Technical Data Sheet

ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier

Hydrophobically modified ethylene oxide urethane (HEUR) high-shear rheology modifier for
latex paints.

Regional EMEA
Product
Availability

Description ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier is a solvent-free*, non-ionic, urethane associative

thickener offering very versatile means of formulating paints with an optimal film build and high
shear viscosity. It is specifically designed for applications where a low odour or low VOC is
required and specific environmental requirements are needed.
However, ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier is also suggested in a wide range of
other paints (flat through high gloss). It can be used either alone or in combination with
thickeners effective in the low shear range to reach the desired balance of flow and sag
resistance. ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier can be used as a sole thickener in
high gloss paints in order to achieve enhanced flow properties.
ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier allows formulating paints with a Newtonian
rheology profile and high film build, combined with excellent water and alkali resistance. The
use of cosolvents for optimising some formulations does not adversely affect the efficiency of
ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier.

Key Features • Excellent film build and applied hiding development

• Excellent flow and levelling
• High and sharp gloss
• Solvent-free* - low odour
• Excellent water and alkali resistance
• Use over a wide pH range
• Resistant to microbial attack
• Ease of handling
* Solvent is not intentionally added and is not knowingly introduced from another raw material.

Typical Properties These are typical properties, not to be construed as specifications

Appearance Hazy liquid
Solids content % ~20
Brookfield Viscosity 2500–3800 cP
Specific gravity (wet polymer) 1.045
Solvent Water
Chemistry HEUR*
* Hydrophobically modified polyethylene oxide urethane

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 Formulations ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier can be applied in a wide range of paint
formulations including environmentally friendly ones with low volatile organic content,
formaldehyde and ammonia-free. It is particularly adapted for the following types of
formulations:

• Solvent-free paints based on self film forming latex binders

• High opacity, high build coatings for exterior mineral substrates where improved hiding
and excellent exterior durability (alkaline and water resistance) are essential.
• For interior wall paints, ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier is compatible with
all types of emulsions, allowing formulations with excellent technical performance as
well as outstanding application properties,
• In gloss paints it is suggested to be used in combination with small particle size
hydrophobic, acrylic gloss binders. The outstanding flow and levelling properties
imparted by ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier, combined with its strong
gloss development, make it ideally suited for these applications.

Formulating Incorporation
Guidelines ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier is supplied as a pourable and pumpable liquid,
free of solvent* and with very low odour. It can be added to the mill-base or
during letdown.

Rheology Profile
ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier imparts a Newtonian rheology profile to a paint.
In gloss and semi-gloss paints this is ideal for giving the excellent flow and levelling properties
required for brush application. For roller application, however, it is suggested to use it in
combination with other thickeners. A more pronounced structure is obtained by adding some
ACRYSOL™ SCT-275 Rheology Modifier, whereas a combination with ACRYSOL™ RM- 845
Rheology Modifier results in a smoother, less structured paint surface.

Dispersing Agents
In most formulations OROTAN™ 731A ER Pigment Dispersant (in matt to sheen paints) and
OROTAN™ 1124 Pigment Dispersant (in semi-gloss paints) have been found to give good
results in systems thickened with ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier.
For high-gloss paints, however, when enamel binders are used, OROTAN™ 681 Pigment
Dispersant is suggested. It shows a superior overall performance and acting like flow modifiers,
gives a greater degree of gloss reproducibility.

Paint pH Control
In some formulations, a high pH can cause polymer swelling. In turn, this can lead to high
viscosity paints and instability. For this reason, paints thickened with ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E
Rheology Modifier are best formulated at around pH 8.0.
In ammonia free, low VOC formulations, it has been proven that potassium tetraphosphate
(KTPP) maintains the pH and therefore improves the stability.

*Solvent is not intentionally added and is not knowingly introduced from another raw material.
Interactive Effects of The rheology modifying mechanism of ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier is
the Paint System primarily associative. Hydrophobic elements of the molecular structure tend to associate
with other hydrophobic elements in the paint. These other hydrophobic elements are mostly
latex binder and opaque polymers. Association with inorganic pigments is less frequent,
but can exist.
In the end, we get a network of associations, modifying the rheological profile of the paint
and giving it the desired flow.
However, associative also means that the rheology of the paint is influenced by a whole
range of elements other than the thickener itself. The following factors have a direct impact
on the efficiency of ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier in latex paints:
• Latex polymer particle size and distribution
• Latex polymer composition
• Surfactants and cosolvents

Latex Polymer Particle Size and Distribution

The primary site for the associative characteristics of a rheology modifier is the surface of the
binder particles. As a consequence, a greater surface area will lead to stronger association.
Greater association leads to an increased efficiency. For a given volume of unimodal latex
binder, a small particle size binder will have a greater total surface area than a larger particle
size binder. Thus, the rheology modifier will work more efficiently with the smaller particle size
binder.
When a binder contains a distribution of particle sizes, the answer is not as clear. Here the
distribution of particle sizes from large to small will determine the associative conditions more
realistically than average particle size.

Latex Polymer Composition

ACRYSOL™ RM-2020 E Rheology Modifier is most efficient with hydrophobic latexes. This
hydrophobicity may vary with the latex composition or the stabilising system.

Surfactants
The hydrophobic nature of surfactants allows them to compete with the associative capacity of
the rheology modifier for the latex polymer surfaces. If the surfactant is able to displace the
rheology modifier, the viscosity that is inherent to the rheology modifier polymer interaction can
be reduced considerably. This means that special attention is needed for the type and amount
of surfactant that is used, and for the combination with the binder. In addition, consideration
must be given to the surfactants introduced with the colorant system. Predispersed colorants
generally contain surfactants for stability and to facilitate colour acceptance. Each colorant may
have a different type and level of surfactant.

Cosolvents
Water insoluble cosolvents, such as UCAR™ Filmer IBT, have little or no effect on the medium
shear viscosity of a paint thickened with an associative thickener. Water soluble cosolvents,
however, may reduce the low shear viscosity.
Products such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol will have the least effect, while butyl
CARBITOL™ Solvent will have the greatest effect among the cosolvents tested to date. As in
the case of surfactants, the level of cosolvent that is introduced with a predispersed colorant
must be accounted for.
One outcome of this cosolvent interaction is the potential to use these products for low shear
viscosity adjustments. This can be done very effectively, but with a cost penalty and a potential
reduction in water resistance due to the water solubility of these products.

®TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow 843-02075-01-0420-DOW
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Handling Precautions Before using this product, consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)/Safety Data
Sheet (SDS) for details on product hazards, recommended handling precautions and
product storage.

Storage Store products in tightly closed original containers at temperatures recommended on the
product label.

Disposal Dispose in accordance with all, local or national regulations. Empty containers may
Considerations contain hazardous residues. This material and its container must be disposed in a safe
and legal manner.

It is the user's responsibility to verify that treatment and disposal procedures comply with
local or national regulations. Contact your Dow Coating Materials Technical
Representative for more information.

Chemical Registration Many countries within EMEAI require the registration of chemicals, either imported or
produced locally, prior to their commercial use. Violation of these regulations may lead to
substantial penalties imposed upon the user, the importer or manufacturer, and/or
cessation of supply. It is in your interests to ensure that all chemicals used by you are
registered. Dow does not supply unregistered products unless permitted under limited
sampling procedures as a precursor to registration.

Note on EMEAI Product availability and grades vary throughout the countries in the EMEAI area. Please
Product Line contact your local Dow Coating Materials representative for further information and
samples.

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