Why is Gum Ghatti used for oil emulsions in fiberglass and rock wool production?

Gum Ghatti’s ability to stabilize emulsions, enhance viscosity, form effective dust-binding films, hydrophobic characteristics, and compatibility with other ingredients of the binder mix, along with its natural and biodegradable nature, makes it an essential component for creating stable and effective oil-in-water emulsions for dust-binding purposes in Rock, Mineral, and Glass wool production.

1. Emulsifying Properties: Gum Ghatti has excellent emulsifying properties. It helps stabilize the oil droplets within the water phase, preventing them from coalescing and separating. This is crucial for maintaining a consistent and homogenous emulsion, ensuring that the oil, which is the active dust-binding component, remains evenly distributed throughout the water phase.

2. Viscosity Enhancement: Gum Ghatti increases the viscosity of the aqueous phase. A higher contributes to a more stable emulsion by slowing the movement and coalescence of oil droplets. Furthermore, this also aids in ensuring a uniform and controlled application when the emulsion is sprayed or applied to a surface.

3. Film-Forming Ability: Gum Ghatti forms a thin film when the emulsion is applied and dries on a surface. This film traps and holds dust particles, reducing their airborne spread. The film formed is not overly thick or sticky, which is beneficial for not significantly altering the texture or appearance of the Rockwool and glass wool surface.

5. Compatibility with Other Ingredients: Gum Ghatti is the best-in-class stabilizer for its compatibility with a wide range of binder mix ingredients, which makes it suitable for use across different client formulations. It can work effectively in different geographies, including countries with hard water and extreme climates, without causing undesirable reactions or reducing the effectiveness of the emulsion.

6. Natural and Biodegradable: Being a natural polysaccharide, Gum Ghatti is natural, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. This is particularly advantageous in applications where a bio-based polymer is required.

In Summary, Gum Ghatti is the best-suited emulsifier and stabilizer for oil emulsion used in rock wool and fiberglass production.