Benathix Plus Organically modified smectite clay Elementis Rheology Modifiers / Thickeners >> Organoclay Polyesters ADHESIVE BENATHIX Plus additive is an organically - modified smectite clay developed to impart thixotropy and drainage control to unsaturated polyester resin systems. BENATHIX Plus is a direct, pound-forpound substitute for fumed silica to be added directly to the unsaturated polyester resin. BENATHIX Plus can also be used via a styrene premix for added efficiency. Applications laminating resins tub and shower surrounds gel coats automotive body filler cost-effective alternative to fumed silica manufacturing versatility use directly as a powder or a styrene premix excellent drainage control, even at lower viscosity and thixotropic index improved resistance to settling and syneresis better glass wetting properties easier handling than fumed silica higher filler loading no synergist required Incorporation Direct add method: BENATHIX Plus additive is uniquely designed to be incorporated into an unsaturated polyester laminating resin system by direct addition. Simply add BENATHIX Plus powder directly to the polyester resin and process in the same manner as fumed silica, using high shear mixers or pumps, sonic mixers or equivalent processing methods. Styrene premix concentrate method: BENATHIX Plus can also be incorporated by making a styrene premix, for added efficiency. Premixing requires only low shear mixing action, not intensive shearing. The optimum premix concentration range of BENATHIX Plus in styrene is 3% - 6%, based on our laboratory tests using a typical laminating resin at 56% solids. Preparation of the BENATHIX Plus premix and incorporation of the premix into the resin are best done at low shear. High shear mixing during either premix preparation or premix incorporation will lower the finished resin viscosity. Air entrapment can be minimized by mechanical means. Should foam still be encountered, defoamers known to work effectively with organoclays include DAPRO® S-65 (non-silicone) at 500 ppm, Dow Corning 200 (1000 centistokes grade at 50 ppm) and BYK-A 515 (non-silicone) at 500 ppm. Recommended Levels of Use Use levels range from 0.5% to 1% in the total formulation. The level of BENATHIX Plus additive to be used depends on the specific polyester resin, and on the degree of drainage control, viscosity development and thixotropic index desired. Typical use levels for equivalent performance compared with conventional additives are as follows: BENATHIX Plus, used as a direct addition dry powder, replaces fumed silica pound-for-pound. BENATHIX Plus, used as a premix, reduces thickener use up to 25% compared to fumed silica with ethylene glycol. BENATHIX Plus, used as a styrene premix, reduces thickener use up to 40% compared to conventional organoclays. Production / Laboratory guidelines Incorporation of BENATHIX Plus as a dry powder requires high shear mixing as with fumed silica. Cobalt based promoters are recommended in place of calcium, potassium, or lithium based promoters. Unlike fumed silica, ethylene glycol and glycerol should not be used as viscosity synergists with BENATHIX Plus. Other viscosity synergists should be tested to verify performance. BENATHIX Plus is used in a wide variety of resin chemistries, including orthophthalic, isophthalic and dicyclopentadiene based systems as well as the difficult-to-thicken vinyl ester resins. Rheological developed to impart thixotropy and drainage control to unsaturated polyester resin systems. Provides manufacturing versatility , good drainage control, improved resistance to settling and syneresis, good glass wetting properties, high filler loading. No synergist required. Use level: 0.5% - 1% in the total formulation.