VISCOGEL ED2

VISCOGEL ED2 is a thixotropic additive that shows ease of dispersion properties and can be added directly before grounding. 
VISCOGEL ED2 is No pre-activation required. 

VISCOGEL ED2 is mainly applicable to oil-based low to medium high polar systems. 
VISCOGEL ED2 is thixotropic and anti-sagging, which means VISCOGEL ED2 has no influence on leveling. 

VISCOGEL ED2 shows great anti-settlement effects for long term storage of various pigment powders.
VISCOGEL ED2 is a new high performing, highly effective rheological additive for solvent-borne systems of moderate to high polarity. 

That properties of VISCOGEL ED2 provides thixotropic effect, sag control, excellent levelling and prevents pigments from long-term storage settling. 
The nature of VISCOGEL ED2 is a highly purified bentonite clay, organically modified with a quaternary alkylammonium compound. 
Unlike most of the other conventional organoclays, VISCOGEL ED2 is self-activating and easily dispersible, hence simple and convenient to use. 

VISCOGEL ED2 organoclays are rheological additives that provide thixotropy: ie thickening, anti-settling and anti-sagging properties within solvent based systems. 

In particular VISCOGEL ED2 give:
Good pigment anti-settling, which allows homogeneous pigment dispersion and distribution.
Good leveling and coating thickness properties to the formulation.

Right thixotropic properties to solvent-based systems by delivering the proper viscosity control during the manufacture, storage and application processes.
Good temperature stability.

Very easy to incorporate in the formulation, they do not require heating or special equipment.
These properties depend on the effective dispersion of VISCOGEL ED2 and the polarity of the formulation.

Incorporation of VISCOGEL ED2:
VISCOGEL ED2 belongs to the unconventional type of organoclays group, being an easy-to-disperse, selfactivating, organobentonite. 
VISCOGELED2 does not require neither strong mechanical energy to disperse nor a chemical (polar) activator to reach the proper level of delamination of the organobentonite platelet stacks.

VISCOGEL ED2 can be added at any point in the paint manufacturing process and can be even used in post-addition to correct the final viscosity of a certain batch.
Low temperature might be a cause of slow dispersion if VISCOGEL ED2 is added under low shear.

VISCOGEL ED2 does not need to be pregelled to develop VISCOGEL ED2 full rheological properties. 
If however a pregel is convenient to be produced of VISCOGEL ED2, this won’t show the same high viscosity of aconventional organoclay activated gel.
VISCOGEL ED2 is not effective as a gellant in a solvent alone, but VISCOGEL ED2 provides the same rheological properties when added to the complete system. 

VISCOGEL ED2 is rheological additives which in solvent-based paints provide anti-settling and anti-staining properties guaranteeing a homogeneous distribution of the pigments, a remarkable qualitative stability during the storage and application phase. 
The use of VISCOGEL ED2 is simple and does not require heating or special equipment.
VISCOGEL ED2 conventional grade needs additional shear for full gel development and should be included in the pigment dispersion step.

Applications of VISCOGEL ED2:
VISCOGEL ED2is used in a wide range of manufacturing processes for anticorrosive paints, antifouling paints, industrial finishes, foundry mould paints, printing inks, cosmetics, adhesives and mastics to give the desired rheological control to the system. 
VISCOGEL ED2 provides superior anti-settling anti anti-sagging and VISCOGEL ED2 shows also a very high dispersibility. 
VISCOGEL ED2 shows particularly good performance in solvents like aromatics, cellosolve, acetates, ketones, glycols and alcohols and resins like epoxies, nitrocellulose, polyacrylates, polesters, polyurethanes and polyvinyls.

Benefits With Paints of VISCOGEL ED2:

VISCOGEL ED2 can greatly enhance the rheological properties of the paint system as:
Pigment settling and prevention sagging on vertical surfaces to ensure the proper thickness of the coating is applied,
Good leveling for the removal of brush marks,
Storage stability even at high temperatures,
Water resistance,
Structure reinforcement with no adverse,      
Effectonadhesionandsolventrelease,
Gloss minimally affected due to the low levels of addition.

Benefits with Printing Inks of VISCOGEL ED2:

With a correct application, VISCOGEL ED2 is possible to:
Adjust the consistency of printing inks to the desired values,
Avoid pigment sedimentation,
Provide good colour distribution,
Obtaindesiredfilmthickness,
Reduce in misting, control of tack, water pickup and dot gain control.

Dosage of VISCOGEL ED2:
Level of addition strongly depends on the type of system and on the degree of thickening or other properties desired. 
For house and industrial paints, typical levels are between 0.2 % and 0.8 % of VISCOGEL ED2. 

