Product Information

Personal Care
Dow Corning® RM 2051
Thickening Agent
FEATURES & BENEFITS Thickening and emulsifying polymer in dimethicone
• Multifunctional product:
thickening and emulsifying INCI NAME: Sodium Polyacrylate (and) Dimethicone (and)
• Ready to use for controlling the Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Trideceth-6 (and) PEG/PPG 18/18
rheology of aqueous formulations Dimethicone
• Silicone carrier provides instant
perception of improved aesthetics
• Ease of formulation/cold APPLICATIONS
processing Can be used in a wide range of personal care applications:
• Gives smooth, nongreasy and • Skin care
nonsticky formulations • Sun care
• Freeze/thaw stable • Color cosmetics
• Leave-in hair conditioners
• Hair styling products

TYPICAL PROPERTIES
Specification Writers: These values are not intended for use in preparing
specifications. Please contact your local Dow Corning sales office or your Global
Dow Corning Connection before writing specifications on this product.

Property Unit Result

Appearance Viscous, opaque liquid; white to
light yellow
Viscosity at 25°C, 1% in water,
(Brookfield RVT, 20 rpm) cP 15,000 to 30,000
Viscosity at 25°C,
(Brookfield LVT, 30 rpm) cP 1,500 to 4,000
Flashpoint °C > 100
pH, 1% in water 5.5 to 6.5
Shelf life at or below 30°C (86°F),
in unopened containers 18 months
Freeze/thaw stability at -30°C (-22°F) Three cycles

DESCRIPTION HOW TO USE

Dow Corning® RM 2051 Thickening Dow Corning RM 2051Thickening
Agent is an inverse (water-in-oil) Agent should be mixed before use.
emulsion of sodium polyacrylate in Oil-in-water emulsions can be
dimethicone. The emulsion contains prepared by adding Dow Corning RM
two surfactants, one to stabilize the 2051 Thickening Agent to the oil
thickening agent and one that helps phase and then mixing with the water
bring the polymer into contact with the phase. The oil phase containing
aqueous phase of the formulation. Dow Corning RM 2051 Thickening
Agent can be added to the water
When the product is added to water, phase, or the water phase can be added
the polymer expands into the water to the oil phase. If the water phase is
phase to thicken and give stability to added to the oil phase, the emulsion
the preparation. As the formulation inverts as the water phase is added,
thickens, the oil phase ingredients are
emulsified and stabilized.
and this can reduce the particle size of the final emulsion. Figure 2: Average viscosity of an aqueous gel versus
Alternatively, Dow Corning RM 2051 Thickening Agent thickening agent content.
can be added after the oil phase and water phase have
been combined. Regardless of which technique is used,
the mixer speed should be increased as the formulation
thickens to maintain good mixing.

The effective pH range of 5.5 to 11 (Figure 1) allows the

use of Dow Corning RM 2051 Thickening Agent in a
variety of personal care formulations. The recommended
addition level is 2 to 6%.

Dow Corning RM 2051 Thickening Agent can emulsify

and stabilize silicone and organic oil phases. The level of
oil that can be emulsified depends on the level of the
thickening agent (Figure 2), which will determine final
viscosity and stability. For example, the thickening agent
can typically emulsify from 20% to 50% oil, depending
on its type. It can be used with high solvent content (30%
ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or acetone, 50% glycerin or Figure 3: Viscosity of an aqueous gel containing 5%
propylene glycol). Thickening efficiency is reduced in the thickening agent versus sodium chloride
presence of electrolytes (Figure 3). concentration.

The material has a noticeable shear-thinning effect. Its

higher viscosity at low shear translates to maximum
emulsion stability, while viscosity drop with shear allows
the product to be easily dispensed and spread onto the
skin or hair (Figure 4).

Figure 1: Viscosity of an aqueous gel containing 5%

thickening agent versus pH.

Figure 4: Rheological profile based on two levels of

thickening agent.

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Dow Corning is a registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation.

We help you invent the future is a trademark of Dow Corning Corporation.
2013, July 3 XIAMETER is a registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation.
Form No. 27-1182D-01 © 2008 - 2013 Dow Corning Corporation. All rights reserved.
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