Thickener, Rheology Modifier
ADEKA NOL UH-450VF
 
The use of a thickener or viscosity controller has become an important factor in the formulation of synthetic emulsion paints and synthetic emulsion adhesives. Products of the ADEKANOL UH series from ADEKA are widely used as key thickeners/viscosity controllers and, in such use, impart Newtonian viscosity properties to synthetic paints and/or adhesives.
Our thickener ADEKANOL UH-450 has already found long time use in the Japanese market showing an excellent thickening effect, producing Newtonian shear viscosity as well as good pigment compatibility. Consequently ADEKANOL UH-450 finds use in many different applications.
Besides ADEKANOL UH-450, ADEKA has developed UH-450VF as VOC free type of UH-450. In UH-450VF no *VOC and SVOC raw material is used. 

*VOC: Volatile Organic Compound (b.p.= 50-100^oC – 240-260^oC)
SVOC: Semi Volatile Organic Compound (b.p.= 240-260^oC – 380-400^oC)
 
1. Physical properties

	UH-450VF
Appearance	viscous liquid
Active content	30 %
Ionic property	non ionic
Viscosity (25 oC)	23 000 mPa.s

 
2. Characteristics
·        ADEKANOL UH-450VF has excellent thickening effect
·        ADEKA NOL UH series are nonionic, no pH change of the original formulation
·        Compatible with HEC and alkaline-swelling type thickeners
·        Good pigment compatibility
·        Excellent water resistance
·        Viscosity of synthetic paints/adhesives follows leveling properties.
 
3. Addition rate
The suggested addition level is between 0.1 to 1.0% ADEKANOL UH-450VF (solution) based on weight of total formula.
 
4. Evaluation of synthetic emulsion
4.1 Viscosity increase
4.1.1 Testing method
Add adequate amount of ADEKA NOL UH-450VF and stir well. Leave the emulsion to stand overnight at 25 ^oC. The viscosity is measured by a Brookfield viscometer (B8H type, 50, 20, 10, 5 rpm). Viscosity data is plotted in Log-Log graph and the shear viscosity properties are calculated from the shape of plot lines as TI (thixotropic index).
Test formulation   
Synthetic emulsion:                    100 emulsion A for semi-gloss paint
                                                          Defoamer (ADEKA NATE B-940):   0.2
                                                                     Thickener:                                  0 – 1.0 % (as solution)
Test Thickeners:                          ADEKA NOL UH-450VF
                       ADEKA NOL UH-450
                       ADEKA NOL UH-420
                       R-82 (obtained from the market)
 4.1.2 Results
 
 
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
TI

	Solution dosage (wt%)
	0.0	0.2	0.4	1.0
UH-450VF	0.24	0.45	0.45	0.46
UH-450	0.24	0.46	0.45	0.47
UH-420	0.24	0.42	0.37	0.39
R-82	0.24	0.42	0.37	0.39

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
 
 
 
 
 
Fig1. Viscosity increase and TI (evaluation in resin emulsion)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fig 2. Rheological profile (evaluation in resin emulsion)
 
ADEKANOL UH-450VF shows excellent thickening effect and leveling property.
 
5. Evaluation in paint
5.1 Viscosity increase
5.1.1Testing method
ADEKA’s own formulated white paint is used and the same evaluation as above is made.
                                                                                                                 
White paint formulation (wt):
 

Materials	Ratio	Type, Supplier
Water	9.99
Sodium tripolyphosphate	0.5
ADEKA COL W-193	0.5	Dispersing agent (ADEKA)
TiO2	28.67	TCR-10 (Tochem)
ADEKA NATE B-1015	0.40	Defoamer (ADEKA)
Total Pigment paste	40.06

 

Emulsion for semi gloss paint	53.25
Texanol	2.60	CS-12 Chisso petro chem
Propylene glycol	3.80	ADEKA
Ammonia solution (28 %)	0.10
ADEKANATE B-1015	0.19	Defoaming agent
Total	100

 
Test formulation (% wt):               100 % white semi gloss paint
          Thickener:                                    appropriate amount (0-1.0 % as solution)
Test thickeners:                            ADEKA NOL UH-450VF
                                               ADEKA NOL UH-450
                                               ADEKA NOL UH-420
                                               R-82 (obtained from the market)
 
 
5.1.2 Results
 
                                                                        
 
 

	Solution dosage (wt%)
	0.0	0.2	0.4	1.0
UH-450VF	0.37	0.32	0.33	0.31
UH-450	0.37	0.31	0.32	0.31
UH-420	0.37	0.32	0.29	0.29
R-82	0.37	0.32	0.31	0.31

             
　TI
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fig3. Viscosity increase and TI (evaluation in white paint)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fig 4: Rheological profile (evaluation in white paint)
 
ADEKANOL UH-450VF shows leveling flow similar to UH-450 and UH-420.
 
5.2 Pigment compatibility
5.2.1 Testing method
The thickener is stirred into the white paint and then a colored pigment paste is added. After one night at 25^oC the paint is applied on an art-paper and one corner is rubbed with the fingers. After  drying, the color difference is compared between the rubbed area and the un rubbed area.
Test pigment and formulation:
Pigment                 FLTR manufactured by Dainichi Seika (Black paste)
Paint original        100
Thickener         appropriate amount to get 3,000 – 5,000 mPa?s viscosity in the paint
Pigment (black)    4
Test thickener        ADEKA NOL UH-450VF
                              ADEKA NOL UH-450
                              ADEKA NOL UH-540
                              ADEKA NOL UH-420
                              H-4 (typical HEC)
 
5.2.2 Results

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fig 5. Influence on pigment dispersing ability
 
Pigment compatibility of ADEKA NOL UH-450VF is good.