Stabilisation of

concentrated aqueous pigment

dispersions using Laponite
Laponite is a unique rheological additive which
can improve the performance and appearance of a
wide range of water based formulations
Laponite is a registered trademark of Rockwood Additives Limited. All information here is given in good faith but without warranty or
guarantee of any kind whatsoever, whether implied or expressed. Freedom from patent rights must not be assumed. This leaflet does not form
part of the conditions of sale, is of a general nature and should not be used as the basis of a specification.
Laponite Technical Bulletin L427-06i Stabilisation of concentrated aqueous pigment slurries using Laponite
For more information contact us on: help@laponite.com
iron oxide
titanium dioxide
kaolin and other aluminosilicates
coating colours for paper
carbon black
conductive micas
synthetic organic pigments
calcium carbonate
pearlescent pigments
metallic pigments
tinting pigment pastes
Typical application areas include use of Laponite with:
Introduction
Laponite is a synthetic layered silicate with a structure resembling that of the natural clay
mineral hectorite. It is used as a cost-effective rheological additive in a wide range of
waterborne systems including surface coatings and household and personal care products.
The unsurpassed shear thinning properties of Laponite make it ideally suited for the
stabilisation of water based concentrated pigment slurries and dispersions without causing
excessive increase in viscosity.
As a synthetic product manufactured by a controlled batch process product consistency is
excellent and Laponite is completely free of crystalline silica impurities found in naturally
occurring clays.
Laponite disperses readily in water without the need for high shear mixing to form clear,
colourless, sols or gels. Because it is a wholly inorganic material it is not damaged by microbial
attack and is non-flammable. The viscosity of formulations stabilized by Laponite is not
affected by changes in temperature.
Stabilization of concentrated aqueous pigment slurries using Laponite
Concentrated pigment slurries are used in a wide range of industrial application areas including
surface coatings, paper, textiles, leather, construction and plastics.
The problem of settling of pigment solids in these slurries can be overcome by addition of a
rheology modifier such as a cellulose ether. This will impart anti-settling properties by thickening
a formulation across the shear rate range.
A novel, alternative approach is to use Laponite. At concentrations of, typically, less than 0.2%,
Laponite will develop viscosity at very low shear rates giving excellent anti-settling properties
during storage and transport. This viscosity build developed by Laponite is easily broken down
with a minimum of shear to give readily flowable slurries with improved application properties.
Laponite has been used successfully to stabilise aqueous pigment
concentrates with the following materials:
iron oxide
titanium dioxide
kaolin
tinting pigment pastes
aluminosilicates
carbon black
conductive micas
synthetic organic pigments
calcium carbonate
pearlescent pigments
metallic pigments
-aluminium
-bronze
-zinc
-nickel
-stainless steel etc.
Laponite grades and method of addition
Two grades of Laponite are available for stabilization of pigment slurries.
Laponite RD - a rapidly dispersing gel forming grade which should be added to water at the
beginning of the formulation and allowed to fully hydrate before addition of other ingredients.
Laponite RDS - a rapidly dispersing sol forming grade which can be made into a low viscosity
concentrated stock dispersion at up to 10% solids. Laponite RDS is modified with a
polyphosphate dispersing agent to delay rheological activity until it is added as a dispersion into
the pigment slurry. The unique sol forming properties of Laponite RDS allow it to be used as a
post-additive or corrective thickener and also in water-lean formulations. The stock dispersion
may be prepared in advance and then added to successive production batches of a formulation.
Both Laponite RD and Laponite RDS should be pre-dispersed in water and allowed to fully
hydrate to form clear dispersions before use.



