Flexible gel ice packs are reusable packs of aqueous gel that remain flexible when in the frozen state. These packs are used to keep things cold in a variety of applications ranging from food packaging and shipping to pain relief and first aid. While the applications can differ greatly, all flexible gel ice packs contain three main ingredients: water, a freeze point depressant, and a thickener that ultimately determine their physical properties.
Freeze Point Depressants
Water soluble freezing point depressants like glycols, salts, or alcohols are used in gel ice pack formulations to allow for gels to be cooled well below the freezing temperature of water while remaining flexible. The type and amount of freezing point depressant added to the gel depends on the intended eutectic point and end use temperature for the flexible gel pack.
Thickeners
A thickener must be added that can increase the viscosity of the aqueous medium in the flexible gel pack in order to meet the demands of the end use application and the expectations of the consumer. There are many types of thickeners that can be used to make water based gels. The type and amount of thickener used determines the viscosity and physical properties of the gel ice pack.
Thickeners Used in Gel Packs
There are two main type of thickeners used in flexible gel packs; superabsorbent polymers and cellulose ethers like carboxymethyl cellulose. These two families of thickeners provide advantages and disadvantages when used in flexible gel pack applications.
Superabsorbent Polymers
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) have a high affinity for water and are used to absorb large quantities of water to form a gel. Most superabsorbent polymers are composed of sodium polyacrylate and commercially available in granular form. The amount of water absorbed by an SAP is dependent on the ionic concentration of the aqueous solution and the cross link density of the polyacrylate polymer. SAPs are used in gel packs when a lower viscosity, more "runny" consistency is required.
Advantages
Inexpensive
Highly efficient (absorbs up to 300 times its weight in water)
Forms gels quickly
Disadvantages
Gels will leak if gel pack is punctured
Sensitive to pH and ionic concentration
Not biodegradable
TEXTURECEL™ Cellulose Ethers
TEXTURECEL™ Cellulose Ethers are sodium carboxymethyl cellulose polymers that are highly efficient thickeners. High molecular weight TEXTURECEL™ carboxymethyl cellulose grades are ideal thickeners for flexible gel pack applications. Gels formed with TEXTURECEL™ carboxymethyl cellulose have a firm texture and will not leak if a pack is punctured or ruptured. Additionally, TEXTURECEL™ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose polymers have food contact approvals making them perfect for gel pack applications that are in close contact with food products.
Advantages
Gel will not leak if pack is punctured
Cellulose is natural and will biodegrade
Stable over a wide pH
Less sensitive to salt concentration
Disadvantages
More expensive than SAPs
Can be difficult to hydrate
TEXTURECEL™ Cellulose Ethers
TEXTURECEL™ Cellulose Ethers are sodium carboxymethyl cellulose polymers that are highly efficient thickeners. High molecular weight TEXTURECEL™ carboxymethyl cellulose grades are ideal thickeners for flexible gel pack applications. Gels formed with TEXTURECEL™ carboxymethyl cellulose have a firm texture and will not leak if a pack is punctured or ruptured. Additionally, TEXTURECEL™ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose polymers have food contact approvals making them perfect for gel pack applications that are in close contact with food products.
TEXTURECEL™ Grades for Gel Pack Applications
Selecting the appropriate grade of TEXTURECEL™ carboxymethyl cellulose depends on the desired physical properties of the gel pack. As a guideline, as molecular weight of the TEXTURECEL™ carboxymethyl cellulose polymer increases so does the viscosity of the corresponding solution. In some cases selecting the highest molecular weight grade available allows for a reduction in the amount of thickener required to achieve the desired gel consistency. Granular grades of TEXTURECEL™ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose are typically recommended over powder grades because they are easier to hydrate and form gels faster.
The amount of TEXTURECEL™ carboxymethyl cellulose required to formulate a gel for flexible gel packs varies depending on the desired consistency and physical properties of the gel, however, typical usage rates range from 0.5 - 3%. When using TEXTURECEL™ carboxymethyl cellulose as a thickener it is recommended to first fully disperse it in the water soluble freezing point depressant prior to hydrating with water. This will allow for a smooth gel to be formed that is free from any lumps. Once the gel is formed any other additives can be incorporated. The formulation listed below is typical of a hot or cold gel pack.
Component
Amount (wt.%)
Propylene Glycol
0.5 - 3
TEXTURECEL™
10 - 20
Water
80 - 90
Aluminum Sulfate
Quantum Satis
Contact us today to discuss your next flexible gel pack project and request a sample of TEXTURECEL™
.png)
