H.J. Jacob
In home and personal care products, many hydrocolloids are used as thickeners and rheological additives. When mixed into liquids, initially agglomerates are created, which then have to be broken down again through dispersing. However, most of these
polymers are shear sensitive, especially after hydration. Dispersing destroys the gel structure already formed and breaks down the desired viscosity. This problem can be solved with a process that separates the primary particles of the polymer powder before
they get in contact with the liquid, then individually wets and disperses them immediately, thereby hydrating them without agglomerates – using the vacuum-expansions process. It is based on the fact that a powerful vacuum is generated directly in the
liquid. The polymer is therefore added under maximum vacuum. In this way, the polymer particles are dissagglomerated before wetting. No further dispersion is required. Agglomerates are not created. Using the vacuum expansion process, the maximum
effect can be achieved with a reduced concentration of hydrocolloids. Viscosity, thixotropy index, transparency, film formation and wetting behaviour, as well as many other properties this way will achieve a level not possible previously. A subsequent uncontrolled
thickening through inorganic thickeners, such as smectite or other layered mineral silicates is ruled out.
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