For primers and printing inks, higher levels are required (0.5-1.0 %). 
For strong antisagging properties, up to 3.0 % can be used.
Compared to other products of its type VISCOGEL ED2 is also proved to be more versatile in terms of compatibility to a wide range of formulations.

Safety of VISCOGEL ED2:

Conditions to Avoid: 
Material is stable under normal temperatures. 

Materials to Avoid:
Do not store near or allow contact with oxidising materials or materials such as peroxides that can be decomposed by dusts. 

Hazardous Decomposition:

Products:
Nitrogen and carbon oxides may be released on combustion. 

Toxicology Information of VISCOGEL ED2:

Ingestion: 
Material is orally non toxic. 
LC50 rat >5000 mg/kg

Eye Contact: 
Moderately Irritant.

Skin Contact: 
Possible drying of skin.

Inhalation: 
LC 50 on rats for inhalation - >200mg/l 

Hazards Identification of VISCOGEL ED2:

Skin Contact:
VISCOGEL ED2 may cause skin dryness. 

Eye Contact:
VISCOGEL ED2 may cause soreness of the eyes due to dust particles. 

Inhalation:
Mucus membranes may be affected. 

Ingestion:
May cause gastric irritation in some individuals.

First Aid Measures of VISCOGEL ED2:

Skin Contact:
Remove from skin using plenty of water and soap. 

Eye Contact:
Irrigate with water or eyewash until irritation has ceased. 
If irritation or pain persists seek medical attention. 

Inhalation:
Remove person to fresh air.
Seek medical attention if shortness of breath or irritation persists. 

Ingestion:
If large amounts are ingested seek medical attention. 

Fire-Fighting Measures of VISCOGEL ED2:
The use of water mist, foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguishers is recommended.
Atmospheric dusts of greater than 60g/m3 may ignite at 3700C.
On combustion, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide may be released VISCOGEL ED2 can cause slipping when wet. 

Accidental Release Measures of VISCOGEL ED2:
Wear recommended protective clothing.
For large spills wet with water to reduce dusting and sweep up and dispose off in accordance with Local Regulations.

VISCOGEL ED2 is slippery when wet and may cause a secondary hazard.
If vacuum system is used the system must be explosion protected. 
All sources of ignition and static electricity must be removed or grounding precautions taken if large amounts of airborne dust are present. 

Handling of VISCOGEL ED2:
VISCOGEL ED2 should only be handled in well-ventilated areas using methods that minimise dust generation. 
Dust should not be allowed to accumulate on surfaces to avoid explosion hazards.

Ground equipment in order to prevent any electrical/static discharges.
Adequate ventilation must be provided at the usage site. 
Recommended dust masks/respirators must be used when dust levels are above the Occupational Exposure Limit

Storage of VISCOGEL ED2:
Pallets should be stored in dry conditioned protected from all adverse weather conditions. 
VISCOGEL ED2 should not be stored in areas that have materials that maybe affected by dusts. 

Avoid ignition, all heat sources and open fires. 
Do not deteriorate in a significant way in a 36 months period. 
Storage is advisable in a dry, sheltered place in closed bags.  

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection of VISCOGEL ED2:

Hand Protection:
Use PVC or rubber gloves

Skin Protection:
Normal workwear

Eye Protection:
Use safety glasses or chemical goggles to prevent particles entering the eye 

Respiratory Protection:
Air purifying respirator required if dust levels exceed the Occupational Exposure Limit. 

Occupational Exposure Limit of VISCOGEL ED2:
The OEL defined for VISCOGEL ED2 is for dust with an 8 hr TWA for Total inhalable dust of 10 mg/m3 and 5 mg/m3 for respirable dust. 
VISCOGEL ED2 contains quartz and in the UK is subject to a mandatory maximum exposure limit of 0.3 mg/m3 respirable quartz on 8 hour time weighted average. 
Dust extraction systems should operate if these limits are exceeded.

Physical and Chemical Properties of VISCOGEL ED2:
Appearance: Pale cream powder
Odour: Odourless
pH: N/A
Vapour Pressure: N/A
Boiling Point: N/A 
Melting Point: Decomposes at approx 200°C
Flash Point: N/A
Specific Gravity: 0.45 – 0.55 g/ml 
Flammability: Dust clouds containing more than 50g/m3 may ignite at 370°C
Explosive Properties: Lower explosives limit in air 60g/m3  
Oxidising Properties: None 
Solubility: Insoluble in water. 

Other VISCOGEL Range:
VISCOGEL B4
VISCOGEL ED
VISCOGEL ED2
VISCOGEL S7
VISCOGEL S8
VISCOGEL X4
VISCOGEL X7
VISCOGEL XD
VISCOGEL XD2
VISCOGEL XDS