Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A dispersing agent for particles in aqueous media comprises a copolymer formed from ethyleneically unsaturated monomers including a water-soluble monomer and a monomer carying a pendant group A.sub.m B.sub.n A.sub.p R in which B is ethyleneoxy and n is at least 2, m and p are each generally 0 and R is a hydrophobic group, generally a C.sub.12-18 alkyl group or alkaryl group. The polymers generally have molecular weights in the range 500-100,000. The dispersants are particularly useful for suspending hydrophobic particles in aqueous media, for example to produce coal slurries, or to suspend hydrophilic particles in aqueous media having high electrolyte concentrations, for example for producing paints and, particularly, drilling muds formed in sea water.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim