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Why MFC will counteract settling issues

Posted by Rebecca Blell 8. November 2016

shutterstock_432676393.jpgEveryday life is full of formulations containing solid particles, pigments, beads or fillers. Depending on the application, the formulations may have a varying amount of solids. Common challenges with high solid content formulations are the settling of heavy particles or the floating of lighter ones. Therefore, it is important to ensure the stability of the solids suspended in a formulation. Especially those with high particle loading such as a coating formulation with matting agents, UV filters and other solids.

The stability and the performance of such formulations depend on how well the solids are suspended and how homogeneously they are dispersed and distributed. Both the short-term and the long-term behavior affects the quality of the formulation.

MFC, a biobased biodegradable and sustainable material can counteract settling of particles in many applications and formulations. But before we get there, let’s discuss what causes settling of particles.

What can cause settling of particles and how to avoid it?

Heavy particles settle at the bottom of a formulation due to gravity. Less dense particles float on the surface of a formulation. Hence, it is necessary to have a formulation with enough gel strength to suspend the particles and hold them in one position counteracting the force of gravity as well as preventing floating. Even if the particles are suspended successfully, they tend to aggregate over time. This leads to an increase in the size and mass of particles. In such a situation, the mass of the aggregates might get so high that the gel strength of the formulation is not enough to maintain the heavier particles suspended. This can in turn lead to a settling of the particles after some storage time. Therefore, the key factor to counteract settling of particles is to ensure homogenous dispersion of particles throughout the formulation during storage, transportation, handling and application.

A good dispersion is possible by using a high yield stress material that provides strong gel strength when added to a formulation, thus avoiding settling of the solid particles. This way, the particles will be dispersed, stabilized and homogeneously distributed in the formulation. An important part to remember is that the yield stress material must be used at the right concentration to provide the required gel strength. Some conventional stabilizers, other than MFC, include cellulosic polymers, carbomers, bentonite and xanthan gum. Typical drawbacks with these materials are that their use is limited by their pH range, or they are oil-based chemicals. So the questions is then: how can MFC contribute in this setting?

Why MFC prevents settling so effectively

MFC forms a physical 3D network with high surface area when incorporated into a given system. This leads to high yield stress, good gel strength and high viscosity at rest at quite low concentrations. Read more about the high yield stress of MFC in this article.

MFC can maintain a stable suspension of solids provided it has been correctly and completely dispersed in the formulation. The suspended solids will be homogenously dispersed throughout the formulation and throughout the physical 3D network of MFC.  

> Read also: Dispersion of microfibrillated cellulose - a critical success factor 

 Apricot Kernel Powder.jpg
Figure 1: 2g of Apricot Kernel Powder (Greentech product) with different particle sizes suspended in 2wt% MFC (Exilva, Borregaard). MFC maintain the homogeneous dispersion of the different particles, avoiding their settling, floating and aggregation/agglomeration.

In addition to providing the necessary gel strength and being of natural origin, MFC is very robust regarding pH, temperature, salt and does not dissolve. It implies that MFC will do the job under the different conditions the formulation will have to undergo during production and use.

applications and product types where mfc have enhanced performance.

In earlier blog posts, we have discussed the potential of MFC in different applications. By showing you some examples from these, I give you some ideas of where settling of solids and inhomogeneity is critical to the performance of the end product:

  • In home care, there is a range of products called abrasive cleaning products, and they rely on the mechanical cleaning action of what is called abrasive particles such as small mineral or metal particles; fine steel wool; copper; or nylon particles. They remove accumulations of dirt and soil found in small areas. MFC will maintain these particles homogeneously dispersed even at extreme pH conditions.
  • In paints and coatings, Pigment Volume Concentration (PVC) is a number that represents the volume of pigment compared to the volume of all solids. This is expressed as a ratio of pigment to binder. It is possible to have a high particle loading making the use of MFC in such products very relevant. Also, MFC can provide better surface wetting and enhanced performance like improved mud-crack resistance. Again, some of the solids that needs to be stabilized against settling are pigments, UV filters, matting agents and more. In a range of products, there can also be other materials to be suspended such as fire retardants, anti-fouling polymers and waxes

As a conclusion, MFC and its high yield stress can provide stability of particles in many complex formulations comtaining high solid contents. It´s high gel strength at low concentrations can allow improvement of the stability, performance and shelf-life of end-products, thus providing a new and sustainable tool in your tool box.


Free eBook for download: Microfibrillated Cellulose at a Glance

Topics: MFC, settlings

By: Rebecca Blell

Rebecca Blell first started working with microfibrillated cellulose MFC in 2009. During her studies, she was part of the SustainComp project and her task was to understand and incorporate MFC into thin layers for improved film properties. As a research scientist at Borregaard today, she focuses on the Exilva product and its performance in personal care and home care applications. Rebecca has a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Strasbourg, France, and experience from international locations.



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