Advantages and Disadvantages of Associative Thickeners in Coatings Performance

The introduction of new coatings raw materials is usually accompanied by enthusiastic descriptions of their apparent advantages. In critical evaluations, the stated claims may be confirmed or disproved or new advantages may be discovered. Usually some disadvantages are uncovered during the long and demanding process of formulating, manufacturing, and marketing the resulting products. This review examines the effects of associative thickeners on the performance of waterborne latex coatings, from the consumers viewpoint and from the perspective of the coatings manufacturer.