powder, water soluble binder. Uses and properties include: Explosives industry as waterproofing agent mixed with ammonium nitrate, nitroglycerine, etc.; Guar gum is also economical because it has almost eight times the water-thickening ability of other agents (e.g. cornstarch) and only a small quantity is needed for producing sufficient viscosities. It is very thxotropic above 1% concentration, but below 0.3%, the thixotropy is slight. Excellent choice for use when granulating mixtures. A small quantity added to other water soluble binders will increase mixture viscosity and grain strength. Because less is required, costs are reduced; Guar gum is more soluble than locust bean gum due to its extra galactose branch points. Unlike locust bean gum, it is not self-gelling. Either borax or calcium can cross-link guar gum, causing it to gel. In water, it is nonionic and hydrocolloidal. It is not affected by ionic strength or pH, but will degrade at extreme pH and temperature (e.g. pH 3 at 50 °C). It remains stable in solution over pH range 5–7.