ARGIMEL® B4

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4 Rheological Additive for Low to Medium Polarity Solvent-Borne Systems

Industrial Additives Division Coatings

General Information

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4 is a rheological additive for solvent-borne systems of low to medium polarity that gives thixotropic effect, sag control, excellent leveling, and prevents pigments from long-term storage settling. The nature of LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4 is a bentonite clay organically modified with a quaternary alkylammonium compound.

Table 1. Chemical-physical properties

Properties
Composition: Organically modified smectite
Physical form: White pale cream powder
Bulk density: 0.4-0.6 g/mL
Specific gravity (H2O): 1.7-1.8
Moisture: ≤ 3%

Applications

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4 is used in a wide range of manufacturing processes including oil-based paints (either industrial or architectural), marking paints, road marking paints, printing inks, lubricating greases, adhesives, and cosmetics and personal care products. It shows particularly good performance in solvents like aliphatic mineral spirits and aromatics.

Incorporation

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4 requires high shear forces applied and a chemical (polar) activator to reach the proper level of delamination of the organo-bentonite platelets. While heat is not essential in most cases, processing temperatures above 20°C are preferred. Suitable polar activators are low molecular weight species.

Table 2. Activators’ dosage (based on Laviosa ARGIMEL® weight)

Polar activator:
Acetone/H2O (95:5): 60%
Methanol/H2O (95:5): 33%
Ethanol/H2O (95:5): 50%
Propylene Carbonate: 33%
Propylene Carbonate/H2O (95:5): 33%

It is recommended to empirically determine the proper level of addition because either defect or excess of chemical activator would result in a non-optimal rheology development.

Incorporation Methods

Direct addition technique: LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4 powder is added directly to the solvent/resin mix before pigment addition and milling. It is advisable to allow the organoclay to wet and disperse at first and to add the polar activator before or after the pigments. Surfactants must be added last.
Pre-gel technique: LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4 is added in a suitable solvent at a 5-10% concentration with a polar activator. The activated gel is then added to the binder solution and stirred. After pigment addition, the mix is finally milled. Higher activated pre-gel concentrations (15-20%) can be obtained with the aid of suitable dispersing agents to be added after full organoclay dispersion.

Dosage

Dosage strongly depends on the system and on the degree of thickening required. In paints and industrial finishes, typical levels are between 0.2% and 0.6% of LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4. For primers and printing inks, higher levels are required (0.5-1.0%). To reach strong anti-sagging properties, up to 3.0% can be used.

Storage Stability and Packing

Product does not deteriorate significantly in 3 years. LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B4 should be stored in a dry sheltered place in original closed bags. Packing is available in 25 kg net paper bags.

Rev 05 September 2022