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There is a wide range of applications when it comes down to thixotropic agent malaysia. A type of additive used with thixotropy is a thixotropic agent. Thixotropy, which is frequently observed in polymer suspensions, is the term describing the reversible sol phenomena that take place in liquids when mechanical forces like vibration and compression are applied. Thixotropic agents make use of the thixotropic effect, which can make a liquid more viscous when it is static and less viscous when it is forced by an external force. It is widely utilised as a significant component in the creation of paints, coatings, dyes, inks, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals.
The adhesive is given the thixotropic agent. The adhesive thins out during stirring and coating, making bonding operations simple. Standing causes the glue to thicken and stop flowing. The coating’s viscosity and fluidity both increase, which is good for smearing. When the building is finished, the coating’s viscosity improves, which can stop sagging and sedimentation. The viscosity, construction efficiency, and storage stability of the liquid are all directly influenced by the thixotropic agent’s quality.
The four primary types of organic bentonite, hydrogenated castor oil, fumed silica, and polyamide wax are the common thixotropic agents. Among these, hydrogenated castor oil is mostly employed in the production of pharmaceuticals because it may thicken and have a gradual release, and it can be used to make solid or semi-solid medications. In liquid resins, oils, and organic solvents, organobentonite can be employed to thicken and stabilise suspensions. Coatings, paints, inks, and other industries use it primarily. Adhesives, paints, and other industries can utilise fused silica to thicken, stop precipitation, and stop drooping.
Excellent thixotropic properties, good anti-sagging and anti-settling actions, good heat resistance, and good storage stability are all characteristics of polyamide wax. As technical procedures in downstream coatings, paints, adhesives, inks, and other industries continue to advance, organic bentonite and fumed silica are progressively unable to keep up with demand. Due to the benefits of great all-around performance, little addition amount, and positive effect, polyamide wax has established itself as the standard thixotropic agent product type.
Types of Organic Thixotropic Agents
Castor wax, amide wax, polyethene wax, polymerized vegetable oil, certain surface active agents, and mixtures—combinations of two or more of these components—are raw materials used to make thixotropic agents.
Castor Wax
Castor oil is hydrogenated to produce castor wax. In some solvents, this wax has a propensity to expand into a thixotropic gel structure at high temperatures. Castor wax is now available as a powdered thixotropic substance. This kind of thixotropic agent is effective in a variety of systems, including transparent varnish and enamels. The wax can produce seeding because of its innate ability to dissolve and re-crystallize in solvents heated to up to 30 °C/50, which is a negative.
Oxidized Polyethylene Wax
Polyethene wax that has undergone oxidation to incorporate certain polar groups is known as oxidised polyethene wax. When the wax is mixed with the pigment in a coating system to create a colloidal dispersion, the network structure they create gives the system a slight thixotropy. This kind of wax is supplied as pre-gel for easier dispersion and is offered as an anti-settling agent for enamels. One benefit of oxidised polyethene wax is that it does not suffer from the seeding issue that castor-wax-based products frequently experience.