Attapulgite Overview

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Chemical Properties

A Colloidal Hydrated Magnesium AluminoSilicate

(Mg,Al)5Si8O20.4H2O

OXIDE
SiO2
Al2O3
MgO
Fe2O3
CaO

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%
TYPICAL
65.2
11.9
10.8
3.5
6.2

Physical Properties

Crystalline, acicular shape

Particle size (0.1 m to 8/16 mesh)

High surface area (100 to 150m2/g)

Aspect Ratio - 20 to 25:1

Electrostatic attraction to form a gel structure

Highly sorptive

Light cream color

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Attagel Compared to
Bentonite and Sepiolite
Attagel
Principal Mineral Attapulgite

Bentonite
Sodium Montmorillonite

Crystal Structure Chain

Particle Shape

Lath-like

Effect of Salts

Little or none

3-Layer Structure
Flake

Sepiolite
Ribbon
Lath-like

Loss of Gel Structure Little or none

Method of
Thickening

Electrostatic
colloidal network

Lattice Spacing
Impurities
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Sepiolite

Swelling

Electrostatic

Narrow

N/A

Wide

Low

N/A

Variable

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Commercial Uses of Fine Grind Gel Grade Attapulgites in

Aqueous Systems

Tape Joint Compounds

Spackles & Grouts
Latex Paints
Wood Adhesives
Coal-Water Slurries
Stabilizer for Agricultural Suspensions/Emulsions
Binder for Molecular Sieve Absorbents
Applications where less abrasion is required
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Commercial Uses of Fine Grind Gel Grade Attapulgites in

Organic Systems

Oil Paints
Hot Melt Asphalts
Asphalt Cutback Coatings
Naphtha Core & Mold Washes
Coal-Oil Slurries
Caulks & Glazing Compounds
Petroleum Oil & Ester Greases
PVC Plastisol Thickening
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Dispersion
Optimum dispersion in the liquid system is critical
Under-dispersion is caused by low shear or
insufficient mixing time
Shear rather than speed is the critical limiting factor
High speed under high shear reduces thickening time
In aqueous systems, the presence of dispersants such
as TSPP (tetrasodium pyrophosphate) reduces
viscosity due to enhanced dispersion

Pre-Gelling recommended if adding to a low shear system

(Pre-Gelling = making a high solids (15-20%) dispersion
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of Attagel)

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Schematic of Attagel Thickening

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Effect of Mixing Speed on

10% Attagel Dispersion

CPS @ 100 RPM

Brookfield Viscosity,

10000
1000

100
10
1

10

5
1700
FPM

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3000
FPM

15

20

Mixing Time, Minutes

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Types of Aqueous Systems

Thickened by Attagels

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Architectural Latex Paints

Attagel 40/50

Cosmetics

Attagel 50

Liquid Dishwashing Detergent

Attagel 50

Flexographic Inks

Attagel 50

Adhesives

Attagel 40

Block Fillers

Attagel 40

Tape Joint Compounds

Attagel 30
Attagel 25

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Attagel Loading Needed for Various

Applications
Application

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%Attagel by Weight

Soft Settle, Suspension

0.1-0.5

Latex Paint, Flexo Ink, Shampoo,

Hair Conditioner

0.5-1.0

Adhesive, Polish

1.0-1.5

Cinder Block Surfacer, Caulk

2.0-2.5

Tape Joint Compound, Liquid

Dishwashing Detergent

2.0-3.0

Latex Texture Paint

3.0-5.0
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Co-Thickening
Attagels are not usually used alone
In paints, Attagels are used in combination with
Cellulosics and Associatives
Use no less than 0.25% of Cellulosic to maintain
freeze-thaw stability and build viscosity
As a general rule, for each part of Cellulosic
or Associative removed, add 4-5 parts of Attagel
If livering occurs, replace HEC with HPMC, reduce
the amount of Attagel, or add a dispersant
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Thickening Organic Liquids

with Attagels
Organic Liquids are Organophilic (hydrophobic)
Attagels are Hydrophilic (organophobic)
Because of polarity differences, surfactant is usually
required
Cationic surfactants work best (e.g. PA-14 Acetate)
Determining optimum Attagel/Surfactant ratio is critical
Type and amount of surfactant depends on liquid
Higher speed, higher shear agitation needed compared
to aqueous systems
Low speed equipment makes pre-gelling desirable
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Interaction of Surfactant with

Attapulgite in Organic Liquid

Organic
Liquid
Phase

+
+

Attapulgite Particle

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Attagel 50 Loading Required for

Thickening Organic Liquids

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Suspension

0.5-3.0%

Sag Control

2.0-6.0%

Thickening

2.0-8.0%

Gelling

5.0-15.0%

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Gel Grade Products

Powders

Attagel 40: Water based systems only

Attagel 36: Asphalt market only

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Attagel 50:Premium Product, water & solvent

systems

Attagel 30: Tape Joint Compounds and general

applications
Attagel 25: Tape Joint Compounds

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65 PVC Trade Sales Flat Paint

Formulation
Raw Material

Control

Attagel 50

236.0

236.0

Nuocept 95

1.0

1.0

Natrosol 250 HBR

4.0

3.0

Ethylene Glycol

5.0

5.0

Water

30

30

Tamol 731

4.0

4.0

Triton N101

1.5

1.5

AMP 95

0.5

0.5

Drawplus L 475

0.5

0.5

TiO2 -R 900

62.5

62.5

Mattex

75.0

75.0

CaCO3 - 5
microns

62.5

62.5

Attagel 50

0.0

5.0

Ucar 379

62.5

62.5

Texanol

6.0

6.0

Drewplus L 475

2.0

2.0

Water

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65 PVC Trade Sales Flat Paint Properties

Properties

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Control

Attagel 40

KU Viscosity

92

92

Paint pH

8.9

8.9

C. Ratio 3
mils

98.0

98.2

Reflectance

92.0

91.8

Whiteness

51.5

51.1

Yellowness
Index

2.3

2.5

CIE L

97.4

97.5

CIE A

-0.8

-0.8

CIE B

1.5

1.7

Tint Strength

53.5

53.7

60 degree
Gloss

2.1

2.1

85 degree
Sheen

2.7

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2.6

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Spatter Resistance Improvement With Attagel

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23 PVC Acrylic Semi Gloss Enamel

Raw Material

Control

Attagel 50

Water

17.8

17.8

Kathon LX

2.0

2.0

Tamol SG 1

8.0

8.0

Igepal 639A

2.0

2.0

Propylene Glycol

65.0

65.0

Acrysol RM 825

0.5

0.5

BYK-022

1.0

1.0

TiO2 - R 706

225

225

Attagel 50

0.0

6.0

160.4

160.4

1.0

1.0

Rhoplex SG-20M

489.2

489.2

Texanol

24.5

24.5

Acrysol RM
2020

20.0

15.0

Colloid 640

2.0

2.0

Water
Ammonia

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Syneresis Reduction Using Attagel

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Sag Resistance without Attagel

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Sag Resistance with Attagel

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Conclusions
Attagels is more than a thixotrope
Attagel 50 is very effective in reducing syneresis,
improves spatter resistance and also improves pigment
suspension
It is bacteria and enzyme resistant
It is easy to use
It is suitable for both solvent and aqueous systems
It is a cost-effective rheology modifier

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