How to Thicken with ThickClean (Carbopol SF-1)
Question
I mixed ThickClean (Carbopol SF-1) with water but it did not thicken into a gel. What is the correct method to use ThickClean to achieve thickening?
Answer
How to Use ThickClean™ (Carbopol SF-1) for Thickening
You are correct that simply mixing ThickClean™ with water will not cause it to thicken into a gel. ThickClean™ (Acrylates Copolymer, equivalent to Carbopol SF-1) is a rheology modifier that requires neutralization to activate its thickening properties.
To achieve thickening with ThickClean™, you need to adjust the pH of the mixture. The product description recommends adjusting the pH to 6.2-6.6 for neutralization. This pH range allows the polymer structure to swell and create viscosity.
While ThickClean™ is primarily designed for use in surfactant systems like shampoos, liquid soaps, and cleansers, the principle of needing neutralization applies even when mixing with just water.
General Mixing Steps (based on product description):
- Mix water (and detergent/surfactant if making a cleanser) and other water-soluble ingredients.
- Add ThickClean™. You can pre-disperse ThickClean™ in a small amount of the formula's water phase to make mixing easier.
- Adjust the pH of the mixture to 6.2-6.6 using a neutralizing agent (like a base). This is the crucial step for thickening.
- (Optional) You can add salt (Sodium Chloride) up to 2% to further increase viscosity, but this should be done after neutralization and pH adjustment.
Ensure you do not mix at very high speeds (above 2500 rpm) as this can damage the polymer. Preheating the water phase to 60-70°C can help with dispersion, though it is not strictly required as ThickClean™ is liquid.
Therefore, the reason your test with water did not thicken is likely because the pH was not adjusted to the required neutralization range of 6.2-6.6.
Follow-up Replies
Question:
I need recommendations for the appropriate ratio of water to `ThickClean™` (Acrylates Copolymer) to create a gel consistency similar to body wash or dish soap.
For example, what is the required proportion of `ThickClean™` for 350 mL of water?
Answer:
The recommended usage rate for ThickClean™ (Acrylates Copolymer) is typically 1% to 10% of the total formula, depending on the desired viscosity.
For a consistency similar to a body wash or dish soap, a concentration of 4% to 6% is a good starting point.
Example Calculation for 350 mL of Water
Assuming 350 mL of water is approximately 350 grams (the total weight of your formula):
- At 4% concentration: You would need $350 \text{ g} \times 0.04 = 14 \text{ grams}$ of ThickClean™.
- At 5% concentration: You would need $350 \text{ g} \times 0.05 = 17.5 \text{ grams}$ of ThickClean™.
Crucial Step: Neutralization
Remember that after mixing ThickClean™ with water (and surfactants, if you are making a final product), you must neutralize the mixture by adjusting the pH to 6.2-6.6 using a base (such as Triethanolamine or a diluted Sodium Hydroxide solution). The thickening will only occur once the pH is in this range.
