastic Fluid A fluid which decreases in viscosity with increasing shear rates and increases in viscosity (proportionately) with decreasing shear rates.

Dilatant Fluid A fluid which increases in viscosity with increasing shear rates.

Thixotropic Fluid A fluid which decreases in viscosity with increasing shear rate, however, upon decreasing shear rate will “slowly” re-build viscosity offering a delayed recovery effect.

viscosity=shear stress

shear rate

shear rate=plate velocity

film thickness

The adjacent figure illustrates the relationship between shear rate and some important paint properties. At the lowest shear range, settling properties are indicated. At a slightly higher shear rate, sag and leveling can be measured. At an intermedi-ate shear rate, the apparent, or stirred-paint viscosity can be evaluated. At the highest shear rates one can measure the appli-cation viscosity, which relates to the flow characteristics of the coating while in the process of being applied through brushing, rolling, or spraying.

Rheology In Coatings

10,000

1,000

100

10

0.001 .01 .1 1 10 102 103 104

Shear Rate (sec-1)

Settling

Leveling & Sag

Stirred, or apparent viscosity

Application characteris-tics (brush, spray, roll,

etc.)

Visc

osity

(cps

)

Southern Clay Products Elementis

Conventional Types

Tixogel® VP/Claytone® 40 Bentone® 34

Claytone® HT Bentone® 38

Tixogel® VZ Bentone® 27

Self-Activating Types

Tixogel® EZ100/Tixogel® MP100/ Claytone® AF

Bentone® SD1

Claytone® HY Bentone® 34/38/SD1/SD2/SD3

Tixogel® MP250/Claytone® APA Bentone® SD2

Specialty Types

Tixogel® MPI/Claytone® PS3 Benathix®

Tixogel® MPI/Garamite® LS Baragel® 3000

Competitive Offset Chart

Organoclays

Southern Clay Products Elementis Poly Resyn

Y-20 XP MPA 2000X Suspeno® 201X, Suspeno® 202X

Y-25X MPA 60X

Adjust®-4 POST 4

Castor-Based Thixotropes

Anti-Settling Additives


Rheocin® Thixcin® R

Rheocin® T Thixcin® GR

Advitrol® 100 Thixatrol® ST

Advitrol® 50 Thixatrol® GST


Optigel® WX NDO

Optigel® LX Bentone® LT

Optigel® WA/Mineral Colloid® BP/Mineral Colloid® MO Bentone® EW

Optigel® CK Benaqua®

Optigel® CG/ Optigel® WH NDO

Laponite® RD/Laponite® RDS NDO

NDO - No Direct Offset

Smectite Additives

Polymeric Rheology AdditivesSouthern Clay Products Rohm and Haas Elementis Cognis Aqualon

OPTIFLO® L100 RM2020npr, RM1020 Rheolate® 244 DSX-3000, DSX-3075 NHS-300, NHS-310

OPTIFLO® L1400 RM-5000 NDO NDO NDO

OPTIFLO® M2600VF RM-6000 Rheolate® 278 DSX-1514 NDO

OPTIFLO® H3300 RM-825 Rheolate® 255 DSX-1550 NLS-210

OPTIFLO® H3300VF RM-8W Rheolate® 255 DSX-1550 NLS-210

OPTIFLO® H370VF NDO NDO NDO NDO

OPTIFLO® H400 NDO NDO NDO NDO

OPTIFLO® H600VF RM-895 CVS-1, CVS-2, CVS-3 NDO XLS

OPTIFLO® TVS-VF NDO NDO NDO NDO

NDO - No Direct Offset

NAFTASouthern 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 11719 Bee Cave Rd. Suite 103 Austin, TX 78738 www.scprod.com

additive reference guide

Documents