ACUSOL™ 830 Rheology Modifier and Stabilizer
Description
ACUSOL 830 is an Alkali Soluble acrylic polymer Emulsion (ASE). ACUSOL 830 can be directly incorporated into
formulations without preparation of a separate thickener solution. Viscosity is developed simply by adjusting the
pH on the alkaline side with any base. It is supplied as low viscosity emulsion and therefore is easy to handle.
ACUSOL 830 contains carboxylic groups that immediately swell upon neutralization.
z Floor cleaners
z Window and windscreen cleaners
z Solvent based cleaners
z Paint strippers
z Alcohol and glycerine thickeners
z Lubricant emulsions
z Peroxide based cleaners/sanitizers
z Pigment suspensions
z Antifreeze products
z Liquid laundry detergents
z Silicone emulsions
Features Benefits
Polar solvent compatibility Suitable for stable, viscous formulations containing high levels of polar solvents
(ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, glycerol).
Gel appearance Produces thick and stable fashionable clear formulations.
Salt tolerance Compatible with Ca and Mg. Compatible with up to 7% NaCl. Low sensitivity to
water hardness and to ionic strength of inorganic ingredients.
Liquid Supplied as low viscosity easy to handle liquid emulsion. No predissolution,
declumping or warming required.
Anionic Can be thickened instantaneously with any alkali. Compatible with both nonionic
and anionic surfactants, builders and fillers.
Emulsion technology Water based polymerization. No residual solvents like many typical thickeners. No
residual organic initiators.
Instant neutralization Permits continuous manufacturing process through in-line static mixers.
Shear thinning Permits formulations of detergents that flow readily from the container.
Excellent viscosity stability Formulations exhibit very little viscosity drift and remain stable during challenges
over time of temperature variations.
Better high shear stability Gives greater freedom in order of addition during processing when homogenizers
than typical thickeners are used.
Suspension Ability to suspend visual cues such as air bubbles, particulates, pigments, etc.
Performance Properties
Effect of pH
ACUSOL 830 is an effective thickener/stabilizer over the pH range of 6.5 to 12.5.
Effect of Temperature
The shear thinning effect imparted by ACUSOL 830 is lower than that obtained with ACUSOL 820 and very close to
the cellulosics one. Thickening undergoes a modest decrease throughout a temperature range of 20°C to 75°C,
but will recover viscosity on cooling.
Thickening of Polar Solvents
ACUSOL 830 is the product of choice to thicken and stabilize a variety of alcoholic solutions. The thickening
efficiency of ACUSOL 830 (sodium form) is shown in Table 1, Table 2 and Figure 3. More hydrophobic organic
amines will be appropriate to thicken less polar solvents. ACUSOL 830 is suitable to thicken up to 60% alcohol. To
thicken these high levels of alcohols it is recommended to add approximately one half of the required alkali for
neutralization prior to the addition of alcohol, followed by the balance of the alkali.
The viscosity of glycerin and propylene glycol solutions thickened with ACUSOL 830 is shown in Table 1 and Table
2.
Table 1 - Glycerin
Solvent % Water % ACUSOL 830 1 Month
(% active) Viscosity
100 0 0 700
95 5 0 250
95 5 1.0 42,000
75 25 0 25
75 25 1.0 5,300
50 50 0 10
50 50 0.2 75
50 50 0.5 600
50 50 1.0 2,000
50 50 2.0 7,500
25 75 0 5
25 75 1.0 2,100
Table 2 - Propylene Glycol
Solvent % Water % ACUSOL 830 1 Month
(% active) Viscosity
100 0 0 50
95 5 0 35
95 5 1 200
75 25 0 15
75 25 1 200
50 50 0 10
50 50 0.5 30
50 50 1 800
50 50 2 5,200
Figure 3 shows the thickening efficiency of ACUSOL 830 in various polar solvents. The solvents are at 50%
concentration in water.
Suspension of Particulates
Many difficult to suspend particles and pigments, like red iron oxide (Fe2O3), can be thickened and stabilized with
ACUSOL 830. Even slurries of particulates can be stabilized with ACUSOL 830. Table 3 shows stable kaolin slurries
created with low levels of ACUSOL 830.
