ACID THICKNER
Product code RXSOL-19-1999-025
Viscosity Builder for Toilet Cleaner
Available packing: 25 Kgs. 50 Kgs.
Description
Acid Thickener Rx is a nonionic surfactant designed to build viscosity in acid media. Acid Thickener Rx surfactant may be used alone in hydrochloric acid, or in combination with sodium chloride (salt) when used with other acids (such as phosphoric, sulfuric, hydrofluoric, citric, oxalic, etc.) Varying the use level of Acid Thickener surfactant (and salt) will vary the viscosity build. Acid Thickener Rx is a versitle, broad spectrum non phenolic biocide & Fungicide for leather, paper, paint, textile,wood and water treatment , free from penta - chlorophenate.
RXSOL Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
RXSOL Acid Thickener – HCl Toilet Cleaner & Descaling Gel
Product Name: RXSOL Acid Thickener Product Category: Acid-Compatible Surfactant Thickener Chemical Nature: Cationic / Non-Ionic Surfactant Blend Application: Hydrochloric Acid Toilet Cleaner, Acidic Descaling Gel, Sanitary Cleaner and Industrial Acid Cleaning Formulations Product Code: To be assigned Physical Form: Liquid Concentrate
Product Description
RXSOL Acid Thickener is a specialty surfactant-based viscosity modifier developed for manufacturing hydrochloric acid-based toilet cleaners, bathroom descalers and industrial acid cleaning gels.
The product is designed to increase the viscosity of compatible acidic cleaning formulations, improving adhesion to vertical surfaces and extending the contact time between the cleaning solution and mineral deposits.
Unlike conventional detergent thickeners, which may lose viscosity or become unstable in strongly acidic solutions, RXSOL Acid Thickener is intended for use in hydrochloric acid formulations after appropriate compatibility and stability testing.
The thickened acidic formulation helps improve the removal of calcium carbonate deposits, lime scale, rust stains and mineral contamination from compatible acid-resistant surfaces.
Application
It is an ethoxylate for preparing high viscosity acid solutions and thus is commonly known as acid thickener. It is most predominantly used in preparing liquid toilet cleaner based on hydrochloric acid.
Applications
Application
Function
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Gel formation and vertical surface cling
HCl-Based Descaler
Viscosity improvement and prolonged contact
Bathroom Scale Remover
Improved application to acid-resistant surfaces
Ceramic Sanitary Cleaner
Controlled flow and mineral deposit removal
Industrial Descaling Gel
Thickening of compatible acidic formulations
Tile Cleaning Chemical
Removal of mineral deposits from acid-resistant tiles
Marine Descaling Gel
Localized cleaning of compatible metal surfaces
Material compatibility: Hydrochloric acid can aggressively attack many metals, cementitious materials, natural stone and certain coatings. A thickener does not make HCl safe for these surfaces. Metal descaling requires a separately validated corrosion inhibitor system.
Precautions
100 KG Pilot Batch
Formulation A – Acid-Compatible Surfactant Thickener Concentrate
This is an experimental formulation based on an acid-compatible cationic surfactant and non-ionic co-surfactant system. It is not a verified commercial RXSOL formula.
Raw Material
Percentage
Quantity for 100 kg
Cetrimonium Chloride (CTAC, 30% Active)
45.0%
45.0 kg
Lauryl Dimethyl Amine Oxide (30% Active)
25.0%
25.0 kg
C12–15 Alcohol Ethoxylate (7 EO)
5.0%
5.0 kg
Propylene Glycol
5.0%
5.0 kg
Demineralized Water
20.0%
20.0 kg
Total
100%
100 kg
Estimated surfactant active matter: Approximately 26%, assuming the alcohol ethoxylate is 100% active.
Function of Each Ingredient
Cetrimonium Chloride (CTAC)
A cationic surfactant that can participate in viscosity development in selected acidic surfactant systems. Its performance depends on the formulation and counterion environment.
Lauryl Dimethyl Amine Oxide
A surfactant that becomes predominantly protonated under strongly acidic conditions. It may contribute to wetting and viscosity development when paired with compatible surfactants.
