hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose for Brazil
hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose for Brazil: Benefits and Applications
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, also known as HEMC, is a cellulose ether widely used in construction and building materials due to its exceptional properties. From cement-based mortars to wallpaper adhesives, HEMC provides better workability, uniformity, and stability to various applications.
HEMC is a water-soluble polymer derived from natural cellulose through chemical modification. Its unique hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups make it an excellent thickener, binder, and lubricant for a variety of materials.
Brazil may be one of the largest cement producers in the world, but it still faces challenges in terms of construction quality, durability, and sustainability. HEMC can help address these challenges by providing enhanced rheological performance, water retention, and adhesive strength to cement-based products.
HEMC is compatible with various types of cement, including Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Pozzolanic Portland Cement (PPC), and Slag Cement (SC). It can improve the workability of dry mixtures and prevent sagging, bleeding, and cracking during application and curing.
In addition to cement-based products, HEMC can also be used in other construction materials such as plaster, render, mortar, and grout. It improves the homogeneity and cohesiveness of wet mixtures and reduces the risk of segregation and shrinkage.
HEMC is also suitable for non-construction applications such as personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food. It can act as a stabilizer, emulsifier, and thickener for various products, including lotions, gels, ointments, pills, and sauces.
The quality and performance of HEMC depend on various factors such as the degree of substitution, viscosity, and purity. Therefore, it is essential to choose a reliable supplier that can provide consistent and high-quality HEMC.
As a leading HEMC supplier in the United States, Pakistan, Singapore, Rwanda, and the Philippines, we offer a range of grades and specifications to meet different needs and requirements. Our HEMC products are manufactured in advanced facilities under strict quality control and comply with international standards.
If you are looking for a hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose for Brazil, please contact us for more information and samples. We are always ready to provide expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness to help you succeed.
Faq
What is the main use of 1-Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)?
For putty powder, a viscosity of around 100,000 is generally sufficient, while mortar requires a higher viscosity, around 150,000, to be effective. Moreover, the most important function of HPMC is water retention, followed by thickening. In putty powder, as long as it has good water retention and a lower viscosity (70,000-80,000), it can still be used. Of course, a higher viscosity provides relatively better water retention. However, when the viscosity exceeds 100,000, the impact of viscosity on water retention becomes less significant.
What are the main raw materials of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)?
The cold-water soluble type of HPMC is surface-treated with formaldehyde, allowing it to disperse rapidly in cold water but not truly dissolve. It only dissolves when the viscosity increases. The thermal soluble type does not undergo surface treatment with formaldehyde. A higher dosage of formaldehyde results in faster dispersion but slower viscosity increase, while a lower dosage has the opposite effect.
What are the other names for Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC)?
MC stands for methyl cellulose, which is a cellulose ether made from purified cotton through alkali treatment using chloromethane as the etherification agent, followed by a series of reactions. The degree of substitution is generally 1.6-2.0, and different degrees of substitution result in different solubilities. It belongs to non-ionic cellulose ethers.
1. Methyl cellulose's water retention depends on the amount added, viscosity, particle size, and dissolution rate. Generally, a higher amount, smaller particle size, and higher viscosity result in better water retention. Among these cellulose ethers, methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose have higher water retention.
2. Methyl cellulose is soluble in cold water but has difficulty dissolving in hot water. Its aqueous solution is stable within the pH range of 3-12. It has good compatibility with starch, guar gum, and many surfactants. Gelation occurs when the temperature reaches the gelation temperature.
3. Temperature variation significantly affects the water retention of methyl cellulose. Generally, higher temperatures result in poorer water retention. If the temperature of the mortar exceeds 40°C, the water retention of methyl cellulose decreases significantly, which adversely affects the workability of the mortar.
4. Methyl cellulose has a noticeable impact on the workability and adhesion of mortar. "Adhesion" refers to the adhesion force between the worker's application tool and the wall substrate, i.e., the shear resistance of the mortar. A higher adhesion leads to higher shear resistance, requiring more force from the worker during application and resulting in poorer workability. Among cellulose ether products, methyl cellulose has a moderate level of adhesion.
HPMC stands for Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose. It is a non-ionic cellulose ether derived from refined cotton through alkalization, using epichlorohydrin and chloromethane as etherification agents in a series of reactions. The degree of substitution is generally between 1.2 and 2.0. Its properties vary with the ratio of methoxy content to hydroxypropyl content.
(1) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose is soluble in cold water, but it can be difficult to dissolve in hot water. However, its gelation temperature in hot water is significantly higher than that of methyl cellulose. Its solubility in cold water is greatly improved compared to methyl cellulose.
(2) The viscosity of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose depends on its molecular weight, with higher molecular weight leading to higher viscosity. Temperature also affects its viscosity, with viscosity decreasing as temperature rises. However, its viscosity is less affected by temperature compared to methyl cellulose. Its solution is stable when stored at room temperature.
(3) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose exhibits stability in acids and alkalis, and its aqueous solution is highly stable within the pH range of 2 to 12. It is minimally affected by sodium hydroxide and lime water, although alkalis can accelerate its dissolution and slightly increase its viscosity. It demonstrates stability in general salts, but at higher salt concentrations, the viscosity of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose solution tends to increase.
(4) The water retention capacity of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose depends on factors such as the dosage and viscosity, and at the same dosage, its water retention rate is higher than that of methyl cellulose.
(5) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose can be mixed with water-soluble high molecular weight compounds to form homogeneous solutions with higher viscosity. Examples include polyvinyl alcohol, starch ethers, and plant gums.
(6) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose exhibits higher adhesion in mortar construction compared to methyl cellulose.
(7) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose has better resistance to enzymatic degradation compared to methyl cellulose, and its solution is less likely to undergo enzymatic degradation.
What are the differences between HPMC and MC?
In simple terms, "non-ionic" refers to a substance that does not ionize in water. Ionization refers to the process in which electrolytes dissolve in specific solvents (such as water or alcohol) and dissociate into freely moving charged ions. For example, table salt we consume daily—sodium chloride (NaCl)—when dissolved in water, ionizes and produces freely moving sodium ions with a positive charge and chloride ions with a negative charge. In other words, when HPMC is placed in water, it does not dissociate into charged ions but exists in molecular form.