CERAMICS: FINNFIX is a well known additives in different segments of the ceramic industry. The viscosifying, plasticizing and suspending properties of these products make them ideal ingredients for consistent, predictable performance.
FINNFIX CMC is an excellent rheology modifier for glazes and engobes. Via the available FINNFIX CMC grades, the viscosity can be selected to suit performance needs. A certain level of viscosity is needed to prevent sedimentation, however, too high viscosity will cause an uneven surface (although sometimes desired). FINNFIX CMC is also known to be a very good water retention agent. FINNFIX CMC retains the water in the glaze, resulting in a very controlled drying process. The controlled drying of the glaze will minimize glaze defects and thus production losses.
FINNFIX CMC is used in brick extrusion to improve plasticity and green strength. In this way FINNFIX prevents production losses due to cracking and breaking of the bricks and clinkers. FINNFIX is also used to adjust clay viscosity when the clay is too wet. FINNFIX can be used in electrical porcelain as temporary binder/plasticizer and in tableware as plasticizer/viscosifier.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING PRODUCTS
FINNFIX grades of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are excellent rheology modifiers and can be used in a range of applications to thicken, control water and improve functionality. Some typical applications include latex-based plasters and putties, filling compounds, coatings and adhesives. The high water retention of the products compared to other cellulose derivatives provides excellent open time and workability. The dissolution characteristics make both products easy to handle for both ready-made plasters and putties as well as dry mixes.
MINING
- FROTH FLOTATION Cost-Efficient Separation FINNFIX products have been successfully used as selective depressants to prevent unwanted gangue minerals from floating. This facilitates more cost-effective recovery of the valuable minerals: improvement of the concentrate grade, resulting in reduced smelting operation energy costs. FINNFIX CMC products aid the separation by selective depression of the gangue material. They induce a lower surface tension by creating a hydrophilic surface, thus preventing the gangue minerals from adhering to the bubbles, which selectively collect the hydrophobic valuable minerals. In addition to the depressive function, FINNFIX can provide an effective dispersant function for gangue slimes. The latter, if left untreated, can coat the valuable components, preventing their flotation.
- PELLETIZATION: Binding and Improved Green Strength Iron ore pellets are produced for easier handling and transportation. Pelletization also decreases the amount of energy needed in furnaces. FINNFIX CMC products are used for binding iron ore pellets and ensuring high green strength of the pellets during the pelletization process. FINNFIX CMC is an economically attractive alternative to commonly used bentonite and hydrated lime. FINNFIX products offer truly multi-functional advantages in pelletization processes versus alternative materials.
- Much lower dosage, when compared to non-organic binders, especially bentonite (typically an order of magnitude lower), translating into higher purity of the pellets (i.e., higher iron content), less costly logistics (transport and handling), and lower energy consumption.
- Agglomerating iron ore with FINNFIX organic binders leads to a reduction in silica content pellets. The anionic nature of FINNFIX products makes them able to absorb huge quantities of water: pellets then be formed uniformly, with high resilient strength.
