Crystasense™ Sapphire: Simply Effortless Cleaning

CrystaSense™ Sapphire
Simply Effortless Cleaning

CrystaSense Sapphire is a novel polymeric thickener for aqueous neutral-alkaline hard surface cleaning
formulations. This unique polymer has been designed with both the consumer and the formulator in mind.
Benefits
 ‘Spray & Stick’
 Improved surface contact
 Enhanced soil removal
 No loss in gloss to treated surfaces
 Targeted delivery
 Thickening with surfactants
 Quick and easy formulating
 Cold processable
Applications
 Hard surface cleaning
 I&I
This speciality polymer enables targeted delivery of thickened formulations in a sprayable format. The
innovative ‘Spray & Stick’ technology delivers enhanced soil removal due to the improved surface contact time,
which is especially important for vertical surfaces. There is no loss in gloss to treated surfaces, with no
streaking or smeary residues left behind.
Fast processing times and simple formulations are achievable with CrystaSense Sapphire. It also delivers
excellent thickening and suspending properties in formulations with added surfactants.
Please contact your local sales representative for the current product specifications.
Product Chemistry
CrystaSense Sapphire is an anionic acrylic polymer, which has a polymeric backbone comprised of
acid/acrylate groups, with pendant associative groups. The product as supplied is an acidic emulsion, which
needs to be neutralised with a suitable base (such as sodium hydroxide solution or triethanolamine), to create a
clear gel.
Targeted Delivery from Sprayable Systems

CrystaSense Sapphire gives predictable dosing and targeted delivery from thickened, sprayable systems due to
its optimised shear thinning properties. Sprays containing CrystaSense Sapphire stick to the targeted area and
require minimal effort for removal, which is especially useful for cleaning vertical surfaces.
The shear thinning nature of CrystaSense Sapphire can be explained by examining the behavior of the
polymeric matrix throughout the spraying process, as seen in Figure 1. At rest, the cross-linked polymeric
network is highly structured to give the aqueous formulation a very viscous, concentrated appearance. As force
is applied, for example when spraying through a nozzle, the polymeric chains align along the axis of the applied
force. This allows for targeted, sprayable delivery of highly viscous systems – without clogging the spraying
mechanism.
The immediate viscosity recovery on the targeted surface increases the surface contact time to give enhanced
soil removal, with minimal effort.
Croda Europe Ltd Cowick Hall Snaith Goole East Yorkshire DN14 9AA England 02/14HCDS159
Tel +44 (0)1405 860551 Fax +44 (0)1405 861767 E-mail homecare-europe@croda.com www.croda.com/homecare Page 1 of 8
Targeted Spray
High shear – the association
network is deformed
Thickened Gel Thickened Gel
Low shear – highly Low shear – polymeric
structured polymeric network reforms and
network of intra and inter- immediate viscosity recovery
molecular forces is observed
Figure 1: Shear thinning properties of CrystaSense Sapphire
‘Spray & Stick’ – Effortless Cleaning Technology

Formulations thickened with CrystaSense Sapphire give improved surface contact time, they stick to surfaces
rather than running off immediately, this in turn gives enhanced soil removal with minimal effort for removal.
The sprayable format gives targeted delivery to greasy, stained areas and the enhanced ‘Spray & Stick’
technology delivers effortless cleaning performance. This means less time spent on the cleaning regime to
accommodate for busier modern lifestyles.
In order to assess the benefits of a thickened formulation, a test was conducted where two samples were
sprayed onto greasy squares on a tile, one thickened with CrystaSense Sapphire and one un-thickened. A
simple rinse wash was then applied and the results can be seen in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Results of cleaning efficiency test for thickened formulation containing 2% CrystaSense Sapphire vs un-thickened
formulation
This satisfies consumer demand for products that are easy to apply, give enhanced cleaning performance and
require minimal effort for removal.
Gloss and Suspension
Adding CrystaSense Sapphire to formulations causes no significant loss in gloss to the treated surface, which
is often the case with gel cleaner formulations. Three degreaser formulations were tested to compare the gloss
of the treated black tiles: un-thickened degreaser, degreaser thickened with 2% CrystaSense Sapphire (see
example formulation HC/HS/43 at the end of this datasheet for the full formulation) and a degreaser thickened
with 2% Xanthan Gum.
Figure 3: Gloss Testing Results of two thickened degreaser formulations compared to an un-thickened degreaser, at pH 11.5
As seen in Figure 3, no significant change in gloss was observed between the CrystaSense Sapphire and un-
thickened degreasers, unlike the Xanthan Gum degreaser, which was shown to give a significant reduction in
surface gloss.
Formulations containing CrystaSense Sapphire have excellent suspending properties, which can be exploited
to create eye-catching formulations with additional functionality, such as suspending microencapsulated
fragrances or surface modification additives. Suspended beads were used to display the thickening efficiency
and suspension properties of formulations containing 2% NatraSense™ AG-810 and 2% CrystaSense
Sapphire, the beads were still suspended after 4 weeks when stored at both room temperature and 40˚C, as
seen in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Beads suspended in thickened formulation

