Starch Ethers

Starch ethers enhance workability and improve the application properties of dry-mixed building products. They are recommended to fine-tune the anti-sagging properties, workability and consistency of dry mortars such as tile cements, plasters and renders and to increase the yield and water demand of these systems.

Stargel starch ethers are modified starches derived from potato, corn, tapioca, and wheat. They can be used for plasters (to improve stability and facilitate screeding), tile adhesives (to prevent tiles from getting dislodged), filling compounds (to improve the gliding properties for screeding and to prolong the open time), and as thickeners in paint systems.

Function & Properties of Starch Ethers

Thickening

Starch ethers strengthen the consistency of materials which are based on hydraulic binders resulting from a distinctive impact on the rheological behaviour of the binding matrix in water. Particularly the flow characteristics, the yielding point as well as the water demand of the various formulations are enhanced by Stargel®. With the appropriate application of the Stargel® types, materials including renders or tile adhesive show significantly high non-sag properties.

Adjustment of the flow characteristics

As a result of the impact on the flow properties, the structural viscosity of the suspensions and the time dependent flow properties, such as thixotropy or rheopexy, can be adapted to the desired application as well as processing technique. With the selection of the right Stargel® type and the appropriate dosage, the workability of renders and tile adhesives can be optimized.

Compatibility with other components 

Stargel® products are compatible with commonly used aggregates and additives. Stargel® improves the efficiency of the additives and significantly reduces the required quantities. The product properties are resulting in an increase of the water retention, enhanced adhesion and optimized workability. In general, the Stargel® products show low influence on the reactivity of the hydraulic binder (cement, gypsum, lime).

Calcium sensitivity of the Starch Ether

Akin to other technical products based on polysaccharides, which are categorized amongst Polyhydroxyl-Polymers, the Stargel® starch ethers, may exhibit a certain level of sensitivity towards polyvalent cations, such as calcium, with regards to the solution rate and the peak viscosity. Such sensitivity can be related to the quantity of Stargel® used, the interdependence to the type of polyvalent cations, the pH and in addition the type of Stargel®. In general, Stargel® products exhibit a lower sensitivity towards calcium-ions at higher pH levels in comparison to other starch products.