Xanthan Gum in Chemical Applications

Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide widely used for its thickening and stabilizing effect on emulsions and suspensions, particularly in the Food industry. It is also used in many chemical applications such as adhesives, ceramic glazes, drilling muds, foundry compounds, latex emulsions, lubricants, paints and coatings, paper, pesticides, textiles etc. Xanthan gum can be dispersed into hot or cold systems, and many grades are available, including some designed for easy dispersion. Xanthan gum powders have a strong tendency to form lumps when added to water and a number of dispersion and hydration methods are used to try to overcome this. These vary according to the scale of production, other ingredients used etc. but include: * Slow addition of the powder into the vortex in an agitated vessel. Once dispersed mixing continues to allow the product to hydrate. * Xanthan gum may be premixed with other powdered ingredients which reduces the formation of agglomerates by separating the particles. * Similarly the gum may be dispered into non-aqueous phase liquids such as oils, alcohols or glycols. This is then added to the aqueous phase allowing the gum to hydrate