LAPONITE-RDS

Highly shear thinning layered silicate rheological additive for water-borne systems. Used in surface coatings, household products and general and industrial applications. Synergistic benefits when used in combinations with polymer based co-thickeners. Forms low viscosity pre-mixes in water, which thicken on addition to formulations. LAPONITE RDS is a synthetic layered silicate incorporating an inorganic polyphosphate peptiser. It hydrates and swells in water to give clear and colourless colloidal dispersions of low viscosity known as sols. At 10% concentration in water, these will remain free flowing for 24 hours. On addition of small quantities of electrolyte, highly thixotropic gels are formed rapidly. LAPONITE RDS may be utilised as a predispersed liquid concentrate and added to formulations at any point during manufacture. It is used to impart a shear sensitive structure to a wide range of waterborne formulations including household and industrial surface coatings, cleansers, agrochemical and horticultural products. LAPONITE RDS may be coated onto paper or other surfaces from concentrated sols to give smooth, coherent, and electrically conductive films.