SNF has extended its technology of the water-soluble polymers to develop and manufacture a variety of specialty polycarboxylates. The FLOSPERSE dispersant product line contains both homopolymers as well as specialty copolymers of different compositions and various levels of molecular weights (2,000 to 100,000). The properties of these specialty copolymers can be engineered by properly selecting the monomers and their relative compositions and through choice and control of the polymerization process. SNF provides both liquid and solid grades of polymer to meet the many different application needs: aqueous solutions of various concentrations and pH, as well as micro beads solid form.

Key applications

Antiscalants
Anti-scalants for a number of inorganic scales in many different environments The formation of inorganic scales (e.g. CaCO3, CaSO4, BaSO4) especially at metal surfaces, is a frequent problem with water used in industrial systems such as boilers, cooling towers, mining and mineral processing (e.g. heap leaching) and oil fields.

Deflocculants
Dispersants (deflocculants) to reduce bulk viscosity of high-solid slurries and to maintain stability of finely-divided particle dispersion.
Many industrial products and processes require that solids be mixed in a finely divided state within a liquid medium (water or mixtures of water and water-miscible solvents). These dispersions must be stable for a required period of time prior to or during their use. FLOSPERSE specialty polycar-boxylates are a series of dispersants that will provide this stability to a dispersion and at a low dosage. The properties of FLOSPERSE polycarboxylates, when properly designed (polymer compositions and molecular weight), will allow them to adsorb efficiently onto a solid substrate (finely dispersed particles). The particles having FLOSPERSE™ adsorbed on them will be maintained in a stable dispersion state through a complex and system-dependent mechanism involving electrostatic repulsion, steric hindrance or a combination of the two (electrosterical effect).

FLOSPERSE products, in sodium salt form, are efficient dispersants for:

•  Clay slurries (kaolin)
•  Titanium dioxide
•  Calcium carbonate
•  Pigment suspensions.
•  Drilling Fluids in Oil & Gas production
•  Ore-in-Water Slurries (Iron, Gold, ...)
•  Water-Based Paints
•  High performance Ceramics

Detergent and Cleaning Formulations
FLOSPERSE polycarboxylates are water-soluble polymers designed to enhance the performance of many different household, industrial and institutional detergents.
Dispersants are generally used as a cobuilder.
Effects are mainly:

•  Crystal growth inhibition
•  Dispersion of precipitates in cleaning bath
•  Improvement of bleach stability in chlorinated formulations
•  Avoid redeposition on fabrics and hard surface

Copolymers advantages:

•  Better for low and non phosphate formulations
•  Superior processing aid in the production of powder detergents
•  Very high dispersants properties (CaCO3 and calcium binding test)

They are also used as wet grinding additives in the process of ground calcium carbonate in Paper Coating and as Latex Compounding for use in carpet backings and textile coatings. They also act as protective colloids to provide a desired particle size distribution in a latex polymerization.
FLOSET products are used as superplasticizers/retarders in concrete and gypsum cements for the Construction Industry. Details on these products and their use can be obtained upon request from our sales offices.