Thickening agent for aqueous compositions

摘要

A mixture of a water swellable clay mineral and an alkali soluble and thickenable (meth)acrylic acid emulsion copolymer provides a highly effective thickening and gelling agent for aqueous systems at low concentrations. The gels are self-supporting and have high strength and thus are particularly useful as air fresheners and other applications where firm gels are desirable. A synergistic thickening effect between the (meth)acrylic acid copolymer and the clay mineral is observed.