Thickening agent for aqueous systems, formulations containing same and uses thereof
The present invention relates to novel associative thickeners pertaining to the HEUR category (Hydrophobically-modified Ethoxylated URethane), to intermediate aqueous formulations containing such thickeners, and to the final compositions, for example paint, lacquer, varnish or paper coating slip compositions.
1. A water-soluble thickening polyurethane obtained by reacting a mixture comprising:
at least one polyethoxylated alcohol of formula
wherein:
p and q are integers at least one of which is non zero,
p+q=9 and
n is an integer or a decimal number of 25 to 40,
a) at least one poly(alkylene glycol) having a molecular mass of from 2,000 g/mol to 20,000 g/mol and
b) at least one polyisocyanate.
2. The water-soluble thickening polyurethane according to claim 1 , obtained by the condensation of:
a) from 1% to 29% by weight of the at least one polyethoxylated alcohol of formula (III),
b) from 70% to 98% by weight of the at least one poly(alkylene glycol) and
c) from 1% to 29% by weight of the at least one polyisocyanate,
wherein a sum of mass percentages of a), b) and c) is equal to 100%.
3. A method for thickening an aqueous composition, the method comprising:
contacting the aqueous composition with the water-soluble thickening polyurethane of claim 1 ,
wherein the aqueous composition is selected from the group consisting of a lacquer, a varnish, a paint, a putty, a thick coating, a waterproof coating, an ink, a slurry, a paper coating color, a cosmetic composition, and a detergent composition.
4. An aqueous composition, comprising: the water-soluble thickening polyurethane of claim 1
as a levelling agent,
wherein the aqueous composition is selected from the group consisting of a lacquer, a varnish, a paint, a putty, a thick coating, a waterproof coating, an ink, a slurry, a paper coating color, a cosmetic composition, and a detergent composition.
5. An aqueous formulation comprising:
the water-soluble thickening polyurethane according to claim 1 , and
water.
6. The aqueous formulation according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a surface-active agent.
7. The aqueous formulation according to claim 5 , further comprising:
at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a biocide, a solvent, an anti-foaming agent, a pH regulator, a coalescent agent, and an encapsulating agent.
8. The aqueous formulation according to claim 5 , consisting of:
1) from 2% to 50% by weight of the at least one water-soluble thickening polyurethane,
2) from 0.1% to 40% by weight of at least one surface-active agent,
3) from 10% to 93% by weight of water and
4) from 0% to 5% by weight of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a biocide, a solvent, an anti-foaming agent, a pH regulator, a coalescent agent, and an encapsulating agent,
wherein a sum of mass percentages of 1), 2), 3) and 4) is equal to 100%.
9. A method for thickening an aqueous composition, the method comprising:
contacting the aqueous composition with the aqueous formulation of claim 5 ,
wherein the aqueous composition is selected from the group consisting of a lacquer, a varnish, a paint, a putty, a thick coating, a waterproof coating, an ink, a slurry, a paper coating color, a cosmetic composition, and a detergent composition.
10. An aqueous composition, comprising:
the aqueous formulation of claim 5 as a levelling agent,
wherein the aqueous composition is selected from the group consisting of a lacquer, a varnish, a paint, a putty, a thick coating, a waterproof coating, an ink, a slurry, a paper coating color, a cosmetic composition, and a detergent composition.