Crackling Titanium Dioxide

[Donna]

I've been having this problem off and on.
When I've used TD in my CP soaps I oftentimes get a crackle effect....not always, but enough
to make me a little crazy.
I use the water soluble T.D. and mix it with a very small amount of water before adding it at a light trace.
Could it be the different FO's play games with the TD, should I be using an oil soluble TD, or should I mix
it with Glycerine?
Perhaps it's something I haven't thought of.
It seems to happen whether I soap at a high or low temps.

Am I missing something?

 

[Relle]

I've mixed my TD with oil and with water and glycerin, found that when I added it at trace no matter how much I blended I ended up with streaks, so now if I need the whole batch with TD in it I put in in with the oils before adding the lye and it works perfectly. When I have to add to only part of the batch I do add at trace and beat it within an inch of its life. That might work for you if you try it. I soap at RT, I'm not sure what the crackle effect is - could be the FO's heating up.

 

[Donna]

Thanks Relle,

I thought I had beat the begeebes out of it, but will try to beat a little more.
May I ask, what kind of TD are you using?
It's funny, that it doesn't happen all of the time, which led me to think it was the FOs.
I'll try mixing longer and adding it to the oils.
Thank you heaps!

 

[Relle]

Thanks Relle,

I thought I had beat the begeebes out of it, but will try to beat a little more.
May I ask, what kind of TD are you using?
quote]
Its stubborn that stuff, I find that I mix the TD with oil for ages before adding to get all the powder wet. The TD I get here in Oz doesn't have on it whether to mix with oil or water, I usually do oil but have been trying water lately and it still works OK.

 

[AndreaMakesSoap]

I tend to mix my TD with a bit of water, but I try to do it before I even make my lye solution. The longer it sits to 'absorb' the water, and the more you beat it, the better it turns out. I haven't had a problem with it recently.

 

[soapcakes]

Do you let your soaps gel? If I let my t.d. soaps gel, they crackle...so I tend to put the soaps with t.d. in the freezer. So far, I haven't had any more crackling.

 

[Dennis]

What do you use to mix your td?

 

[Donna]

Thanks all of you!

Andrea, I also use water to mix my TD at the very beginning. It sits and absorbs until I add it at light trace.

Soapcakes, I do let it gel. Perhaps that may be a clue! Will try the freezer next go around.

Dennis, I use water and blend with a stick blender when I add the TD mix to the soap at light trace.
Thanks for the link to the tutorial.
I't early and I have to scoot, but will check it out when I get home this evening.

You all have given me some hints that may work. I'll clear out some freezer space!

 

[Donna]

It's me again!

Dennis, did sneak a peak at the tutorial and realized it was a general tutorial.
My mistake, but it never hurts to refresh!

Thanks,
d

 

[judymoody]

I premix mine in oil in a little bottle and let it sit. I give it a good shake before using it and it distributes evenly. I also use it sparingly and so far I haven't had chalkiness or streaking. Generally 1/2 t PPO or less.

 

[Donna]

Hi Judy,

I'm assuming you have oil soluble TD. Should I order oil soluble? I have quite a bit of water soluble.

Since I use it so much, it would be great to have some ready to go.

Thanks for the hint. I am determined to get this right.

 

[Donna]

Well! Perhaps old dogs CAN learn new tricks.

I (hopefully) posted the pics of my first attempt to Hanger Swirl. Not sure if it was more difficult to make the soap or post the pics.
You can see the crackles in the white part of the soap.
I'm happy that I at least got some swirls, but there is much more room for improvement. I'm making 2 lb. batches,
until I get it right.
This is so much fun!
My friends and family are either very clean or very dirty people, because they have all been such good sports about trying all the new
soap projects.



D. Cornett....I found the message you sent me in Jan. re: posting pics. A huge thank you!