Associative Rheology Modifiers for Coatings and Inks

RHEOLATE® HX 6030 by Elementis is a non-ionic associative thickener (NiSAT) designed for waterborne systems. It is a VOC-, APEO-, and tin-free polyurethane solution offering high thickening efficiency without compromising application performance.

• It provides excellent sag resistance, flow and leveling due to its balanced Newtonian rheology profile, making it ideal for use in coatings ranging from low sheen to high gloss enamels.
• It can replace conventional medium to high shear rheology modifiers and is compatible with various resin chemistries.
• It can be used alone or in combination with other thickeners to optimize brush and roller application properties.
• It is a pourable and pumpable liquid, offering low odor and good storage stability.
• RHEOLATE® HX 6030 does not detract from gloss or wet adhesion and performs well across a broad pH range.
• It has stronger association in smaller particle size resin and is compatible with most water-based resin systems.
• It exhibits excellent compatibility with other associative rheological additives, clay-based thickeners, or cellulosic thickeners for desired rheology.
• It is suitable for use in water-based systems including premium zero- to low-VOC and conventional latex paints, inks and textile coatings.
• It has a shelf life of 24 months and recommended usage level is 1.5% to 2.5% on total paint weight.

RHEOLATE® BIO 5075 by Elementis is a bio-based mid-shear non-ionic synthetic associative thickener (NiSAT). It is an environmentally friendly, VOC-, APEO-, and tin-free polyurethane solution.

• It is designed to give a good balance of leveling and sag resistance in interior and exterior deco paints across all sheen levels.
• Its low viscosity makes it an easy to handle pourable and pumpable liquid.
• It shows excellent compatibility with other associative rheological additives, clay-based thickeners, or cellulosic thickeners for desired rheology.
• It offers broad formulation flexibility, excellent storage stability, ease of incorporation and use, spatter resistance, and pH independence.
• RHEOLATE® BIO 5075 is designed for use in industrial water-based coatings systems, inks and textile coatings.
• Recommended dosage level is 0.2-1% (thickener solids weight) on total system weight.
• It has a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture.

RHEOLATE® 212 by Elementis is 20% solids, VOC-free polyether polyurethane associative rheology modifier. It shows more efficient high-shear viscosity development and improved flow and levelling properties.

• It can be used alone with small particle size latex systems or in combination with a co-thickener such as RHEOLATE® 655 or RHEOLATE® 666 if higher mid-shear (package) viscosity is required.
• It shows more efficient high-shear viscosity development and improved flow and levelling properties.
• It provides superior spatter resistance, good color acceptance and pourable liquid for easy addition.
• It is bio-stable and pH independent grade.
• It is compatible with other thickeners.
• It does not detract from gloss or wet adhesion.
• Designed for use in high quality, low VOC latex paints, high- & semi-gloss interior and exterior latex paints and other waterborne alkyd latex paints, inks and textile coatings where maintaining viscosity at high shear during product application and improved film levelling are required.
• Recommended dosage level is 0.5% to 5% (thickener solids weight) on total system weight.
• RHEOLATE® 212 has a shelf life of 2 years.

RHEOLATE® FX 1010 by Elementis is a polyether polyurethane-based high-efficiency associative thickener. It also acts as a binding agent. It improves the anti-settling and sag resistance of aqueous paints by increasing the mid and low shear viscosity.

• It provides long-term viscosity stability and is less sensitive to hydrolysis.
• Offers improved weathering and decreased water sensitivity.
• It shows compatibility with standard latexes used in emulsion paints.
• It provides high water resistance and increased scrub resistance.
• It exhibits improved flow and very good gloss performance.
• It possesses very good resistance to bacterial degradation.
• Also improves long-term viscosity stability and reduces roller spattering.
• RHEOLATE® FX 1010 is designed for aqueous systems such as emulsion and dispersion paints based on polyacrylic and polyvinyl acetate homopolymers and terpolymers.
• It is suitable for use in gloss and matte finishes.
• Recommended dosage level is 0.2-2%.
• It has a shelf life of 3 years from the date of manufacture.

RHEOLATE® BIO 5010 by Elementis is a bio-based associative thickener for high shear-rate viscosity build in water-borne systems. It is an environmentally friendly, APEO-, VOC-, and tin-free polyurethane solution.

