Borchers Rheological Additives
for waterborne coating systems
Borchi® Gel
Additives with a thickening effect have a significant influence on the shelf life and application properties of liquid coating systems and
have always been an important component in the formulation of coatings. Even during coating production, they improve the introduction
of energy into the mill base and thus optimize dispersibility (Fig. 1). At the same time, rheological additives improve shelf life by reducing
the tendency settling and separation of the coating formulation. Without adequate rheological control, these systems very often show
syneresis effects (Fig. 2).
Fig.1: Mill base for a coating Fig. 2: Syneresis in an emulsion coating
In the industrial application of such systems, rheological additives ensure optimal flow and leveling properties combined with minimum
sagging tendency. Inappropriate rheological control might be the reason for building so-called curtains or runners that will strongly
impact the quality of the resulting film (Figs. 3a/3b).
Fig. 3a: Spraying varnish for industrial coatings showing ‘curtains’ Fig. 3b: Waterborne emulsion coating with ‘runners’
Without suitable thickeners introducing a sufficient coherence despite the high mechanical stresses (so-called high shear thickeners),
coating particles are very easily flung away from the brush or roller due to centrifugal forces. This significantly increases the spattering
tendency (Fig. 4a) of the coating. The viscosity setting of a liquid phase affected by high shear forces plays a decisive part in film
formation, hiding power, spattering (see above), brush and roll resistance. When brushing or rolling, for example, good results can only
be achieved if the viscosity of the applied coating remains high even at a high shear rate (brush drag). If the brush drag is inadequate,
a considerable proportion of the coating material applied to the surface is pushed along in front of the brush or roller without sticking to
the substrate (Fig. 4b). This results in poor coverage, uneven application and poor leveling. The phenomenon of edge marks (Fig. 4c)
and wetting defects may also be due to inappropriate rheology of the applied system.
Fig. 4a: Roller-coated coating without adequate Fig. 4b: Brush-applied emulsion coating with Fig. 4c: Inadequate edge coverage with a white
high shear thickener inadequate brush drag coating on a metal substrate
Inadequate rheological control in the production of coatings can lead to a significant reduction in quality. Especially when changing over
from solvent-based formulations to waterborne alternatives, the selection of a suitable rheological additive is essential. Apart from
cellulosics and acrylic thickeners – to mention only the most common pseudoplastic thickeners for waterborne systems – associative
thickeners also play an important part. In terms of their structure, associative thickeners are polymer compounds with hydrophilic and
hydrophobic segments, which, because of their segmented structure, are able to form fairly stable associates with each other and/or
with the other components of the coating formulation (binder, pigment, filler particles etc.). By modifying the chemical structure, it is
basically possible to vary the stability of the associates and thus the rheological properties of a coating system.
The most important associative thickeners are produced on a polyurethane basis. Unlike cellulosics or polyacrylic thickeners, these
polyurethane thickeners affect neither the water sensitivity nor the light fastness of a formulation and, depending on the type, provide
pseudoplastic or newtonian flow properties. The large number of commercially available binders with different properties does, however,
make it difficult to select the most suitable polyurethane thickener. It is therefore important to have a sufficiently wide range of suitable
products available, with the aid of which any desired rheological profile can be achieved, either individually or in combination. It is a
question of carefully considering which rheological additives are suitable in what quantity for the particular application without adversely
affecting other properties.
Viscosity [Pa*s]
THIX 921 / PN / NA
0620 / 0621 / A LA Shear segment
LW 44, PW 25, Low Shear
L 75N, L 76
0625, 0626
Medium Shear
0435
0434
High Shear
(“newtonian“)
Shear rate [s-1]
Modern waterborne coating systems are formulated as "low-VOC" or "VOC-free" (VOC = volatile organic compound), which means that
the rheological additives must comply with the strict, modern-day requirements on environmental compatibility. In addition to the already
known problems with VOCs, there has been much debate for some time now on the usability of some glycol derivatives (e.g. ethylene
glycol, butyl glycol) and certain emulsifier types (e.g. APEOs = alkylphenol ethoxylates). In the USA, for example, a large number of
glycol ethers are regarded as HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants), which are known or suspected to cause serious health damage. Their
use is restricted by thresholds under the "Clean Air Act" (in the revised version of 1990).
