Benathix organically modified smectite clay Elementis Rheology Modifiers / Thickeners >> Organoclay Polyesters ADHESIVE BENATHIX additive is an extremely efficient, organically modified smectite clay developed to impart thixotropy and drainage control to unsaturated polyester resin systems. Unlike conventional organoclays or fumed silica thixotropes, BENATHIX additive does not require high-shear mixing equipment. BENATHIX is mixed into styrene, after which the resin and other ingredients are added. BENATHIX additive is a specially designed thickener for unsaturated polyester resins applications: laminating resins tub and shower gel coats automotive body filler BENATHIX rheological additive: cost-effective alternative to fumed silica and other organophilic clays easy to disperse - allows rapid incorporation into styrene with low-shear mixers provides consistent, stable viscosity imparts excellent drainage control, even at low viscosity and thixotropic indices offers fast viscosity recovery rate after spray-out or roll-out improves resistance to settling and syneresis produces better glass-wetting properties allows increased filler loading gives minimal gel-time drift Incorporation BENATHIX is first added to the styrene. Good turbulent mixing of the BENATHIX and styrene, prior to the addition of the resin, is sufficient to get optimal performance. Our laboratory tests, using a typical laminating resin at 56% solids, indicate that the optimum concentration of BENATHIX in styrene is 6%. Incorporation of BENATHIX in styrene does not require high shear forces. Although high shear incorporation also gives good results, low-speed stirring is enough. Mixing with the resin should take place at the lowest possible speed to avoid air entrapment. Levels of Use The level of BENATHIX additive to be used depends on the specific polyester resin and on the degree of viscosity development and drainage control desired. Typical use levels, for equivalent performance, compared with conventional additives are as follows: 40% less BENATHIX additive than conventional organoclay 35% less BENATHIX additive than fumed silica 20% less BENATHIX additive than fumed silica/ethylene glycol. Production/laboratory guidelines Do’s Use cobalt based promoters Bottom feed resins and mixtures into tanks Select tank volume so that agitator is well below the surface Use highest possible shear without foam formation to mix the resin into the BENATHIX/styrene mixture. Turbulent low shear is the minimum requirement Use defoamers when needed Do not’s Do not use Ca, K, Li promoters, ethylene glycol, TPSC or glycerol Do not use wetting agents Rheological developed to impart thixotropy and drainage control to unsaturated polyester resin systems. Does not require high-shear mixing equipment. Provides consistent, stable viscosity. Imparts good drainage control. Improves resistance to settling and syneresis. Allows increased filler loading. Gives minimal gel-time drift.