Thickener AT-73 is a synthetic acrylic copolymer dispersed in a paraffin solvent and is developed for water based polymer products. This product provides high thickening efficiency, short flow rheology, and very good mechanical stability. It is suitable for textile pigment printing industry, especially for the rotary screen-printing. Because of its' special molecular structure, it has a very high thickening efficiency and a unique rheology. The product can be used directly and does not require the addition of ammonia or other alkali to the system.

Thickener AT-73 has the following benefits:

1. Extremely easy to use and highly efficient
2. Excellent workability
3. High electrolyte resistance and high flush resistance
4. Superior definition and color yield
5. Effective over a wide pH range

Typical Physical Properties

1. Appearance: Creamy liquid
2. pH: 8.0 ±1.0 (light ammonia odor)
3. Solids: 32.0 ±1.0%
4. Specific gravity: 1.20
5. Viscosity: 25,000 ± 5,000 cps (Brookfield, RVT, #6, 5 rpm)

Method of Use and Example
Water is added to the pre-weighed Thickener AT-73 with gentle agitation to prepare a thickener stock. Binder, pigment, and other ingredients of the printing paste formulation are then added to the thickener stock to make the final printing paste. For example, a printing paste with the composition of
AT-73    Water    Acrylic binder     Pigment paste
  3.0        93.0               3.0                       1.0            (w/w %)    
has a viscosity of 35,000 - 45,000 cps (Brookfield, RVT, #6, 5 rpm) and gives excellent print definition and color yield.
*This example is for reference. The formulation should be adjusted to the product requirement.