Question

Thickener 6000DS, Thickener 638, and PEG-150 are mainly used in which industries and processes?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 增稠剂6000DS,增稠剂638,PEG-150

Thickener 6000DS, Thickener 638, and PEG-150 cover two major sectors: industrial and daily chemical, and are widely used in multiple industries such as coatings, adhesives, inks, textiles, personal care products, and detergents.

Detailed Description

Guli Chemical's PEG-150 distearate series thickeners are non-ionic high-efficiency thickeners, including Thickener 6000DS (powder) and Thickener 638 (liquid) grades, to suit different process needs. With excellent thickening efficiency, outstanding compatibility (good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and non-ionic systems), and stability against acid, alkali, and hard water, this series is an ideal choice for thickening modification in water-based systems.

In terms of industry distribution, the industrial field is its main area, covering water-based architectural coatings, water-based adhesives, water-based inks, textile printing pastes, textile lubricants, and industrial mold release agents; the daily chemical and personal care fields involve shampoos, body washes, creams, lotions, and household detergents. The two grades have different focuses in application: powder type 6000DS is more suitable for scenarios requiring precise metering and long-term storage, while liquid type 638 is superior in production convenience due to easy dispersion and suitability for cold blending processes.

In actual process applications, Thickener 6000DS and 638 mainly play a role in dilution, dispersion, grinding, and filling stages of water-based system formulations, optimizing application performance (such as roll coating, brush coating, spray coating, printing) and storage stability (anti-settling, anti-stratification) by adjusting system viscosity. PEG-150 is more often used in formulations containing surfactants (such as shampoos, body washes, detergents) to provide thickening and suspension stabilization, while enhancing the sensory experience, such as foam texture, cream fineness, and smooth application.

Application Field and Process Reference Table

Product GradeApplication IndustryCore Process/ScenarioMain Function
Thickener 6000DS
(White to off-white powder)
Water-based architectural coatings (latex paint) Dilution, dispersion, filling Thickening, anti-settling, anti-spattering, improves roll/brush application feel, forms uniform thick film
Water-based adhesives Batching, mixing, coating Adjusts viscosity, enhances initial tack and storage stability, prevents filler sedimentation and stratification
Water-based inks Grinding dispersion, printing Optimizes thixotropy and rheological curve, ensures clear dots, full color, reduces misting
Textile printing pastes Paste preparation, printing Enhances water retention and plastic viscosity, ensures sharp printing outlines, reduces bleeding
Thickener 638
(Slightly yellow transparent liquid)
Latex paint Cold blending, paint mixing Balances low and medium shear viscosity, enhances can-opening effect and leveling, reduces spattering and sagging
Water-based industrial coatings Spray coating, dip coating, roller coating Adjusts application viscosity, improves anti-settling and hiding power, maintains stable gloss
Water-based adhesives Coating, lamination Controls consistency, extends open time, improves wet tack, does not affect final bond strength
Water-based inks High-speed printing Provides printable rheological properties, ensures transfer rate, no screen clogging, fine and clear print marks
PEG-150 Personal care products (shampoos, body washes, creams, lotions) Batching, homogenization and emulsification, filling Provides thickness and suspension capability, enhances foam texture, makes creams fine and smooth for application
Household and industrial detergents Batching, mixing Adjusts detergent liquid viscosity, improves wall adhesion, stabilizes fragrance and auxiliary components
Textile lubricants Spinning, weaving Acts as consistency regulator and protective colloid, reduces friction, prevents fiber damage
Industrial mold release agents Mold coating Increases film-forming property and adhesion viscosity, ensures uniform coverage of mold surface, achieves efficient release

Application Suggestions

Selection Guide: If the formulation requires precise metering, long-term storage, or favors a powder raw material system, prioritize Thickener 6000DS; if convenience in cold blending, rapid dispersion, and energy saving are pursued, the liquid grade Thickener 638 is more suitable. Both belong to the PEG-150 distearate series with the same core thickening mechanism, and can also be used together when both production efficiency and storage convenience need to be considered.

Dosage Reference: This series has high thickening efficiency. Generally, a low dosage (usually 0.5%-3% of the total formulation, specific dosage depends on target viscosity and system characteristics, to be determined by experiments) can achieve ideal rheological properties in water-based systems. It is recommended to determine the optimal addition amount through gradient tests during the laboratory stage of formulation development.

Addition Process: Thickener 638 liquid can be directly added to cold blending systems with stirring dispersion; Thickener 6000DS powder should be slowly added under high-speed stirring to ensure full dissolution and dispersion, avoiding clumping. Both can be added at different stages of the formulation, but it is recommended to complete the thickener addition before pH adjustment to achieve the best thickening effect.

Precautions

  • Storage Conditions: It is recommended to store at temperatures not exceeding 45°C, relative humidity below 70%, sealed in a cool and dry place, away from strong acids, strong bases, and strong oxidizers. The powder type 6000DS requires special attention to moisture prevention to avoid caking due to moisture absorption.
  • Operational Safety: It is recommended to wear dust masks, safety goggles, and protective gloves during operation. Although the product is non-toxic and non-flammable, accumulated fine dust mixed with air may form combustible dust clouds, so keep away from open flames and heat sources.
  • Shelf Life: The unopened product has a valid shelf life of two years under recommended storage conditions. Once opened, it should be resealed and used as soon as possible.
  • Compatibility Test: Although the non-ionic nature of this series gives it broad compatibility, it is recommended to conduct small-scale trial verification for specific formulation systems before large-scale production to ensure compatibility and stability with other components (especially electrolytes, active substances, etc.) in the system.