Oil gels, also called oleogels, are modified oils with highly versatile properties, offering endless possibilities for new uses and formulations in a variety of applications. As a mixture of styrenic block copolymers (SBC) and oils, oil gels can achieve high flexibility and transparency. Our manufacturing capabilities allow for narrow molecular specification ranges during production, making oil gels highly suitable in sensitive applications requiring high-quality consistency.
Oil gels have a minimum amount of 80 percent oil, and the final gel form can be either liquid or solid. In most cases, the final form can be pumped or poured at ambient or elevated temperatures. Increasing the amount of polymeric gelling agent beyond 20 percent by weight generally reduces the formulation’s ability to process, pump and pour. In those cases, other processing technologies like compounding, extrusion and injection molding are recommended.
Features and Benefits
- Broad range of applications
- High formulation versatility
- Wide range of rheological profiles
- Suitable for highly-regulated applications
- Low viscosity for easy mixing and handling
- Compatible with variety of oils
- High clarity and transparency
- Excellent film forming properties
- Strong moisture resistance
- FDA coverage on most polymers
- High stability and consistency
- Can be made tacky or non-tacky
- Ability to be crosslinked for thermoset gels
- Can be foamed