ARGIMEL® B7

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 Rheological additive for moderate to high polarity solvent-borne systems

Industrial Additives Division Coatings

General Information

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 is a rheological additive for moderate to high polarity solvent-borne systems. It gives thixotropic effect, sag control, excellent leveling, and prevents pigments from long-term storage settling. The nature of LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 is a purified bentonite clay organically modified with a quaternary alkylammonium compound.

Table 1. Chemical-physical properties

Composition: Organically modified smectite
Physical form: White fine powder
Bulk density: 0.4-0.6 g/mL
Moisture: ≤ 3%

Applications

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 is used in a wide range of manufacturing processes to give the desired rheological control to the system:

Anti-corrosive paints
Industrial finishes
Anti-fouling paints
Printing inks
Cosmetics
Adhesives

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 provides anti-settling and anti-sagging properties in high polarity systems such as aromatics, Cellosolve™ acetates, ketones, glycols, alcohols, and resins like epoxies, nitrocellulose, polyacrylates, unsaturated polyesters, polyurethanes.

Incorporation

LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 requires high shear forces and a chemical (polar) activator to reach the proper level of delamination of the organo-bentonite platelets. 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%

Incorporation Methods

Direct addition technique: LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 powder is added directly to the solvent/resin mix before pigment addition and milling. Surfactants must be added last.
Pre-gel technique: LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 is added in a suitable solvent at a 5-10% concentration together with a polar activator. Higher activated pre-gel concentrations (15-20%) can be obtained with suitable dispersing agents.

Dosage

Dosage depends on the system and the degree of thickening required. In paints and industrial finishes, typical levels are between 0.2% and 0.6% of LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7. For primers and printing inks, higher levels (0.5-1.0%) are required. Up to 3.0% can be used for strong anti-sagging properties.

Storage Stability and Packing

Product does not deteriorate significantly in 3 years. LAVIOSA ARGIMEL® B7 should be stored in a dry sheltered place in original closed bags. Packing is available in 25 kg net paper bags.

Rev 02 September 2022

Information given in this bulletin is based on the state of our knowledge at the date of publication and are believed to be accurate but do not constitute any engagement or warranty from our part. Buyers and users should make their own assessments under their own conditions and for their own requirements. Information may be changed without any notice. For mandatory characteristics and performance please refer to our Sale Specifications.