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Rheology modifiers in paints and coatings are thickener additives that improve rheological properties in water-based coating systems, adhesives, and sealants.

When mixing formulations, rheology modifiers can improve viscosity and flow properties during the dispensing and pumping phases. During in-can storage, they help coatings prevent separation, sedimentation, and syneresis. These additives also promote excellent body and consistency when applying paints, coatings, and adhesives. During film formation, rheology additives can improve flow, leveling, and blending, ensuring optimal finish quality.

To enhance rheology performance, a coating formulator must choose the right rheology additive for their paint formulation. Borchers offers various types of rheology modifiers for paint under our Borchi^® Gel product line. Explore our full range of rheology modifiers here.

 

Rheology modifiers include: 

•  Associative Hydrophobically modified Ethoxylated Urethane copolymer (HEUR) thickeners
  • Excellent for balancing flow, leveling, and sag resistance in paints.

•  Acrylic alkali swellable emulsion (ASE) thickeners
  • Efficient storage stability and viscosity for adhesives, sealants, and emulsions.

•  Non-associative zirconium complex thickeners
  • Offer strong shear thinning and thixotropy.

 

We strive to produce coatings rheology additives that are free of dibutyltin dilaurate, APEO, and aromatic isocyanates, supporting regulatory compliance and safety. Additives are available for low, medium, and high shear rates. 

This blog will highlight several options to help you pick the best rheology modifier. Below, we outline the key types of rheology modifiers in paints and how to select the best option for your formulation.

 

HEUR rheology additives

HEUR (Hydrophobically Modified Ethoxylated Urethane) rheology modifiers are widely used in paints for their excellent balance of flow, leveling, and sag resistance. Borchers offers HEUR rheology modifiers for

• low shear
• medium shear
• and high shear ranges

 

Low Shear HEUR rheology modifiers for spray applications 

Low shear rheology modifiers help paint spread easily and prevent dripping. They can also prevent the paint from settling when not in use. These solutions are particularly effective in spray applications. 

• Borchi Gel 0620 is an emulsifier-free additive. This solution brings about excellent sag prevention, low impact on water sensitivity, anti-settling efficiency, and good storage stability. 
• Borchi Gel 0621 is a solvent-free additive that is excellent for sag resistance. It has a low impact on water sensitivity. It can reduce syneresis and separation in unstable systems. Additionally, Borchi Gel 0621 provides good color, gloss, and storage stability. 
• Borchi Gel THIX 921 is an additive that helps prevent foam stabilization, improve flow, increase film thickness, and prevent sagging. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medium Shear HEUR rheology modifiers for spray, brush, and roller applications

Medium shear HEUR rheology modifiers are pseudoplastic additives for a variety of paint applications. 

• Borchi Gel PW 25 is an emulsifier-free thickener. It has excellent thickening properties in many fine particle dispersion binders. It promotes longer open times than normal because of its high capacity for water retention. 
• Borchi Gel L 75 N helps improve color and wetting properties. 

When formulators use Borchi Gel L 75 with the Borchi Gel PN zirconium complex thickener, they can increase hiding power.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Shear HEUR rheology modifiers for brush and roller applications

Borchi Gel high shear HEUR rheology modifiers are VOC- and tin-free Newtonian additives. These additives can provide excellent ICI and KU viscosities, brush and roller application, and good film builds. 

• Borchi Gel 0434 promotes high-quality separation suppression in unstable systems, color acceptance, leveling, brush drag, and emulsifying properties. 
• Borchi Gel 0435 is a highly effective Newtonian thickener that can enhance flow properties, hiding power, and leveling. 

Both Borchi Gel 0434 and Borchi Gel 0435 impart strong water resistance. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASE Rheology Additives

Borchi Gel A LA is a strong pseudoplastic thickener for the low shear range. This tin-free solution is similar to an ASE thickener but pre-neutralized. Amines are not needed when using Borchi Gel A LA, helping save a step in the formulation process. Performance benefits include enhanced storage stability and ideal viscosity. 

Borchi Gel A LA is a great solution for adhesives, sealants, and emulsions. 

 

 

 

New rheology additives include:

• Borchi Gel 0800: cost-effective thickener
• Borchi Gel 0802: lower viscosity, methanol-free thickener

 

These new options expand choices for paint formulators seeking specific product attributes.

 

 

 

 

Zirconium Complex Rheology Additives

Borchi Gel PN and Borchi Gel NA are VOC- and tin-free zirconium complex thickeners for the low shear range. These pseudoplastic rheology modifiers provide strong shear thinning and excellent thixotropic effect for good flow, leveling, and application. They provide the ability to create a dosage-dependent gel structure. 

• Borchi Gel PN is a biocide-free additive that is neutralized with ammonia. This solution brings about increased viscosity, long-term stability, and reduced separation and syneresis. Borchi Gel PN prevents viscosity drop when adding universal colorants. It can provide excellent performance when used with high-molecular-weight dispersants.  
• Borchi Gel NA is a low-odor thickener neutralized by sodium hydroxide. This rheology additive provides similar benefits to Borchi Gel PN. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion 

Borchi Gel rheology modifiers from Borchers help enhance rheology profiles in water-based systems. A rheology modifier in paints can improve viscosity stability, hiding power, ease of application, and settling prevention in your formulations. For expert guidance on selecting rheology modifiers in paints, contact Borchers or visit our technical resources page. 

 

 

 

Borchers offers many choices for rheology additives to meet your specific formulation needs. 

For more information, please contact us here. 

To access technical data sheets, please visit our rheology modifier page.