Table 3 - Stabilizing of 30% Kaolin Clay Slurry
ACUSOL 830 Viscosity (mPa.s)
(% active) 12 rpm
0.25 1,400
0.50 20,000
0.75 100,000
Effect of Alkalies
ACUSOL 830 can be neutralized and hence activated by a wide range of both inorganic and organic bases. Choice
of the base is dependent upon the intended application, specific ingredients and personal preference. In many
simple detergent systems the choice is often NaOH, KOH or NH4OH. Amines are sometimes preferred, such as TEA
(triethanolamine), DEA (diethanolamine), AMP (aminomethylpropanol), AMPD (aminomethylpropanediol), etc.
For products with high level of organic solvents, such as window cleaners, paint strippers, antifreeze products,
etc., alkanolamines of higher molecular weight or more hydrophobic amines are preferred, such as
tetrahydroxypropylethylene diamine, PEG-15 cocoamine, etc.
The choice of the amine can slightly affect the formulation viscosity as shown below:
Table 4 - ACUSOL 830 Neutralization with Various Bases
1% dry polymer - Brookfield Viscosity (mPa.s) at 12 rpm
pH = 7 pH = 9
NH4OH 3,700 3,200
TEA 5,500 5,500
KOH 3,900 4,300
Typical Physical Properties
These properties are typical but do not constitute specifications.
Appearance Off white milky liquid
Type Alkali swellable thickener
Charge Anionic
Solids, % 28
pH (as supplied) 2.1-3.2
Density 1.05
Viscosity (as supplied) 10 mPa.s/cps
Equivalent weight* 218
*grams of dry polymer neutralized by 1 eq of NaOH
Storage/Handling
This emulsion product as supplied will irreversibly coagulate upon freezing. Keep from freezing.
Toxicology Profile
Overall Evaluation
ACUSOL 830 is considered non-toxic by single oral, dermal and inhalation exposure and no more than slightly
irritating to the eyes. Although this product was considered slightly irritating to rabbits in a dermal LC50 study, it
was found to be non irritating and non sensitizing in humans. ACUSOL 830 is considered non-mutagenic to
bacteria. ACUSOL 830 is considered non-toxic to aquatic organisms, non-toxic to sludge bacteria and moderately
bioeliminable.
Toxicity
Test/Species Results
Toxicity, Acute
Oral LD50 - rat > 5gr/kg - non-toxic
Dermal LD50 - rabbit > 5gr/kg - non-toxic
Skin irritation - rabbit slightly irritating
Eye irritation - rabbit slightly irritating
Inhalation LC50 - 1 hr - rat > 16.3 mg/l - non-toxic
Toxicity, Genetic
Ames test non-mutagenic with and without metabolic
activation in bacterial mutagenicity assay
Toxicity, Sensitization
Human Patch Test (HRIPT) non-irritating and non-sensitizing
Toxicity, Environmental
Algae EC50 - 72 hr > 342 ppm
Daphnia magna LC50 - 96 hr > 1000 mg/l
Fathead Minnow LC50 - 96 hr > 1000 mg/l
Inherent biodegradation non-biodegradable, but moderately
bioeliminable
Activated sludge respiration inhibitor > 100 mg/l
Microtox assay EC50 - 15 min > 300 ppm
Material Safety Data Sheets
MSDS are available for all Rohm and Haas products. These sheets contain pertinent information that you may
need to protect your employees and customers against any known health or safety hazards associated with our
products.
We recommend that you obtain copies of the MSDS from your Rohm and Haas technical representative or from the
sales office nearest to you, before using our products in your facilities. We also suggest that you contact your
suppliers of other materials recommended for use with our products for appropriate health and safety precautions
before using them.
To obtain samples, technical assistance, a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or to have a technical
representative call for an appointment, contact the nearest Rohm and Haas branch office.
ACUSOL is a trademark of Rohm and Haas Company, or of its subsidiaries or affiliates. The Company’s policy is to register its trademarks
where products designated thereby are marketed by the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
These suggestions and data are based on information we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but without guarantee, as
conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control. We recommend that the prospective user determine the suitability of
our materials and suggestions before adopting them on a commercial scale.
Suggestions for uses of our products or the inclusion of descriptive material from patents and the citation of specific patents in this publication
should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any patent or as permission or license to use any patents of
the Rohm and Haas Company.
©Rohm and Haas, 2008 All rights reserved. February 2003
CS-758