This kind of critical substances should be avoided in today's polyurethane thickeners without compromising the products' technical
properties. The latest generation of associative thickeners from Borchers meets these requirements, containing no VOCs, HAPs, APEOs,
glycols and organic tin compounds. These products allow the specific modification of the rheology of a coating system so that it can be
tailored to the particular application conditions. Product properties such as vertical flow, leveling, gloss, film thickness, covering power,
spattering tendency, brush and roll resistance, sedimentation tendency and pigment stabilization can be specifically optimized. In most
cases, only small quantities of between 0.1 and 0.4 % thickener, calculated on the overall formulation, are sufficient. In addition, such
additives also have an influence on the properties of the coating after its application, for example on adhesion and elasticity and on the
resistance to soiling, abrasion, water and corrosion. With a modular associative thickener system from Borchers, rheology problems have
become a subject of the past.
Products at a glance
The Borchi® Gel product group comprises polyurethane based thickeners which work associatively through the formation of a non-
covalent network and non-associative thickeners as well. Therefore the natural paint characteristics (e.g. stability) will be improved as
well as application properties (e.g. leveling, anti-sag, hiding power, spatter resistance). Depending on their efficacy in the referring shear
segment, the products can be divided into groups of low shear (Brookfield), mid shear (KU) and high shear (ICI) thickeners.
Product Distinguishing properties
Shear thinning HEUR thickener for the viscosity adjustment in the low shear segment; particular
Borchi® Gel 0620 suitable for industrial and decorative varnishes which are applied via spray gun or dip application;
together with a Newtonian thickener it’s suitable for brush and roll application, too.
Shear thinning HEUR thickener; VOC free for the viscosity adjustment in the low shear segment;
Borchi® Gel 0621 particular suitable for industrial and decorative varnishes which are applied via spray gun or dip
application; together with a Newtonian thickener it’s suitable for brush and roll application, too.
Borchi® Gel Shear thinning HEUR thickener; thixotropic behaviour in many binders, highly efficient in low shear
range, preventing settling of pigments and sagging; ideal flow behaviour for spray application; in a
THIX 921
blend with newtonian thickener also suitable for brush and roll application
Borchi® Gel A LA Shear thinning, non associative ASE thickener, highly efficient at pH > 8, 10% in water.
Shear thinning thickener; thixotropic behaviour in many binder systems; highly efficient in low shear
Borchi® Gel PN range, preventing sagging and settling; may be added stand alone or in combination with Newtonian
thickeners.
Borchi® Gel NA
Borchi® Gel PN: organic Zirconium complex; neutralized with ammonia
Borchi® Gel NA: organic Zirconium complex; neutralized with sodium hydroxide; low odor
Borchi® Gel PW 25 Shear thinning HEUR thickener; 25% PU in water/propylene glycol; emulsifier-free and DBTL-free;
especially effective in the low shear range.
Borchi® Gel LW 44 Shear thinning HEUR thickener; 24% PU; 46% solids; especially effective in the low shear range;
promotes pigment wetting; DBTL-free and VOC-free.
