Abstract: Aqueous-based functional products or corrosive products such as cleansers, household products, commercial products, and personal care products are thickened or viscosity-modified by the addition of at least a small, but effective, amount of at least one crystalline mixed metal hydroxide conforming substantially to the formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+n.a) A.sub.a.sup.n.xH.sub.2 Owhere m is zero to one, D is a divalent metal, d is from zero to 4, T is a trivalent metal, A represents at least one anion or negative-valence radial of valence n, where n is 1 or more, (m+2d+3+n.a) is equal to or greater than 3, (m+d) is greater than zero, and xH.sub.2 O represents excess waters of hydration.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising cement and a mixed metal layered hydroxide which demonstrates thixotropic properties. The mixed metal layered hydroxide is essentially monolayer. An example of such a layered hydroxide useful in this composition is magnesium aluminum hydroxychloride. These cement compositions are thixotropic and shear thinning, harden without settling and do not dewater upon standing.