• It provides improved flow and levelling in the gloss and semi-gloss water-based paints than most other viscosity modifiers.
• Its ability to enhance high shear viscosity of water-based paints is desirable for improved applied film build and levelling properties.
• It is compatible with other thickeners and does not detract from gloss or wet adhesion.
• It provides superior spatter resistance, good color acceptance and is a pourable liquid for easy addition with pH independence.
• RHEOLATE® BIO 5010 is used in water-based paints, inks and textile coatings.
• Recommended dosage level is 0.5-5% (thickener solids weight) on total system weight.
• It has a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture.

Vesmody® U300E by Wanhua Chemical is a nonionic urethane rheology modifier and suitable thickening agent for waterborne painting systems.

• It exhibits high-shear viscosity thickening efficiency, excellent flow & leveling, outstanding water and alkali resistance.
• Recommended for architectural, industrial & wood coating as well as water-based ink.
• Vesmody® U300E is ultra-low VOC & ultra-low odor grade and free of APEO, tin compound and organic solvent.
• The recommended use level is 0.1-3.0% by weight of the formulation in its supplied form.

RHEOLATE® 185 by Elementis is an APEO- and solvent-free rheological additive for low to mid-shear viscosity build and shear thinning. It is a cost-effective, alkali-soluble associative thickener specially designed to replace cellulosic thickeners.

• It can be used either as a primary or as a co-thickener in water-based coatings and inks.
• It offers excellent leveling, better applied hide, less spattering and resistance to mud-cracking in thick films typically seen in high build coatings, while maintaining the in-can feel of paint based on cellulosic thickener.
• RHEOLATE® 185 is supplied as a low-viscosity liquid, providing ease of addition and incorporation in paints.
• It resists microbial spoilage which enhances long-term paint stability without loss in viscosity.
• It also prevents hard settling upon dilution.
• It is used in plasters and waterborne finishes based on different latex systems.
• The recommended dosage level is 0.5-2% as delivered on total system weight.
• It has a shelf life of 2 years.

RHEOLATE® 425 by Elementis acts as an economical and versatile rheological additive (thickener) for waterborne systems. It is NPE-free, hydrophobically modified alkali swellable emulsion. It provides high thickening efficiency in medium shear rate range and very good balance between sag resistance and leveling properties.

• It gives high shear rate viscosity and great brush drag.
• It offers thixotropic rheology, package viscosity, anti-settling properties, excellent spray properties, good block resistance and compatibility with clay-based, cellulosic and associative thickeners.
• It reduces syneresis, spattering during roller application and early blistering in acrylic systems.
• It improves roller application hiding power & freeze/thaw stability and maintains good levels.
• RHEOLATE® 425 is used for applications like gloss, semi-gloss and matt latex paints, industrial coatings, vinyl chloride emulsions, water-reducible/polyester, epoxy, acrylics, urethanes and others, and inks.
• It has a shelf life of 2 years.

RHEOLATE® 255 by Elementis is a polyurethane based associative thickener. Designed for use in conventional latex systems. Provides high thickening effect in the medium-shear range.

• It improves medium-shear range viscosity and flow/levelling, offers easy incorporation and enzyme-resistance, enhances film build.
• It develops pH-independent rheology and allows broad formulating flexibility.
• It shows good compatibility with BENTONE EW, BENTONE LT and other rheological additives.
• RHEOLATE® 255 is used for applications like gloss and satin-gloss latex paints, latex paints for interior and exterior applications based on pure acrylic or copolymer binders.
• It has a shelf life of 2 years.

Coapur™ 817 W distributed by DKSH is a pure HEUR associative polyurethane thickener. It can be used sole or in combination with other polyurethane thickeners or with other types of rheology modifiers such as acrylic or cellulosic thickeners.

• It increases specifically viscosities at medium and high shear rates in order to improve tool load.
• It is APEO-free, heavy metal-free, solvent-free, and resistant to bacteria.
• It offers excellent compatibility, easy handling, and is ready to use with post-addition capabilities.
• It ensures storage stability through viscosity control, maintains in-can appearance, and resists settling and syneresis.
• In application, it provides spatter resistance, good brushability, film build, and rollability.
• The resulting film exhibits excellent rub-out, leveling properties, as well as anticorrosion and chemical resistance.
• Coapur™ 817 W is used in architectural coating, graphic arts, industrial coatings, traffic paint, textile and leather coatings.
• Recommended dosage level is 0.1-0.6% for sole thickener in semi-gloss and satin dispersion paints, 0.3-1% for sole thickener in one-coat matt dispersion paints and 0.05-0.4% as combined with a low shear effective thickener in high PVC matt dispersion paints.
• It has a shelf life of 1 year.
• It is available in Canada.