Overview of HPMC Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a white or almost white powder, odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic.

HPMC powder

Water Solubility and Thickening Ability

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose can be dissolved in cold water to form a transparent viscous solution.

Dissolution in organic solvents: Because hydroxypropyl methylcellulose contains a certain amount of hydrophobic methoxy groups, this product can be dissolved in some organic solvents, and it can also be dissolved in water and organic solvents.

Characteristics of HPMC Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Salt resistance

HPMC Powder is a non-ionic polymer; it is relatively stable in the aqueous solution of metal salt or organic electrolyte. Surface activity: The aqueous solution of this product has surface activity, emulsification, protective colloid, and relatively stable functions and properties.

Thermal gelation

The aqueous hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution becomes impermeable when heated to a certain temperature until a (poly) flocculation state is formed, making the solution lose its viscosity. But after cooling, it will be transformed into the original solution state. The gel phenomenon’s temperature depends on the type of product, the concentration of the solution, and the heating rate.

Low ash content

Because hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has thermal gelling properties, HPMC can be effectively refined by washing with hot water during preparation, so its ash content is very low.

PH stability: The viscosity of the aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is stable within the range of PH3.0-11.0.

Water retention 

HPMC is hydrophilic; it can be added to mortar, gypsum, paint, etc., to maintain high water retention in the product.

Shape retention

Compared with other water-soluble polymers, the deep liquid of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has special viscoelastic properties. Its addition can keep the shape of extruded ceramic products unchanged, etc.

Lubricity

Adding HPMC can reduce the coefficient of friction and improve the lubricity of extruded ceramic and cement products.

Film formation 

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose can produce flexible, transparent, and excellent mechanical properties and has good oil and grease resistance.

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Physical and Chemical Properties of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Granularity:100 mesh pass rate is greater than 95.5%, 80 mesh pass rate is 100%

Carbonization temperature: 280-300℃

Apparent density: 0.25-0.70/cm3 specific gravity 1.26-1.31

Discoloration temperature: 190-200℃

Surface tension: 42-56dyn/cm for 2% aqueous solution

Solubility: soluble in water and some solvents, and the aqueous solution has surface activity. High transparency, stable performance, and solubility change with viscosity; the lower the viscosity, the greater the solubility.

HPMC also has the thickening ability, salt resistance, pH stability, water retention dimensional stability, excellent film-forming properties, and a wide range of enzyme resistance, dispersibility, and adhesion.

HPMC Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Applications

1. Cement mortar: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose improve the dispersibility of cement sand, greatly improve the plasticity and water retention of mortar, have an effect on preventing cracks, and can enhance the strength of cement.

2. Tile cement: improve the plasticity and water retention of the pressed tile mortar, improve the adhesive force of the tile, and prevent chalking.

3. Coating of refractory materials such as asbestos: as a suspension agent and fluidity improver, it also improves the adhesion to the substrate.

4. Gypsum coagulation slurry: improve water retention and processability, and improve adhesion to the substrate.

5. Joint cement: It is added to joint cement for gypsum board to improve fluidity and water retention.

6. Latex putty: improve the fluidity and water retention of putty based on resin latex.

7. Plaster: As a paste that replaces natural materials, it can improve water retention and bonding strength with the substrate.

8. Painting: As a plasticizer for latex paint, it improves the handling performance and fluidity of paint and putty powder.

9. Spray coating: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has a good effect on preventing cement or latex spraying only material filler from sinking and improving fluidity and spray pattern.

10. Cement and gypsum secondary products: Used as an extrusion molding binder for hydraulic materials such as cement-asbestos series to improve fluidity and obtain uniform molded products.

11. Fiber wall: Because of its anti-enzyme and anti-bacterial effect, it is effective as a binder for sand walls.

12. Others: It can be used as a bubble-retaining agent for thin mortar, sand mortar, and plaster operators.

Company Profile

Cabr-Concrete is the global leader in Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC), Celluar Light Concrete (CLC), and advanced engineered foam solutions. Known globally for its commitment to research, innovation, and applied expertise, we have been providing engineered foam solutions since the early 2012’s.

We can supply high-quality concrete additives such as Potassium Silicate, Gypsum retarder and enhancer, Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber, Concrete Crack Reducing Admixture, Hollow Glass Microspheres, Concrete strength and shrinkage reducer, Waterproof agent, Redispersible Polymer Powder (RDP) all over the world.

The company has a professional technical department and quality supervision department, a well-equipped laboratory, and equipped with advanced testing equipment and after-sales customer service center. If you are looking for high-quality hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry: sales@cabr-concrete.com

Payment Method

We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union, and Paypal.

Shipment

FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea

FAQs

Q1

How many types of HPMC are there?

Answer: 

HPMC can be divided into construction grade, food grade and pharmaceutical grade according to its use.

Q2

What is the gel temperature of HPMC related to?

Answer: 

The gel temperature of HPMC is related to its methoxy group content. The lower the methoxy group content, the higher the gel temperature.

Q3

Is the powder loss of putty related to HPMC?

Answer: 

The loss of putty powder is mainly related to the quality of gray calcium and has little to do with HPMC. The low calcium content of gray calcium and the inappropriate ratio of CaO and Ca(OH)2 in gray calcium will cause powder loss.

Q4

What is the water retention of HPMC?

Answer: 

HPMC has good water retention, but poor water retention may cause the putty powder to fall off.

Q5

What is the thickening principle of HPMC?

Answer: 

HPMC is a high molecular polymer. Its thickening principle is to form a viscous colloidal solution at a lower concentration through the stretching and adsorption of its molecular chain.

Q6

What are the advantages of HPMC?

Answer: 

HPMC has the advantages of good stability, dispersion, film-forming properties and enzyme resistance, and can be widely used in various fields.

Q7

What is the production process of HPMC?

Answer: 

The production process of HPMC mainly includes cellulose etherification reaction and post-treatment process. The etherification reaction is a key step in the production of HPMC. It is necessary to control the reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, material ratio, etc.

Q8

How to store and transport HPMC?

Answer: 

When storing and transporting HPMC, attention should be paid to moisture-proof, sun-proof, dust-proof and anti-pollution measures. It should be stored in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and high temperature. Collision and extrusion should be avoided during transportation to prevent packaging damage and product deterioration.