NOVEL ASSOCIATIVE THICKENERS FOR AQUEOUS SYSTEMS

摘要

The present invention is directed to associative thickener compositions which are urethane/urea polymers comprising at least two low molecular weight hydrophobic groups, at least one of which is terminal. The polymers may also comprise one or more internal hydrophobic groups. The terminal hydrophobic groups are separated from the polymer chain by a hydrophilic spacer moiety which is linked to the chain by a urea or urethane linkage. The polymers are prepared by the reaction of a prepolymer formed from the reaction of a hydrophilic diol or alkoxy based amine and diisocyanate, with an alkoxylated amine substituted hydrophobic radical.