BENATHIX®

Rheological Additive for Unsaturated Polyester Laminating Resins

GENERAL INFORMATION INCORPORATION

BENATHIX rheological additive is an extremely BENATHIX rheological additive is first added to the
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efficient, organically modified smectite clay styrene. Good turbulent mixing of the BENATHIX
developed to impart thixotropy and drainage control and styrene, prior to the addition of the resin, is
to unsaturated polyester laminating resins and gel sufficient to get an optimal performance.
coats.
Our laboratory tests, using a typical laminating resin
Unlike conventional organoclays or fumed silica
at 56 % solids, indicate that the optimum
thixotropes, BENATHIX rheological additive does not
require high-shear mixing equipment. BENATHIX concentration of BENATHIX in styrene is 6 %.
rheological additive is mixed into styrene, after which Incorporation of BENATHIX in styrene does not
the resin and other ingredients are added. require high shear forces. Although high shear
incorporation also gives good results, low-speed
CHEMICAL & PHYSICAL PROPERTIES stirring is enough. Mixing with the resin should take
organically modified smectite
place at the lowest possible speed to avoid air
Composition entrapment.
clay
very light cream, finely Post-production correction
Colour/ Form
divided powder Adapting the viscosity of a batch is possible with a
Specific gravity 1.74 6% BENATHIX-in-styrene mix. HOWEVER, care
Apparent density 0.15 g/cm³ must be taken to avoid reducing the resins solids
These are typical properties not to be used for specification excessively.
purposes.
LEVELS OF USE
APPLICATIONS The level of BENATHIX rheological additive to be
used depends on the specific polyester resin and on
 BENATHIX rheological additive is a specially the degree of viscosity development and drainage
designed thickener for unsaturated polyester control desired. Typical use levels range from 0.5%
resins in structural applications. to 1.0% by weight in most formulations. Typical use
levels, for equivalent performance, compared with
KEY PROPERTIES conventional additives are as follows:
 Is a cost-effective alternative to fumed silica and 40 % less BENATHIX required compared with a than
other organophilic clays conventional organoclay
 Is easy to disperse 35 % less BENATHIX required compared with fumed
 Allows rapid incorporation into styrene with silica
low-shear mixers 20 % less BENATHIX required compared with fumed
 Provides consistent, stable viscosity and silica/ethylene glycol
thixotropic index
 Imparts excellent drainage control, even at low
viscosity and thixotropic indices
 Offers fast viscosity recovery rate after spray-out
or roll-out
 Improves resistance to settling and syneresis
 Produces better glass-wetting properties
 Is easier to handle than fumed silica
 Allows increased filler loadings
 Offers good clarity in cured resins
 Gives minimal gel-time drift

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 BENATHIX®

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Before using this product please consult our Safety
Data Sheet (SDS) for information on safe handling
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and storage. The SDS can be found on the company

website.

STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
Store in a cool, dry location.
BENATHIX rheological additive does not absorb
significant quantities of moisture when stored over
long periods which means you get predictable
performance over time in your polyester systems.

SHELF LIFE
BENATHIX has a shelf life of 4 (four) years from date
of manufacture.

QUALITY ASSURANCE
Since 1992 the company is a holder of the ISO 9001
/ ISO 9002 certificates, which guarantees that all
operations are conducted according to the stipulated
standards.

NOTE: The information herein is currently believed to be accurate. We do not guarantee its accuracy. Purchasers shall not rely on statements herein when
purchasing any products. Purchasers should make their own investigations to determine if such products are suitable for a particular use. The products
discussed are sold without warranty, express or implied, including a warranty of merchantability and fitness for use. Purchasers will be subject to a separate
agreement which will not incorporate this document.
© Copyright 2018, Elementis Specialties, Inc. All rights reserved. Copying and/or downloading of this document or information therein for republication is not
allowed unless prior written agreement is obtained from Elementis Specialties, Inc.
® Trademark of Elementis Specialties, Inc. V01 Jul 2018

North America Europe Asia

Elementis Specialties, Inc. Elementis UK Ltd. Deuchem (Shanghai) Chemical Co., Ltd.
469 Old Trenton Road c/o Elementis GmbH 99, Lianyang Road
East Windsor Stolberger Strasse 370 Songjiang Industrial Zone
NJ 08512, USA 50933 Cologne, Germany Shanghai, China 201613
Tel.: +1 609 443 2500 Tel.: +49 221 2923 2066 Tel.: +86 21 5774 0348
Fax: +1 609 443 2422 Fax: +49 221 2923 2011 Fax: +86 21 5774 3563

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