Laponite disperses readily in tap water at ambient temperature. The use of high shear mixers
or chemical dispersants is not required to fully disperse Laponite .
Example starter formulation
60% iron oxide pigment slurry for concrete
Order of addition % weight
water 38.3
Laponite RD 0.1
Dispex N40 1.2
Texanol 0.2
sodium carbonate 0.2
iron oxide pigment 60.0
Procedure
Disperse Laponite RD in water, mixing for 10 mins at 600rpm using a Cowles (sawtooth)
blade. Add Dispex N40, Texanol and Na
2
C0
3
and mix for 5 mins. Then add pigment powder, in-
creasing mixer speed as solids content increases.
Viscosity : 350 cP (Brookfield LV 60rpm)
pH : 10.1
An alternative procedure using Laponite RDS
Prepare the dispersion of pigment with dispersant, coalescent and pH adjustment. Add 1 part
of a 10% solids dispersion of Laponite RDS in water to 99 parts of pigment slurry (w/w).
Mix for 5 minutes.
% Concentration
in premix
Dispersion and
hydration time
Laponite RD 0.25 10 minutes
Laponite RD 2 15 minutes
Laponite RDS 10 40 minutes
example recommended dispersion and hydration times (20c)
Laponite grades and method of addition
Two grades of Laponite are available for stabilization of pigment slurries.
Laponite RD - a rapidly dispersing gel forming grade which should be added to water at the
beginning of the formulation and allowed to fully hydrate before addition of other ingredients.
Laponite RDS - a rapidly dispersing sol forming grade which can be made into a low viscosity
concentrated stock dispersion at up to 10% solids. Laponite RDS is modified with a
polyphosphate dispersing agent to delay rheological activity until it is added as a dispersion into
the pigment slurry. The unique sol forming properties of Laponite RDS allow it to be used as a
post-additive or corrective thickener and also in water-lean formulations. The stock dispersion
may be prepared in advance and then added to successive production batches of a formulation.
Both Laponite RD and Laponite RDS should be pre-dispersed in water and allowed to fully
hydrate to form clear dispersions before use.



Laponite disperses readily in tap water at ambient temperature. The use of high shear mixers
or chemical dispersants is not required to fully disperse Laponite .
Example starter formulation
60% iron oxide pigment slurry for concrete
Order of addition % weight
water 38.3
Laponite RD 0.1
Dispex N40 1.2
Texanol 0.2
sodium carbonate 0.2
iron oxide pigment 60.0
Procedure
Disperse Laponite RD in water, mixing for 10 mins at 600rpm using a Cowles (sawtooth)
blade. Add Dispex N40, Texanol and Na
2
C0
3
and mix for 5 mins. Then add pigment powder, in-
creasing mixer speed as solids content increases.
Viscosity : 350 cP (Brookfield LV 60rpm)
pH : 10.1
An alternative procedure using Laponite RDS
Prepare the dispersion of pigment with dispersant, coalescent and pH adjustment. Add 1 part
of a 10% solids dispersion of Laponite RDS in water to 99 parts of pigment slurry (w/w).
Mix for 5 minutes.
Laponite grades and method of addition
Two grades of Laponite are available for stabilisation of pigment slurries.
Laponite RD - a rapidly dispersing gel forming grade which should be added to water at the
beginning of the formulation and allowed to fully hydrate before addition of other ingredients.
Laponite RDS - a rapidly dispersing sol forming grade which can be made into a low viscosity
concentrated stock dispersion at up to 10% solids. Laponite RDS is modified with a
polyphosphate dispersing agent to delay rheological activity until it is added as a dispersion into
the pigment slurry. The unique sol forming properties of Laponite RDS allow it to be used as a
post-additive or corrective thickener and also in water-lean formulations. The stock dispersion
may be prepared in advance and then added to successive production batches of a formulation.
Both Laponite RD and Laponite RDS should be pre-dispersed in water and allowed to fully
hydrate to form clear dispersions before use.



Laponite disperses readily in tap water at ambient temperature. The use of high shear mixers
or chemical dispersants is not required to fully disperse Laponite.
Example starter formulation
60% iron oxide pigment slurry for concrete
Order of addition % weight
water 38.3
Laponite RD 0.1
Dispex N40 1.2
Texanol 0.2
sodium carbonate 0.2
iron oxide pigment 60.0
Procedure
Disperse Laponite RD in water, mixing for 10 mins at 600rpm using a Cowles (sawtooth) blade.
Add Dispex N40, Texanol and Na
2
C0
3
and mix for 5 mins. Then add pigment powder, increasing
mixer speed as solids content increases.
Viscosity : 350 cP (Brookfield LV 60rpm)
pH : 10.1
An alternative procedure using Laponite RDS
Prepare the dispersion of pigment with dispersant, coalescent and pH adjustment. Add 1 part
of a 10% solids dispersion of Laponite RDS in water to 99 parts of pigment slurry (w/w).
Mix for 5 minutes.
% Concentration
in premix
Dispersion and
hydration time
Laponite RD 0.25 10 minutes
Laponite RD 2 15 minutes
Laponite RDS 10 40 minutes
example recommended dispersion and hydration times (20c)