Fumed, Colloidal, or Precipitated Silica, Thixotropic Powder - (Contact to request actual ship cost for multi items)

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Because this is a low density material, a little will go pretty far. The supplier it came from did not specify what type it is other than to call it "Thixo Powder". It could be fumed silica, colloidal silica, or precipitated silica. There are not that many differences between the 3 other than the way it's produced. The end product does the same thing: modifies rheology of a liquid (changes the flow properties). This is a general purpose variety. It works with both water-based and oil-based liquids, and all types of liquid resins. When fully mixed into a transparent liquid it reduces transparency proportional to the quantity added. It's similar to the well known "Cab-o-Sil" (fumed silica, for example M-5), but is denser and doesn't float in the air quite as much as it does. There are literally hundreds of versions of fumed/colloidal/precipitated silica. Some will work to thicken water born materials, some only work with plastics because they're treated with siloxanes. This one works with both. I like it better than the less dense versions because it's more versitile and easier to work with. It makes a heavier paste than cab-o-sil, but requires more of the material to do its work. It's also easier to mix with the liquid than the other material.
"Thixo" refers to thixotropic, a brief excerpt from Wiki:
"Certain gels or fluids that are thick (viscous) under static conditions will flow (become thin, less viscous) over time when shaken, agitated, or otherwise stressed (time dependent viscosity). They then take a fixed time to return to a more viscous state."
In simpler terms it means a thick gel which will flow if agitated or stirred, but will rethicken when agitation ceases. It's essential to "gel-coats" used in the formed fiberglass industry as the initial resin that is sprayed into a mold and which forms the outer surface of the finished product (surfboards, bathtubs, boats, etc).
This particular type is from Douglas & Sturgess. Here's what they say about it:
"This is a lower cost silica thickener and although not as efficient as Thixo HP, it works well as a general purpose thickener. Want to make modeling paste? Add a little of this to Art Medium Type B along with some whiting and adjust it just the way you like it. Need a light weight resin filler? Mix some of this with some polyester resin and Perlite EX and you're on your way. The combinations are endless, so play with it. Thixo Powder will also work as a flattening agent in water based coatings.-
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