These three products all use PEG-150 distearate as the core component and belong to the nonionic thickeners. They are chemically the same series but differ in form and application focus: Thickener 6000DS is a white to off-white powder, facilitating precise measurement and long-term storage. It is designed for water-based systems and excels in areas such as architectural coatings and water-based adhesives; Thickener 638 is a slightly yellow transparent liquid, easy to disperse, especially suitable for cold blending processes. It is a general-purpose rheology modifier that imparts appropriate thixotropy to the system; PEG-150 covers a broader range of applications of this series, including personal care products, detergents, textile lubricants, and industrial mold releases.
Thanks to its nonionic nature, this series is compatible with anionic, cationic, and nonionic systems, offering strong formulation adaptability and almost no limitation by the system's charge type. At the same time, the products maintain stable thickening effects under complex water quality and a wide pH range, which is highly practical in industrial and household chemical applications.
| Parameter | Thickener 6000DS | Thickener 638 | PEG-150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Name | PEG-150 Distearate | PEG-150 Distearate | Polyethylene Glycol (150) Distearate |
| CAS Number | 9005-08-07 | 9005-08-07 | 9005-08-07 |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Slightly yellow transparent liquid | No unified appearance parameter currently |
| Ionic Type | Nonionic | Nonionic | Nonionic |
| Function | Thickening, emulsifying, lubricating | Thickening, rheology modification | Thickening, emulsifying, stabilizing |
| pH Tolerance | Broad, resistant to acid and alkali | Broad, resistant to acid and alkali | Broad, resistant to acid and alkali |
| Hard Water Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Shelf Life | Two years (unopened) | Two years (unopened) | Two years (unopened) |
Thickener 6000DS (powder): Suitable for water-based architectural coatings (latex paint), water-based adhesives, water-based inks, textile printing pastes, etc. It provides efficient thickening at low dosages, offering excellent anti-settling and anti-splattering capabilities, significantly improving the feel of roller and brush application, and helping form a uniform thick film. It is recommended to slowly add the powder under stirring to ensure full dispersion and dissolution.
Thickener 638 (liquid): Suitable for general-purpose scenarios such as latex paints, water-based industrial coatings, water-based adhesives, water-based inks, etc. The liquid form is easy to disperse, especially suitable for cold blending processes. It balances medium and low shear viscosity, enhances the opening effect and film leveling, and reduces splashing and sagging during application. It can be directly added to the system under stirring.
PEG-150 (general-purpose): Widely used in personal care products (shampoo, shower gel, creams and lotions) and household detergents, imparting a pleasant consistency and suspension ability. It thickens while improving foam texture, making creams fine and application smooth. It is also suitable for textile lubricants and industrial mold releases as a consistency regulator and protective colloid.