Thickener, also known as gelling agent, is a substance that can increase the viscosity of latex and liquid. In the food industry, thickeners are also known as pastes. The following is a detailed introduction about thickeners:
1、 Definition and Properties
Thickener is a kind of material that can significantly improve the viscosity of the material system. It can keep the material system in a uniform and stable suspension state or milky state, and even form gel. Most thickeners also have emulsifying properties.
2、 Classification
Thickener can be divided into two categories: natural and synthetic:
Natural thickeners: Most are extracted from plants and seaweed containing polysaccharide viscous substances, such as starch, arabic gum, pectin, agar, gelatin, seaweed gel, carrageenan, dextrin, etc.
Synthetic thickeners: including carboxymethyl cellulose, propylene glycol alginate, methyl cellulose, starch phosphate sodium, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, alginate sodium, casein, sodium polyacrylate, polyoxyethylene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc.
3、 Application
Thickener is widely used in the following fields:
Food industry: used for sauce, jam, ice cream, canned food, etc. to improve food viscosity or form gel, which is used as food additive.
Cosmetics industry: such as general gelatin, soluble starch, polysaccharide derivatives, etc., used to improve the texture and stability of cosmetics.
Thickener also plays an important role in other industrial fields such as detergents, latex, printing and dyeing, pharmaceuticals, rubber, coatings, etc.
4、 Development History
Industrial thickeners originated in the 20th century. In 1953, Coodrich Company first introduced the first fully synthetic thickener, polyacrylic acid thickener, to the market. Subsequently, thickeners have experienced rapid development, particularly in industries such as food, cosmetics, and coatings where their applications have become increasingly widespread.
5、 Usage method
The use of thickeners usually includes the following steps:
Prepare a container and add an appropriate amount of solvent (such as water) and thickener.
Stir until the thickener is fully dissolved and dispersed in the solvent.
Other additives can be added as needed to adjust the performance of the product.
After stirring to a certain consistency, it can be used.
6、 Precautions
When using thickeners, the following points should be noted:
Follow the usage method and proportion in the product manual.
Avoid prolonged contact with the skin. In case of accidental contact, rinse immediately with clean water.
Store in a cool, dry, and well ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperatures.
In summary, thickeners are chemical additives widely used in multiple industries to improve product performance by increasing system viscosity. When using, it is necessary to pay attention to safe operation and storage conditions.
Thickener is an additive that can increase fluid viscosity and stability, commonly used in industries such as coatings, plastics, cosmetics, and food. Common additives include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), polyacrylate (and polyvinyl acetate (PVAE), etc.
The function of thickeners is to increase viscosity through interactions with water or oil. This viscosity can improve the adhesion and wear resistance of coatings, making them stronger and more durable. Agents can also improve the flowability of plastics and coatings, making operations easier and more efficient.
The selection and use of thickeners should be based on the specific application requirements and product characteristics. When using thickeners, attention should be paid to their impact on the environment and health, and relevant safety operating procedures should be followed.