C12–15 Alcohol Ethoxylate
Provides additional wetting and helps improve the distribution of cleaning solution across contaminated surfaces.
Propylene Glycol
Acts as a coupling solvent and formulation aid.
Demineralized Water
Serves as the carrier for the liquid concentrate.
Manufacturing Procedure – 100 KG
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Charge approximately 15 kg of demineralized water into a clean, compatible mixing vessel.
-
Start slow to moderate agitation.
-
Add propylene glycol and mix until uniform.
-
Slowly add CTAC 30% while maintaining agitation.
-
Add lauryl dimethyl amine oxide gradually.
-
Add the alcohol ethoxylate and continue mixing until homogeneous.
-
Add the remaining demineralized water to achieve a total batch weight of 100 kg.
-
Mix until uniform and allow entrained air to dissipate.
-
Check appearance, viscosity, specific gravity and phase stability.
-
Package in compatible, labelled containers.
Processing temperature: Preferably 20–35°C, subject to raw-material handling requirements.
Do not add concentrated hydrochloric acid during the manufacture of this thickener concentrate. Acid compatibility should be evaluated separately using controlled laboratory trials.
Example Application: Thickened HCl Toilet Cleaner
100 KG Development Formulation – Approximately 10% HCl
Raw Material
Quantity
Hydrochloric Acid 33%
30.3 kg
RXSOL Acid Thickener (Formulation A)
3.0 kg
Acid-Compatible Fragrance
Optional, validated quantity
Acid-Compatible Colour
Optional, validated quantity
Demineralized Water
Balance to 100 kg
Total
100 kg
The formulation contains approximately 10% active HCl by weight before considering impurities and assay variations.
Important: This is a composition for controlled laboratory development, not a validated production recipe. The proposed surfactant system may not achieve the desired gel viscosity at this acid concentration.
Acid Mixing Safety
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive and can release irritating hydrogen chloride vapours.
Manufacturing requires acid-compatible equipment, local exhaust ventilation, appropriate PPE and trained personnel. Always add acid slowly to water under controlled conditions; never add water to concentrated acid.
Do not mix hydrochloric acid cleaners with sodium hypochlorite, bleach or other oxidizing cleaning products because toxic chlorine gas may be released.
RXSOL Technical Product BulletinAcid Thickener for Hydrochloric Acid Cleaning Formulations
Working Principle
RXSOL Acid Thickener is designed to modify the rheological behaviour of acid-based cleaning solutions.
Selected cationic and protonated amphoteric surfactants can form organized aggregates in acidic media. Under suitable conditions, these structures can increase viscosity and improve surface cling.
However, strong acid concentration, chloride ion concentration and surfactant ratio strongly influence aggregate formation. The result may range from a low-viscosity liquid to a viscous solution or an unstable separated system.
Consequently, the viscosity of the final acid cleaner must be demonstrated experimentally rather than inferred from the thickener composition alone.
Quality Control Specifications for Final Acid Cleaner
Parameter
Suggested Development Target
Appearance
Uniform liquid or gel
Free HCl
As per product formulation
Viscosity at 25°C
500–3,000 mPa·s
Phase Separation
None under validated storage conditions
Surface Cling
Satisfactory on reference vertical surface
Cleaning Performance
Effective removal of standardized calcium carbonate deposits
Low Temperature Stability
No unacceptable separation
Accelerated Stability
No unacceptable change in viscosity or appearance
Packaging Compatibility
No leakage, deformation or significant degradation
Recommended Performance Testing
Acid Compatibility: Evaluate the thickener at 5%, 10% and 15% HCl concentrations.
Viscosity: Measure using a Brookfield viscometer at 25°C with a documented spindle and speed.
Vertical Surface Cling: Apply a standardized quantity to a reference acid-resistant surface and measure runoff.
Storage Stability: Evaluate samples at ambient and elevated temperatures using suitable sealed, compatible laboratory containers.
Cleaning Efficiency: Compare calcium carbonate removal under controlled conditions against an unthickened acid cleaner.
Corrosion Compatibility: Conduct material-specific testing for any metal cleaning application.