1.Introduction to hydroxyethyl cellulose
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Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) is a non-ionic water-soluble cellulose ether obtained by chemical modification of natural cellulose. HEC is widely used in coatings, construction, daily chemicals, oil fields, medicine and other fields with its excellent thickening, film-forming, moisturizing and suspending properties.
2.Properties and characteristics
Water solubility: Hydroxyethylcellulose is soluble in both cold and hot water, forming a clear or slightly turbid colloidal solution.
Thickening: It can significantly increase the viscosity of aqueous solution and has good rheological properties.
Stability: Good chemical stability, low sensitivity to acids, bases and salts.
Film Forming: Forms a clear, tough film after drying.
Moisturizing properties: Can effectively retain moisture and prevent moisture loss.
Biocompatibility: No irritation to human skin, good biodegradability.
3. Main application areas
3.1. Paint industry
Thickener: Used as a thickener in water-based coatings to provide suitable workability and leveling properties and prevent pigment settling.
Stabilizer: Prevents paint delamination and precipitation by adjusting the rheological properties of the paint.
3.2. Building materials
Cement mortar: Increase viscosity and sag resistance in cement mortar to improve construction performance and bonding strength.
Gypsum products: Used in gypsum slurries to provide excellent water retention and workability.
3.3. Daily chemicals
Detergent: Used as a thickener and stabilizer in shampoo, facial cleanser and other products to enhance product texture and usage experience.
Cosmetics: Used in lotions, gels and other products to provide stable structure and smooth texture.
3.4. Pharmaceutical field
Pharmaceutical preparations: used as binders and sustained-release materials for pharmaceutical tablets to improve drug stability and control release.
Ophthalmic products: Used in eye drops to provide appropriate viscosity and lubricity.
3.5. Oilfield industry
Drilling fluid: Used as a thickener in drilling fluid to improve the rheological properties and carrying capacity of the drilling fluid.
Fracturing fluid: Used in fracturing fluid to provide excellent viscosity and suspension to improve operating results.
4. How to use
4.1. Dissolution process
Dissolution medium: Hydroxyethyl cellulose is soluble in cold or hot water. Usually dissolves slowly in cold water but is effective.
Addition steps: Gradually add HEC to the stirring water to avoid clumping caused by adding too much at one time. First mix HEC with a small amount of water to form a paste, then gradually add the remaining water.
Stirring conditions: Use low-speed stirring to avoid bubbles caused by vigorous stirring. The mixing time depends on the specific needs, usually 30 minutes to 1 hour.
4.2. Preparation concentration
Coating Application: Typically used at concentrations of 0.2% to 1.0%.
Building Materials: Adjust to 0.2% to 0.5% as needed.
Daily chemicals: Concentration range is 0.5% to 2.0%.
Oilfield Industry: Typically 0.5% to 1.5%.
4.3. Precautions
Solution temperature: The best effect is to control the temperature at 20-40&#; during dissolution. Excessive temperatures may cause degradation.
PH value: The applicable pH range is 4-12. Pay attention to stability when using it in a strong acid or alkali environment.
Preservative treatment: HEC solutions stored for a long time need to be added with preservatives to prevent microbial growth.
4.4. Typical recipes
Coating formula: 80% water, 0.5% hydroxyethyl cellulose, 5% pigment, some additives, 15% filler.
Cement mortar formula: 65% water, 20% cement, 10% sand, 0.3% hydroxyethyl cellulose, 4.7% other additives.
5. Practical application cases
5.1. Water-based coatings:
Steps: Mix water and HEC under low-speed stirring. After HEC is completely dissolved, add pigments, additives and fillers.
Function: Increase the consistency of paint and improve fluidity and coverage during construction.
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5.2. Cement mortar:
Steps: Dissolve HEC in the water used to prepare the mortar. After fully dissolving, add cement and sand and mix evenly.
Function: Improve the water retention and adhesion of mortar and enhance construction performance.
5.3. Shampoo:
Steps: Add HEC to the formula water, stir at low speed until completely dissolved, then add other active ingredients and flavors.
Function: Increase the viscosity of shampoo and provide a smooth feeling of use.
5.4. Eye drops:
Steps: Under sterile conditions, dissolve HEC in formulation water and add appropriate preservatives and other ingredients.
Function: Provide appropriate viscosity, extend the residence time of the drug in the eyes, and increase comfort.
6. Safety and environmental protection
Biodegradable: HEC is naturally degradable and environmentally friendly.
Safety: No irritation to human skin, but avoid inhalation of dust and direct contact with eyes.
Hydroxyethylcellulose is of great value in industry and daily life due to its versatility and wide range of applications. During use, it is necessary to master the correct dissolution method and proportion to give full play to its superior performance. Understanding its characteristics and precautions can effectively improve the quality and performance of the product and ensure the safety and environmental protection of the operation.
Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, also known as Methylcellulose and colloquium, is an organic compound methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose uses in various cosmetic and medical applications, the primary one being as a thickening agent. In decorative applications, it's found most often as a component of toothpaste and cough syrups. The compound is tasteless and odorless, and in medicine, it is ingested by patients to relieve constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. Here are top uses methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose
1. Thickening agent
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose uses to thickener in cosmetic products such as shampoos and conditioners because it can form a film on hair strands. This film makes hair appear smooth and shiny. In addition, the material coats the hair strands to protect them from water damage. Because it is water-soluble, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose does not cause build-up on hair strands after repeated use of the product containing it.
2. Medicine
You may have taken methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose without even knowing it. That's because this substance has been used in manufacturing pharmaceutical products for decades. It works as an excipient (a sense included with an active drug that binds together all ingredients). Furthermore, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose can be used to coat pills and help slow down their release into the body.
3. Binding agent
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is an excellent binding agent or adhesive because it forms a gel when mixed with water. The substance is often used in the manufacture of pills and capsules because it binds together different pill components to create uniform tablets that are easy to swallow.
4. Paper Production
Due to the low toxicity of the compound and its ability to improve the properties of paper while decreasing production costs, MHE has gained wide acceptance in the paper manufacturing industry. It can be used as a dry strength agent in paper production to increase tensile strength without increasing gram mage; it can also be used as a pigment binder in paper coatings and water retention agents in paper due to its good properties as a dispersing agent.
5. Dispersing Agent.
When mixed with other chemicals, this compound works as a dispersing agent because it absorbs water to form a gel while keeping the ingredients in suspension. This makes it useful in various applications, including household products like laundry detergent, foods like whipped cream, cosmetics like toothpaste, and pharmaceuticals like cough syrups or eye drops.
6. Soil Stabilizers.
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MHEC) is used as a soil stabilizer to increase the yield of crops on marginal land and in areas where irrigation is not practical. The product can be mixed with water and applied to soil to improve moisture retention during dry periods or when rainfall is sparse. When incorporated into fertilizer formulas, MHEC allows nutrients to remain available to plants over more extended periods than untreated fertilizers.
7. Moisturizer and surfactant
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MHEC) is also used as a moisturizer and surfactant in cosmetics, baby lotions, shampoos, and bath oils. A surfactant is a wetting agent that lowers the surface tension of liquids and allows them to spread over a surface. It can be used as an emulsifier that keeps water-based and oil-based ingredients mixed in cosmetics.
8. Herbicide
Some farmers use Methylcellulose as an herbicide. When mixed with water and sprinkled on certain plants, it can help prevent growth or kill the plant entirely. The gel-like substance helps the herbicide stay in place without being washed away by water or carried away by the wind.
9. Concrete Mixes
Concrete mixes using Methylcellulose are commonly used for their smoothness and strength. Methylcellulose is used to coat the interior surface of concrete pipes, giving them a uniform thickness that reduces wear over time. This method also produces lines resistant to cracking when exposed to water, heat, or other harsh conditions.
10 Food Production
Methylcellulose is commonly used as an ingredient in the production of commercially-made ice cream due to its ability to stabilize the product. It serves as an alternative to gelatin and vegetable gum such as guar gum and locust bean gum. The chemical compound is also added to baked goods, salad dressings, and salad gums. It helps prevent sugar crystallization and increases the shelf life of food products by controlling moisture content.
11. Cement
Methylcellulose helps increase the efficiency of cement by prolonging water retention and hydration reactions. This helps reduce the amount of glue required during construction projects, ultimately lowering costs. The chemical compound can also be added to concrete mixes to improve their structural properties, such as flexural strength, compressive strength, and tensile strength.
12. Oil drilling
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose uses is also used in oil drilling operations to thicken liquids used in the exploration process. This helps ensure that the fluid can be pumped through pipes without dripping or spilling, making them less effective at their intended function.
13. Cosmetics
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is found in many cosmetic products, including hair sprays, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, and soaps. Like other uses for methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, it's used to increase the viscosity of these products and make them easier to apply.
14. Paints and coatings
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, also known as MHEC and Methylcellulose, is a thickening agent used in paints and coatings. The chemical compound can help prevent paint from sagging and dripping when it dries. The combination can also help provide the color with extra adhesion, making it helpful in constructing buildings. MHEC is commonly used as a thickening agent in decorative paints. Decorative paints are not as strong as structural paints, so they need thickening agents to help them adhere to walls and other surfaces without breaking apart or peeling away. MHEC provides water resistance to decorative paints, making it more difficult for walls to become damaged by exposure to water. It also helps make paint that has been applied easier to clean.
Wrapping Up
The most significant methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose uses include its use in the production of adhesives, cosmetics, paper and textiles, pharmaceuticals, paint, and a host of other industrial applications.
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