AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry INCI: Acrylates/Ceteareth-2 Methacrylate Crosspolymer Cost Effective Fixative and Rheology Modifier INTRODUCTION Traditionally, anionic polymers are not compatible with Carbomer. They can either cloud the system or significantly reduce the viscosity of the gel, making it necessary to use large quantities of Carbomer to recover the viscosity. BALANCE RCF can be used with Carbomer to create economical and aesthetically pleasing styling products. With its ability to thicken and form films, BALANCE RCF polymer can be used as a stand-alone polymer, replacing both traditional fixatives and rheology modifiers with a single ingredient. BALANCE RCF polymer is an alkali swellable acrylic polymer that provides viscosity and stiffness, resulting in crystal clear hair gels with a transmittance greater than 9%. This polymer may be used on its own or in combination with other rheology modifiers, such as Carbomer, to achieve the formulators desired texture. This polymer provides excellent high humidity curl retention and superior stiffness compared to traditional gel polymers. The excellent efficiency of BALANCE RCF polymer allows formulators to use 5% less BALANCE RCF than PVP K-9 to generate similar stiffness with improved on-hair sensory properties. APPLICATION AREAS BALANCE RCF polymer is specially designed to make crystal clear hair gels but it can also be used to develop spray gels, styling creams, and other styling waxes and pomades. Multifunctional, BALANCE RCF polymer provides excellent styling performance, volume, and frizz control while contributing to the viscosity of the system. FEATURES Excellent stiffness Excellent gloss Performance at low use levels Cost effective Compatible with carbomers Low tack Good high humidity curl retention SUGGESTED USE LEVELS, AS SUPPLIED Hair gel 1.67% - 6.67% Styling aids 1.67% - 6.67% 1 of 6
AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry FORMULATION GUIDELINES Solubility BALANCE RCF polymer is an emulsion polymer that is soluble in water and water/ethanol solutions when fully neutralized. Neutralization BALANCE RCF polymer must be neutralized with a base to form a clear system. Different neutralizing agents such as Triethanolamine (TEA) and Aminomethyl Propanol (AMP) can be used to neutralize the polymer. It is recommended to neutralize the polymer to a ph greater than 7. to provide optimum clarity and the highest viscosity. Recommended Processing for Styling Formulations It is recommended to add BALANCE RCF polymer to water with adequate mixing. Add neutralizer with continued agitation to form a clear viscous gel. The recommended formulation ph of hair gel containing BALANCE RCF polymer is between 7. 8.. When formulating BALANCE RCF/Carbomer gel systems, it is recommended to make a 2% Carbomer premix in water in a separate vessel first. Add water to the main vessel and begin mixing at 1 rpm using a propeller blade. Slowly sift in the 2% Carbomer solution and mix until dispersed and smooth. With continued mixing, add half the amount of calculated neutralizer to the main vessel, followed by adding the BALANCE RCF polymer. Stir until homogeneous and then add the remaining amount of neutralizer while reducing the mixing speed to 4 rpm. The resulting product should be a clear, viscous gel. Compatibility BALANCE RCF polymer is compatible with common gel additives such as PEG-12 Dimethicone, Panthenol, Sorbitol as well as many others. BALANCE RCF polymer also works in combination with other AkzoNobel styling polymers such as AMPHOMER, AMAZE TM XT, STRUCTURE Style and STRUCTURE CEL 44 E to create unique gels. BALANCE RCF polymer works best with Glydant Plus liquid or Germaben II as the preservative for optimal rheology and clarity. BALANCE RCF polymer is compatible with Euxyl PE 91, Sensiva PA 4, and Phenonip with no impact on clarity, but all three preservatives can impact overall viscosity and rheology. PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES Viscosity A basic system using 2% active BALANCE RCF polymer will provide a viscosity of approximately 3, cps when neutralized with TEA to a ph of 7., as shown in Figure 1. 2 of 6
Viscosity, cps Viscosity, cps AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry Figure 1: Viscosity vs. Concentration 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 25.%.5% 1.% 1.5% 2.% 2.5% 3.% Concentration, % Active Polymer Brookfield Spindle #3, 1 rpm, 25ºC, ph adjusted to 7.2 with TEA BALANCE RCF polymer is also highly compatible with Carbomer; different use levels of the polymer can provide different gel viscosities, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2: BALANCE RCF Polymer Viscosities with Varying Levels of Carbomer 14, 12, 1, 8, 6, 4, 2,.%.25%.5%.75% 1.% 1.25% % Active BALANCE RCF polymer.3% Carbomer.5% Carbomer.7% Carbomer Neutralized with TEA to ph 7.5, Brookfield RVE @ 1 rpm 3 of 6
AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry Subjective Evaluations Subjective evaluations were conducted by trained panellists on hair tresses to determine the performance of BALANCE RCF polymer compared to PVP K-9. The panelists evaluated the dry swatches and were forced to pick one swatch over the other for each performance attribute. The data is reported at the 95% confidence level. Hair tresses were treated with a gel comprised of 1.5% active BALANCE RCF polymer and.3% Carbomer and compared to control gels containing 1.5% PVP K-9 and 3% PVP K-9 at the same Carbomer solids levels. The results are shown in Table 1. It is noted that 1.5% of BALANCE RCF polymer gives more stiffness than 1.5% PVP K-9 and equivalent stiffness to 3% PVP K-9, which provides a cost savings in the formulation of the gel. In addition, gels containing BALANCE RCF polymer provide improved dry combing compared to both PVP K-9 control gels. Table 1: Subjective On-Hair Comparison of a 1.5% BALANCE RCF Polymer Hair Styling Gel vs. PVP K-9 Gel Controls 1.5% PVP K-9 3% PVP K-9 Gloss NSD NSD Stiffness + NSD Dry Comb + + Flake NSD + Anti-Stat NSD + Dry Feel NSD + NSD = no statistical difference Negative (-) = the experimental is statistically inferior vs. the control Positive (+) = the experimental is statistically superior vs. the control Hair tresses were treated with a gel comprised of 2.% active BALANCE RCF polymer containing no Carbomer and compared to control gels containing 1.5% PVP K-9 and 3% PVP K-9 gels with.3% Carbomer. The 2.% active BALANCE RCF gel has statistically superior stiffness, improved dry combing, and less on-hair flaking compared to the PVP K-9 / Carbomer gels. 4 of 6
% Curl Retention AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry Table 2: Subjective On-Hair Comparison of a 2.% BALANCE RCF Polymer Hair Styling Gel (no Carbomer) vs. PVP K-9 Gel Controls 1.5% PVP K-9 3% PVP K-9 Gloss = = Stiffness + + Dry Comb + + Flake + + Anti-Stat = = Dry Feel = = NSD = no statistical difference Negative (-) = the experimental is statistically inferior vs. the control Positive (+) = the experimental is statistically superior vs. the control High Humidity Curl Retention BALANCE RCF polymer has excellent curl retention under extreme conditions of humidity and temperature. Gels containing 2.%, 1.5% active BALANCE RCF polymer and 1.5% BALANCE RCF/.3% Carbomer show statistically superior humidity resistance compared with traditional 1.5% PVP K-9 and 3% PVP K-9 Carbomer gels when evaluated at 21 C and 9% relative humidity conditions over a period of 24 hours. Figure 3 shows all of the gels containing BALANCE RCF polymer have superior high humidity curl retention compared with traditional 1.5% PVP K-9 and 3% PVP K-9 gels when evaluated at 21 C and 9% relative humidity conditions over a period of 24 hours. Figure 3: BALANCE RCF polymer High Humidity Curl Retention 1 2% BALANCE RCF 8 6 4 1.5% BALANCE RCF 1.5% BALANCE RCF w/carbomer 1.5% PVP w/carbomer 3% PVP w/carbomer 2 5 1 15 2 25 Time in Humidity, hrs 5 of 6
Viscosity, cps AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry Ethanol Tolerance A loss in viscosity is seen with increased levels of ethanol in a basic system using 2% active BALANCE RCF polymer, as shown in Figure 4. All samples appeared crystal clear at all ethanol levels. Figure 4: BALANCE RCF Polymer Viscosity vs. Percent Ethanol at 2% solids 45, 4, 35, 3, 25, 2, 15, 1, 5,. 2. 4. 6. 8. 1. 12. 14. 16. Ethanol, % Brookfield Spindle #3, 1rpm at 25ºC STORAGE AND HANDLING BALANCE RCF polymer should be protected from freezing. Avoid extreme temperatures during storage. Good industrial hygiene practices should be followed when working with this polymer. Please read the MSDS before working with these or any other chemical. This material has a shelf life of one year. HEALTH AND SAFETY A safety summary is available upon request. 3.214 Rev. 9.3.214 All information concerning our products and/or all suggestions for handling and use contained herein (including formulation and toxicity information) are offered in good faith and are believed to be reliable. However Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry makes no warranty express or implied (i) as to the accuracy or sufficiency of such information and/or suggestions, (ii) as to any product s merchantability or fitness for a particular use or (iii) that any suggested use (including use in any formulation) will not infringe any patent. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as granting or extending any license under any patent. The user must determine for itself by preliminary tests or otherwise the suitability of any product and of any information contained herein (including but not limited to formulation and toxicity information) for the user s purpose. The safety of any formulations described herein has not been established. The suitability and safety of a formulation should be confirmed in all respects by the user prior to use. The information contained herein supersedes all previously issued bulletins on the subject matter covered. 6 of 6