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  • Salt curve query

    Posted by gmt1986 on October 24, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    Hi all, first post here although I’ve been an observer for some time.

    I’ve got a query on the salt curve when thickening formulations.
    Recommendations show having to add up to 2% to thicken solutions.

    We manufacture commercial detergents.
    Recently we have had an issue with our bleach formulation. Its around 12 pH and contains 10% SLES 28% & 10% Sodium Hypochlorite.

    We are having to add around 50kg of salt per 1000ltrs to get it to thicken, well over the 2%.

    My main query is the 2%- is this 2% of the final formulation volume or 2% of the active material?

    Any comments would be welcomed.

    Thanks
    G

    Benz3ne replied 4 years, 6 months ago 3 Members · 2 Replies
  • 2 Replies
  • belassi

    Member
    October 24, 2020 at 8:01 pm

    I have always taken it as % of final formulation volume.

  • Benz3ne

    Member
    October 26, 2020 at 10:10 am

    I’m in agreement with @Belassi above.
    How viscous do you want it? If you’re just thickening only SLES with salt, it’ll take more than the ~2% values stipulated for SLES/CAPB(/CDEA) mixtures that are typically thickened. Use of the CAPB or amide will potentially help thicken the mixture.
    I’ll also note that your 10% of 28% active SLES means you have only 2.8% SLES in your mixture. While this can be thickened, if you use more it’ll get thicker quicker. 2.8% SLES isn’t a huge amount.
    Lastly, perhaps try with substituting your hypochlorite with water and see whether it requires the same amount to thicken, or whether your bleach is having a deleterious effect on the viscosity.

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