Associative alkali-swellable thickeners

The subject of surfactant-modified, water-soluble polymers, briefly discussed in Water-Soluble Polymers, is addressed in the last three sections (Chapters 16-28) of this book. These associative thickeners are covered in detail, ranging from the maleic acid copolymers of variable compositions introduced in various commercial markets in the early 1960s to the most recent entries (that is, in the open literature), hydrophobe-modified poly (acrylamide). Chapter 23 is complementary to the spectroscopic studies in Chapters 13-15 it explores new approaches to understanding associations in aqueous media. The three hydrophobe-modified polymers that have gained commercial acceptance in the 1980s, (hydroxyethyl)cellulose, eth-oxylate urethanes, and alkali-swellable emulsions, are discussed in detail. In particular, hydrophobe-modified (hydroxyethyl)cellulose, which is... 

The two associative thickeners examined in the remainder of this text whose synthesis has not been discussed are hydrophobe-modified alkali-swellable emulsions (HASE) discussed in Chapters 25, 27, and 28, and hydrophobe-modified (hydroxyethyl)cellulose (HMHEC, discussed in Chapters 17, 18, and 27). HASE thickeners, by far the lowest cost hydrophobe-modified thickeners produced, should have achieved the largest market share on the basis of cost of production, but this situation does not appear to be the case (discussed in Chapter 28) in large part because of the poor properties observed with the lowest cost latex, vinyl acetate, used to form the continuous film. The applied-film properties 46) of vinyl acetate can be substantially improved through the use of HEUR polymers. HMHEC, synthesized by a matured (30-year-old) commercial slurry process (47) has achieved commercial acceptance, in large part because of linear high shear rate viscosities achieved in blends with HEUR thickeners (Chapter 27). 

The AST process receiving the greatest industrial and academic attention by far has been that of emulsion polymerization, and because of the relative importance of the emulsion thickeners, these polymers will be the object of considerable discussion in this review. When conventional ASTs are specifically prepared by this process, alkali-swellable or alkali-soluble emulsions (ASE) are obtained. For conventional ASTs produced by processes other than emulsion polymerization (nonemulsion), the acronym ASNE has been adopted herein. The associative ASTs have analogous designations. HASE is the common acronym for hydrophobically modified, alkali-swellable or alkali-soluble emulsion, and HASNE is the adopted acronym for the associative nonemulsion thickeners. The family of AST polymers reflecting this classification scheme is shown in Figure 2. 

X HE RELATIVE COST OF MANUFACTURING hydrophobically modified, water-soluble polymers is the primary determinant in their market acceptance. The lowest-cost associative thickeners used in coating formulations are hydrophobically modified, alkali-swellable emulsions (HASE). The extensive history leading to the development of this technology is reviewed in the preceding chapter their utilization and limitations are discussed in Chapters 27 and 28. 

Chem. Descrip. Acrylic alkali-swellable associative thickener Uses Thickener in interior flat paints, textiles Featiaes Provides low cost/high performance alternative to traditional cellulosic thickeners provides outstanding resist, to roller spattering, better film build and leveling alkali-sol. 

No.25,12th Dec.2000, p.9329-39 DIFFUSION OF MODEL HYDROPHOBIC ALKALI-SWELLABLE EMULSION ASSOCIATIVE THICKENERS... 

Shay G, Bassett D, Rex JD. A new class of alkali-swellable associative thickeners. J Oil Colour Chem Assoc 1993 76 446-453. 

Associative acrylic thickeners are also known as hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable emulsions (EASE). Chemically, they are copolymers composed of three blocks ... 

Thickeners can be classified in several w s, according to whether they are organic or inorganic, soluble or swellable, naturally derived or completdy synthetic, nonionic or anionic (watn soluble or alkali soluble) atKl associative or non-associative. 

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