About High-polarity Attapulgite Rheology Modifier
Our high-polarity rheology modifier is an attapulgite grade developed for adhesives, sealants and other systems based on polar liquids or containing high levels of dissolved salts. It provides non-slump body, suspension of fillers and controlled thixotropy in formulations where swelling clays and many polymeric thickeners struggle.
Polar media such as water, glycols, alcohols and water-reducible resins, and electrolyte-rich liquids such as fertiliser solutions, interfere with thickeners that depend on swelling or on polymer chain extension. Attapulgite is far less sensitive because its structure comes from a physical network of needles. Once dispersed under high shear, the grade builds a stable gel that keeps fillers suspended in the pail and lets beads of sealant hold their profile in vertical joints. Shear from a caulking gun, pump or spreader thins the product temporarily, so it extrudes and spreads easily before recovering.
This grade is typically used at higher loadings than coatings grades, and is available as powder and, on request, as pre-activated gel or liquid dispersion for plants without high-shear mixing. Obsidian Minerals tests every batch in our NABL-accredited laboratory and supplies it with a CoA, Technical Data Sheet and MSDS/SDS. For agricultural suspensions, customers should verify suitability with their own storage and handling trials before scale-up.
Typical specifications
| Parameter | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Free moisture (105 °C) | ≤ 14 % | Internal method |
| Residue greater than 75 µm | ≤ 2.0 % | Wet sieve, internal method |
| pH (5 % slurry) | 7.5–9.5 | Internal method |
| Loose bulk density | 0.35–0.55 g/cm³ | Internal method |
| Recommended loading | 1.0–3.0 % on total formulation | — |
| Appearance | Cream to light tan powder | Visual |
Typical values for guidance. Guaranteed limits are stated on the Technical Data Sheet and batch CoA. Loading and gel strength depend on the polarity and electrolyte content of the system.
Key features & benefits
Salt and electrolyte tolerance
The high-polarity rheology modifier keeps building structure in liquids with high dissolved salt content, where swelling clays fail to hydrate and many polymer thickeners lose much of their viscosity.
Non-slump sealant body
Rapid structure recovery lets sealant and caulk beads hold their shape in vertical and overhead joints, while remaining easy to gun and tool during application.
Filler suspension in storage
The needle gel keeps calcium carbonate, silica and other fillers evenly distributed in pails and cartridges, reducing separation and the need for remixing on site.
Choice of delivery forms
Supplied as powder for plants with high-shear dispersion equipment, and on request as pre-activated gel or liquid dispersion for sites limited to low-shear mixing or needing post-addition.
Applications
Water-based adhesives
Provides body, consistent working properties and filler suspension in water-based construction, flooring and tile adhesives, helping control slump and sliding when adhesive is trowelled onto vertical surfaces.
Sealants and caulks
Gives non-slump consistency and storage stability to water-based and other polar sealant and caulk formulations used in building expansion joints, perimeter sealing around frames and general glazing work.
Suspension fertilisers
Used as a suspending agent in high-salt suspension fertilisers, keeping undissolved nutrients evenly distributed so the product can be stored, pumped and applied uniformly, subject to the customer's own trials.
Glycol and alcohol-based systems
Builds thixotropic structure in glycol, alcohol and other polar solvent blends used in specialty coatings, cleaning compounds and industrial pastes, where many organoclays perform poorly without careful activation.
Usage & handling
- Typical loading is 1.0–3.0 % by weight on the total formulation; suspension fertilisers and heavily filled sealants may sit toward the upper end.
- Disperse the powder in the liquid phase under high shear before adding fillers, allowing time for the gel to develop fully.
- Where only low-shear mixing is available, use the pre-activated gel or liquid dispersion form.
- Store powder dry and use opened bags promptly to keep moisture content consistent.
Packaging & supply
- 25 kg or 50 kg HDPE or paper bags
- 1 MT or 1.2 MT FIBC jumbo bags for adhesive, sealant and fertiliser plants
- Gel and liquid dispersion forms packed to agreed requirements on request
Frequently asked questions
What does a high-polarity rheology modifier do in a sealant?
It gives the sealant non-slump body so beads stay in place in vertical joints, keeps fillers suspended during storage and lets the product thin under the shear of a caulking gun. Attapulgite does this through a physical needle network that is tolerant of polar liquids and dissolved salts, which can weaken other thickener types.
Why is attapulgite used in suspension fertilisers?
Suspension fertilisers are saturated with dissolved salts, which prevent bentonite from swelling and reduce the efficiency of many polymers. Attapulgite builds viscosity mechanically, so it can keep undissolved nutrients suspended in these high-salt liquids. Customers should verify suitability and loading with storage and application trials using their own nutrient blend.
Can the high-polarity grade be added without high-shear mixing?
The powder needs high shear to separate the needle bundles and develop full gel strength. If your plant has only paddle or planetary mixers, choose the pre-activated gel or liquid dispersion form, which is supplied already dispersed. Alternatively, prepare a concentrated gel in a separate high-shear vessel and add it to the main batch.
What loading of the high-polarity grade is typical in adhesives?
Water-based adhesives typically use around 1 to 2 % by weight, while heavily filled sealants and caulks may need up to about 3 %. The level depends on filler content, required slump resistance and other thickeners in the system. A ladder trial measuring slump, extrusion rate and storage stability will identify the right level.