Dec. 09, 2024
Melacoll&#;-06-20 13:26
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HPMC and HEC, both of them are a kind of cellulose ether. but what is the difference between them? HPMC VS HEC. In recent years, the output and consumption of HPMC have been increasing rapidly. HPMC is an ironic cellulose ether. it begins refined cotton after alkalization treatment. Propylene oxide and methyl chloride is the etherifying agent in the HPMC manufacturing process. After a series of reactions, get HPMC. But HEC also begins refined cotton after alkalization treatment. With acetone, HEC uses ethylene oxide as the etherifying agent. So HEC has more hydrophilic than HPMC. It is prone to absorb moisture.
This article focuses on HPMC and HEC degree of substitution (DS), appearance, solution, dispersion, ph, and application.
DS: the substituent of HPMC is Hydroxypropyl and Methoxy. The ratio of them affects HPMC properties. The higher the hydroxypropyl content, the better the water retention effect. The lower the methoxy content, the higher the gel temperature. The DS of HPMC is 1.2-2.0. But HEC substituent is Hydroxyethyl substituent. Its DS is 1.5-2.0.
Appearance: both HPMC and HEC are white powder. HPMC is a Non-ionic compound, a non-reactive viscoelastic polymer. HEC raw material is Alkaline Cellulose and Ethylene Oxide.
Solubility: HPMC is practically insoluble in absolute ethanol, ether, and acetone. HPMC is soluble in cold water and insoluble in hot water. HPMC will get gel when the temperature is up to 55-75. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose after gelation is like jelly. This gel is related to methoxy content.
HEC is soluble in hot and cold water. No precipitation at high temperatures or boiling. Wide range of solubility and viscosity characteristics and non-thermogelling properties. HEC can produce solutions with different viscosity. It has good salt-dissolving properties for electrolytes.
Dispersion: the dispersion of HPMC is better than HEC. But HEC has a stronger protective colloid than HPMC.
PH: both HPMC and HEC are stable to common acids and alkalis. Alkali can speed up its dissolution and slightly increase its viscosity. HPMC solution is stable in the range of ph = 2-12. caustic soda and lime water can not affect HPMC properties. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is stable to common salts. But when the concentration of salt solution is high, the viscosity of HPMC solution tends to increase.
Application: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose can be used in coatings, ceramics, printing inks, plastics. HPMC has construction grade, food grade, and pharmaceutical grade according to the application. The construction industry is the most widely used application for MELACOLL hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
Low-viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is mainly used for self-leveling mortar. Its viscosity is low, although its water retention is poor. HPMC 's leveling property is good, and the mortar is dense. Medium and low-viscosity HPMC is mainly used in tile adhesives, joint fillers, anti-cracking mortars, and thermal insulation mortars. It has good constructability, a good water retention effect, and high mortar density. HPMC exists as a water-retaining agent in mortar. Its water-retaining properties prevent the paste from drying too quickly. And cracking after reapplying.
HEC is the binder, surfactant, colloidal protective agent, dispersant, emulsifier, dispersion stabilizer. Hydroxyethyl cellulose mainly apply to the coating industry. Hydroxyethylcellulose is more stable than hydroxypropylmethylcellulose for emulsion thickening.
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.
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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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