Now featuring a smoother, creamier texture for better dispersability, Gel Plex is a 100% solids, soy oil-based compound developed for use as a thickening agent in most paste inks. Gel Plex uses surface-treated montmorillonite clay as its active ingredient. The recommended dosage of Gel Plex for best results is between 2% and 6%, depending on the amount of gellation needed and the amount of resinous material in the ink to be modified. More than 6% Gel Plex may reduce gloss levels noticeably in high gloss inks. Gel Plex eliminates the need to store messy powdered thickening agents and will do the same job. Best results are obtained with quickset and heatset inks as well as high resin content business forms inks and newsinks. For thickening inks that require a harder film, please use Gel Plex OMPE.

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Although Gel Plex is a "stir-in" compound, the maximum thickening value of Gel Plex is obtained with high shear. The more mixing energy that is used to incorporate Gel Plex, the more thickening is obtained in a shorter period of time.  Adding 0.2 -0.5% tap water boosts Gel Plex's gelling action. Gel Plex increases viscosity 20-25%. Gel Plex products produce a gentle gelling action that takes about 24 hours to maximize so batches containing Gel Plex won't "freeze" during mixing. 

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Gel Plex is an excellent ink/water balance agent. Inks that display scumming and stripping tendencies can many times be helped with the addition of Gel Plex. Inks that are overemulsified by fountain solution can be helped by Gel Plex, too. Inks with excess misting tendency will benefit by the addition of Gel Plex as well.

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SPECIFICATIONS:

Active thickener type: surface-treated Montmorollinite Clay

Active Content: 45%

Solids Content: 100%

Vehicle type: Soya Oil & Microcrystalline Wax

Appearance: Soft, short-flow light brown paste