3. Conclusion

When it comes to using polymer solutions for their thickening properties, it's easy to see that it's in your best interests to work with polymers of high molar mass, rather rigid and in a good solvent (R _F and α high ⇒ C * and C ** low) in order to obtain a maximum viscosity/concentration ratio. This is typically the objective that is achieved in the agro-food or petroleum fields with aqueous solutions of poly-saccharides such as schizophyllane, xanthan or carboxy-methylcellulose, which are polymers characterized by high molar mass and high chain rigidity (see 2.1.5