Borchi® Gel 0625 Universal HEUR thickener with well-balanced efficiency in medium and high shear range; 25% PU;
34% solids; APEO-free, HAP's-free, VOC-free and tin-free; for universal application
Universal HEUR thickener with well-balanced efficiency even in medium and high shear range; 25%
Borchi® Gel L 75 N PU; 50% solids; for universal application; promotes pigment wetting and pigment stabilization, DBTL-
free and VOC- free
Universal HEUR thickener for all kind of waterborne systems; high compatibility and efficacy in the
Borchi® Gel L 76 low and mid shear (KU) segment; good price-performance ratio; provides good leveling in latex
paints, DBTL-free and VOC- free
Borchi® Gel 0626 Universal HEUR thickener with good efficiency in high shear range; 25% PU; 37% solids; APEO-
free, HAP's-free, VOC-free and tin-free; for universal applications
Borchi® Gel 0434 Strong newtonian high shear thickener (HEUR); universal use; improves paint stability; displays
strong hue by tinting with pigment concentrates; fulfils highest environmental demands.
Strong newtonian high shear thickener (HEUR); universal use; good color acceptance; improves
Borchi® Gel 1430 spatter resistance; paint stability and hiding power. Solvent-free; HAP´s-free, surfactant-free and tin-
free
Newtonian high shear thickener (HEUR) for all kind of waterborne coatings, clear or pigmented;
Borchi® Gel 0435 especially suitable in high gloss resin binders with small particle size as well as in waterborne
decorative paints, high compatibility with most resin binders, extremely economical.
Characteristic Field of Application
VOC-free VOC-free
Active- Rheological UV-
Catalyst Stabilizer according to according to Architectural Decorative Industrial Adhesives
substance [%] Profile Systems
1999/13/EC 2004/42/EC
Borchi® Gel 0620 appr. 40 Tin-free APE-free Shear thinning - - + ++ ++ ++ +
Borchi® Gel 0621 appr. 20 Tin-free APE-free Shear thinning + + + ++ ++ ++ +
Borchi® Gel THIX 921 Shear thinning
appr. 25 Tin-free APE-free
thixotropic - - ++ ++ ++ + +
Borchi® Gel A LA appr. 10 Tin-free APE-free Shear thinning - - + + ++ + ++
Borchi® Gel PN / NA Shear thinning
appr. 10 Tin-free APE-free
thixotropic + + ++ ++ + + +
DBTL-
Borchi® Gel PW 25 appr. 25
free
APE-free Shear thinning - - + ++ ++ ++ +
DBTL-
Borchi® Gel LW 44 appr. 25
free
APE-free Shear thinning + + + ++ ++ ++ +
Borchi® Gel 0625 appr. 25 Tin-free APE-free Universal + + ++ ++ + + ++
DBTL-
Borchi® Gel L 75 N appr. 25
free
APE-free Universal + + ++ ++ + + ++
DBTL-
Borchi® Gel L 76 appr. 25
free
APE-free Universal + + ++ + + + ++
Borchi® Gel 0626 appr. 25 Tin-free APE-free Universal + + ++ ++ + + ++
Strong
Borchi® Gel 0434 appr. 20 Tin-free APE-free
Newtonian + + ++ + + ++ ++
Strong
Borchi® Gel 1430 appr. 20 Tin-free APE-free
Newtonian + + ++ + + ++ ++
Borchi® Gel 0435 appr. 30 Tin-free APE-free Newtonian + - + ++ ++ + +
++ particularly suitable + possible field of application
Borchers GmbH
Berghausener Straße 100
40764 Langenfeld
Germany
Telephone:+ (0) 21 73/39 26-666
Fax:+ (0) 21 73/39 26-999
Internet: [Link]
E-mail: info@[Link]
OMG Borchers GmbH
Postfach 40 04 06
40244 Langenfeld
Germany
April 2017
This information and our technical advice - whether verbal, in writing or by way of trials - are given in good faith but without warranty,
and this also applies where proprietary rights of third parties are involved trademarks included. Our advice does not release you from
the obligation to verify the information currently provided - especially that contained in our safety data and technical informations sheets
-and to test our products as to their suitability for the intended processes and uses. The application, use and processing of our products
and the products manufactured by you on the basis of our technical advice are beyond our control and, therefore, entirely your own
responsibility. Our products are sold in accordance with the current version of our General Conditions of Sale and Delivery.
