UCAR POLYPHOBE Modifiers

UCAR™ POLYPHOBE™ technology offers a new class of alkali-soluble thickeners and rheology modifiers that give cosolvent-free, low viscosity liquid delivery, premium performance, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional thickeners and rheology modifiers. Developed to help formulators meet current and future formulating challenges, these products have a wide range of rheology and thickening efficiencies, enabling formulators to customize rheological properties.

Because they are water-thin emulsions, UCAR POLYPHOBE products can be bulk stored, pumped throughout a plant, and easily metered into batch production. In addition, when supplied in drums, raw material loss is minimized because of the products' low viscosity and ease of handling. When added in the grind phase, they also effectively function as polymeric dispersants and may replace some of the conventional dispersant in formulations.

Their excellent film forming characteristics and inherent compatibility with nearly all latex binders result in higher gloss, reduced dirt pickup on exterior exposure, stain resistance, and improved cleanability.

Within the family of UCAR POLYPHOBE products, the flow-leveling characteristics of premium urethanes or those of conventional cellulosics can be matched, including anything in between. The brush-drag and resultant film-build properties of virtually all thickener types can also be duplicated with ease. Some UCAR POLYPHOBE products are even designed to match the suspension and low flow characteristics of clay thickeners to provide anti-settling and anti-sag properties.

Wide formulating latitude is obtained from the new UCAR POLYPHOBE Tailored Rheology™ Series. This series of three products represents the latest advance in rheological performance, economy, and high solids. Like other UCAR POLYPHOBE thickeners, the Tailored Rheology Series is composed of low viscosity emulsions for ease of incorporation and rapid viscosity development. Used individually or in combination, they can match the rheological performance of nearly all thickener types for product consolidation. New patented stabilization technology allows these products to be supplied at the highest current emulsions solids level (40%) in the industry.

The latest generation in the family of UCAR POLYPHOBE products is the UCAR POLYPHOBE Tint Series. This series of two products was designed to minimize viscosity drop in paints that are tinted in stores. These products are particularly effective relative to conventional associative thickeners in deep bases where significant amounts of colorant are added to the paint. The Tint Series is also supplied at the higher 40% solids level.

Like other associative thickeners, UCAR POLYPHOBE products are not usually direct drop-in replacements for other thickeners. They have to be formulated with care given to the selection of dispersants and surfactants. However, this offers significant opportunities for formulators in both interior and exterior architectural and industrial formulations to reduce formulating cost without sacrificing performance.

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