Comparing HPMC with MC, HEC, CMC

Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC)

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In recent years, the production and usage of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) have been increasing rapidly. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is a non-ionic cellulose mixed ether made from refined cotton by alkalization treatment, using propylene oxide and chloromethane as etherizers, through various chemical reactions. The substitution degree of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is generally 1.2~2.0, and its properties are different by the ratio of methoxy content and hydroxypropyl content. Specifically, you can learn about the &#;Effect of methoxy content and hydroxypropoxy content on HPMC&#;.

1. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is easily soluble in cold water, and will encounter difficulties when dissolved in hot water. Its gelation temperature in hot water is significantly higher than that of methyl cellulose. The dissolution in cold water is also greatly improved compared to methyl cellulose.
2. The viscosity of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is related to its molecular weight, large molecular weight is high viscosity. Temperature also affects its viscosity, and the viscosity decreases when the temperature rises. However, its viscosity is less affected by temperature than that of methyl cellulose. Its solution is stable when stored at room temperature.
3. The water retention of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose depends on its additive amount, viscosity, etc., and the water retention rate is higher than that of methyl cellulose under the same additive amount.
4. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is stable to acid and alkali, and its aqueous solution is very stable in the range of pH=2~12. Caustic soda and lime water do not have much effect on its performance, but alkali can accelerate its dissolution rate. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose has stability to general salts, but when the concentration of salt solution is high, the viscosity of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose solution will have a tendency to increase.
5. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose can be mixed with water-soluble polymer compounds to become uniform, higher viscosity solution. Such as polyvinyl alcohol, vegetable gum, etc.
6. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose has better enzyme resistance than methyl cellulose, and the possibility of enzymatic degradation of its solution is lower than that of methyl cellulose. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose adhesion to mortar construction is higher than methyl cellulose.

Methyl cellulose (MC)

Methyl cellulose is refined cotton treated with alkali and then made into cellulose ether through a series of reactions using methylene chloride as the etherifying agent. The general degree of substitution is 1.6~2.0, and the solubility varies with the degree of substitution. It belongs to non-ionic cellulose ether.

1. Methyl cellulose is soluble in cold water, hot water solubility will encounter difficulties, and its aqueous solution is very stable in the range of pH=3~12. It is compatible with starch, guanidinium gum, etc. and many surfactants. When the temperature reaches the gelation temperature, gelation will occur.
2. The water retention of methyl cellulose depends on its addition amount, viscosity, particle fineness and dissolution speed. Generally the larger the addition amount, the smaller the fineness and the larger the viscosity, the higher the water retention rate. The viscosity is not directly proportional to the water retention rate. The dissolution rate mainly depends on the degree of surface modification of cellulose particles and particle fineness. Among the several cellulose ethers introduced in this paper, methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose have higher water retention rates.
3. Changes in temperature can seriously affect the water retention of methyl cellulose. Generally the higher the temperature, the worse the water retention. If the mortar temperature exceeds 40 &#;, the water retention of methyl cellulose will be significantly worse, seriously affecting the constructability of mortar.
4. Methyl cellulose has a significant impact on the construction and adhesion of mortar. The &#;adhesion&#; refers to the adhesion between the applicator and the wall substrate, i.e. the shear resistance of the mortar. Adhesion is large, the shear resistance of the mortar is large, the force required by the workers in the process of application is also large, and the constructability of the mortar is poor. In the cellulose ether products methyl cellulose adhesion is at a medium level.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)

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Hydroxyethyl cellulose is made from refined cotton treated with alkali and reacted in the presence of acetone with ethylene oxide as the etherifying agent. Its substitution degree is generally 1.5~2.0. It has strong hydrophilicity and is easy to absorb moisture.

1. Hydroxyethyl cellulose can be dissolved in cold water, hot water is more difficult to dissolve. Its solution is stable at high temperature and does not have gelation. It can be used for a longer time in mortar under high temperatures, but the water retention is lower than methyl cellulose.
2. hydroxyethyl cellulose has the stability to general acid and alkali, alkali can accelerate its dissolution, and can slightly increase viscosity, its dispersion in water than methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is slightly worse.
3. Hydroxyethyl cellulose has good performance on mortar anti-hanging, but the retardation time of cement is longer.
4. The performance of hydroxyethyl cellulose produced by some Chinese enterprises is significantly lower than that of methyl cellulose due to high water content and high ash content.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)

Carboxymethyl cellulose is made from natural fiber (cotton, etc.) after alkali treatment, with sodium monochloroacetate as the etherifying agent, after a series of reaction processing and made of ionic cellulose ether. Its substitution degree is generally 0.4~1.4, and the performance is greatly affected by the substitution degree.

1. Carboxymethyl cellulose is more hygroscopic and will contain more water when stored in general conditions.
2. Carboxymethyl cellulose aqueous solution will not produce gel, with the increase in temperature and viscosity decline, the temperature exceeds 50 &#;, the viscosity will be irreversible.
3. The stability of carboxymethyl cellulose is greatly affected by pH. Generally it can be used in gypsum-based mortar, not in cement-based mortar. At high alkalinity, it will lose viscosity.
4. The water retention of carboxymethyl cellulose is much lower than methyl cellulose. It has retardation effect on gypsum-based mortar and reduces its strength. However, the price of carboxymethyl cellulose is significantly lower than methyl cellulose.

HPMC (Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose) is a water-soluble polymer made from cellulose modified with hydroxypropyl groups. It is used as a thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. HPMC is produced by treating methyl cellulose with propylene oxide. The end result is a white, odorless and tasteless powder. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is very similar to methyl cellulose, but it is more soluble in water and has a higher viscosity. HPMC has many uses, such as a thickener (to replace cornstarch), a stabilizer (to prevent ingredients from separating or settling), a binder (to hold ingredients together), or an emulsifier (to mix two substances that do not dissolve well into each other).