after 4 weeks at room temperature (left) and 40˚C (right)
Ease of Formulation
Formulating with CrystaSense Sapphire is quick and simple; it is possible to create eye-catching and functional
formulations in two simple steps. CrystaSense Sapphire is added to a water/surfactant mixture, with stirring, the
polymer is then neutralised to the desired pH and thickening is visible immediately. The typical usage levels of
CrystaSense Sapphire are 1-3%. An example degreaser formulation (HC/HS/43), can be found at the end of
this datasheet in the Formulation Examples section, the percentage of CrystaSense Sapphire used will vary
depending on the surfactant system that is required.
Thickening with Surfactants

One of the main benefits of CrystaSense Sapphire is that it can be used in formulations alongside surfactants,
whilst retaining the excellent thickening efficiency. However, the degree of thickening does vary with surfactant
type and surfactant inclusion level. CrystaSense Sapphire shows excellent thickening efficiency with many
surfactants, including NatraSense AG-810, Crodasinic™ LS30 and Synperonic™ 91/5 (see Figures 5-7).
Figure 5: Thickening efficiency of CrystaSense Sapphire in systems containng various levels of NatraSense AG-810 at pH 7.5
Figure 6: Thickening efficiency of CrystaSense Sapphire in systems containing various levels of Crodasinic LS30 at pH 7.5
Figure 7: Thickening efficiency of CrystaSense Sapphire in systems containing various levels of Synperonic 91/5 at pH 7.5
Typically there is a drop in thickening performance with increased surfactant levels. However it is still possible
to create effective, thickened formulations with 30% surfactant concentrations.
Rheology Performance
CrystaSense Sapphire has been optimised to have the correct rheology to provide targeted, sprayable delivery
of a thickened formulation. The high viscosity at low shear means that a flowable gel can suspend particulates.
The shear thinning rheology of CrystaSense Sapphire means that thickened gel formulations can be easily
sprayed onto a surface, with fast viscosity recovery on the surface. These effects are highlighted in Figure 8.
The addition of NatraSense AG-810 reduces the shear thinning slightly, but it still has the same observed
effect.
Figure 8: CrystaSense Sapphire rheology profiles
Optimal pH Range for CrystaSense Sapphire

CrystaSense Sapphire functions as a rheology modifier in the pH range 7-12, which means it is suitable for use
in everyday cleaning/glass cleaning formulations and high pH alkaline degreasers.
Figure 9 shows a typical pH curve for CrystaSense Sapphire, in a formulation containing NatraSense AG-810,
demonstrating that optimum thickening occurs at pH 7-10.
Figure 9: pH Curve for formulation containing 1.5% CrystaSense Sapphire and 1% NatraSense AG-810
Builder Effect on Viscosity
CrystaSense Sapphire does have an improved electrolyte tolerance, when compared to other available
polymers, due to the inter- and intra-molecular interactions of the hydrophobic associative groups on the
polymer chains. As the builder level increases, the ionic repulsion will decrease and so will the viscosity. If a
builder is required in the formulation then a higher percentage of the polymer will be required to get the desired
thickening effects. CrystaSense Sapphire displays excellent efficiency when used with surfactants that are not
affected by builders, such as NatraSense AG-810 and Crodasinic LS30.
The effects that different builders have on the viscosity of a 1% NatraSense AG-810 system, thickened with 1.5
% CrystaSense Sapphire can be seen in Figure 10.
Figure 10: Effects of different builders on a 1% NatraSense AG-810 system thickened with 1.5% CrystaSense Sapphire at pH 8
Formulation Examples
• General Degreaser Thickened with CrystaSense Sapphire HC/HS/43
• Glass Cleaner Thickened with CrystaSense Sapphire HC/HS/44

• Everyday Cleaner Thickened with CrystaSense Sapphire HC/HS/45
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.
©2014 Croda Europe Ltd

Crystasense™ Sapphire: Simply Effortless Cleaning

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Crystasense™ Sapphire: Simply Effortless Cleaning

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CrystaSense™ Sapphire

Simply Effortless Cleaning

Targeted Delivery from Sprayable Systems

‘Spray & Stick’ – Effortless Cleaning Technology

Figure 4: Beads suspended in thickened formulation

Thickening with Surfactants

Figure 8: CrystaSense Sapphire rheology profiles

Optimal pH Range for CrystaSense Sapphire

• Glass Cleaner Thickened with CrystaSense Sapphire HC/HS/44

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