Atlox™ 4913 graft

‘comb’ copolymer
Dispersant for aqueous suspension concentrates
The formulation of aqueous suspensions of pesticides requires the use of powerful dispersing agents which
keep the particles in a deflocculated state by the formation of protective layers around them.

Because of the high loading and the small particle size of the active ingredient, the dispersed particles have an
inherent tendency to flocculate irreversibly as a result of the London van der Waals forces of attraction.
Adsorption of a dispersing agent onto the particles will generate repulsive forces - or eliminate the attractive
forces between them. This is particularly true in suspensions with a high volume fraction of the solid.
Adsorption of a dispersing agent onto the particles will generate repulsive forces, thus eliminating flocculation.
Flocculation should be avoided during production and in the end product as it leads to increased viscosity and
reduces the spontaneity of dispersion on dilution of the suspension concentrate.

Croda has available ionic and nonionic dispersants, and nonionic macromolecules to obtain deflocculation in
aqueous suspension concentrates.

Benefits
 Methyl methacrylate graft copolymer that will meet the desired performance parameters in pesticide
suspension concentrates.
 Cost-effective alternative to traditional ionic and nonionic dispersants used to produce aqueous dispersions.
 Broad spectrum dispersant for organic and inorganic active ingredients in water. Highly concentrated
dispersions with a volume fraction above 0.6% can be obtained. It adsorbs strongly onto the particle surface
and provides a steric barrier preventing flocculation.
 Irreversible adsorption on the particle surface providing excellent steric stabilisation.
 Production of weakly flocculated (depletion flocculation) suspensions.
Non-adsorbing polymers can be added to build up a tridimensional structure
(a visco-elastic gel) in the continuous phase.
 High volume fractions approaching the theoretical packing fraction can be obtained.
 No sensitivity to the presence of electrolytes.

Applications
Atlox 4913 (2-3% by weight of end formulation is recommended) is ideally combined with Atlas G-5000 or Atlox
4894. These products used at 0.5%-2% diffuse rapidly and act as wetting, dispersing and liquefying agents
before and during milling. After milling, Atlox 4913 will be irreversibly adsorbed on the particle surface and will
act as a stabiliser. A free, non-adsorbing polymer, hydroxyethyl cellulose or poly (ethyleneoxide), is
recommended.

Atlox 4913 will also give stable emulsions with the more polar organic liquids such as aromatic hydrocarbons,
eg. toluene, and esters, eg. methyl methacrylate. Active Atlox 4913, 3% by weight in the oil phase, will give a
droplet size range of 1-5 microns if the emulsion is formed in a high shear agitator or by using an ultrasonic
probe.

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 Wetting of the active ingredient onto target surface may be critical to control; therefore, we would recommend
adding 2.0% (w/w) Atlox 4894 initially. If wetting is insufficient, a different wetter could be added to the let down
mixture as required.

Depending on the target active ingredient concentration, the formulation may need to be processed as a
concentrate in order to efficiently reduce particle size. If a mean particle size of 3 microns is desired, this may
be accomplished using an attritor (slurry concentration and media diameter) or more likely with a Dyna-Mill. If
processed as a concentrate, the proportional weights of letdown components should be added to the covered
Mill Slurry under high shear agitation. If flocculation presents a problem, it is recommended to move to a higher
initial loading of Atlox 4894/4913 during the milling process.

Final Model Formula

Component Percent (w/w)

Active ingredient Desired concentration based
(Technical, 100%) on performance
Preservative Approximately 0.25%
Defoamer Approximately 0.10%
Atlox 4894 2.00%
Atlox 4913 3.00%
Xanthan gum To desired viscosity
Propylene glycol 6.00%
Water To 100%

These guidelines are general and do not reflect the best possible formulation or manufacturing process
conditions. Best results may be attained by contacting Croda with details of the desired formulation and
arranging technical service from the Crop Care technical team. Based on your interests and needs, Croda can
develop an optimised aqueous suspension concentrate (SC) formulation using Atlox 4913 and other quality
Croda products.

EPA 40 CFR 180 status: 960

REACH status: Please contact us for further details.

Further information
Samples and additional information, including product safety and regulatory data, are available on request.
Please contact your local sales office.
This product should be kept in brown bottles, rather than clear ones, as exposure to direct sunlight can rapidly
effect the colour of this product.

Non-warranty
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in good faith, but no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy is
made. Suggestions for uses or applications are only opinions. Users are responsible for determining the suitability of these products for their own particular
purpose. No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made with respect to information or products including, without limitation, warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of any third party patent or other intellectual property rights including, without limit, copyright,
trademark and designs. Any trademarks identified herein are trademarks of the Croda group of companies.
©2013 Croda Europe Ltd

Croda Europe Ltd Cowick Hall Snaith Goole East Yorkshire DN14 9AA England 05/18 CCDS006v2 EN
Tel +44 (0)1405 860551 Fax +44 (0)1405 861767 E-mail cropcare@croda.com www.croda.com/cropcare Page 2 of 2

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