| abstract |
Thickeners, preferably galactomannans, in aqueous solutions or slurries, e.g., water gel explosives, oil well drilling muds, and hydraulic fracturing fluids, are stabilized against thermal degradation by incorporating iodide and/or iodate ions in the solution or slurry. The preferred stabilizer is the iodide ion introduced into the fluid by dissolving an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal iodide, or ammonium or alkyl-substituted ammonium iodide, in the aqueous phase. |