How Different Viscosity Grades of HPMC Meet Multi-Industry Demands

What Does HPMC Viscosity Mean?

HPMC viscosity refers to the thickness or flow resistance of its aqueous solution. It is commonly measured in millipascal-seconds (mPa.s) using a 2% solution with a Brookfield viscometer. HPMC is available in a wide viscosity range:

Low viscosity: 3 – 100 mPa.s

Medium viscosity: 100 – 40,000 mPa.s

High viscosity: 40,000 – 200,000+ mPa.s

How Viscosity Affects HPMC Performance

The viscosity grade of HPMC affects several core functions:

Water retention

Adhesion

Thickening power

Film-forming ability

Workability and rheology

Selecting the right viscosity ensures optimal performance in your application.

Construction Industry: Choosing the Right Viscosity for Performance

Tile Adhesive & Mortar Systems

Recommended viscosity: Medium to high (30,000 – 75,000 mPa.s)

Function: Enhances water retention, anti-sagging, and workability

Explore HPMC for Tile Adhesive

Self-Leveling Compounds

Recommended viscosity: Low to medium (5,000 – 20,000 mPa.s)

Function: Ensures smooth flow and self-leveling ability while maintaining strength

Discover HPMC for Self-Leveling

Pharmaceutical Applications: Viscosity for Controlled Release and Processing

Sustained Release Tablets

Recommended viscosity: Medium to high (15,000 – 100,000 mPa.s)

Function: Forms gel matrix for controlled drug release and serves as binder/film-former

Capsules and Emulsions

Recommended viscosity: Low viscosity (3 – 15 mPa.s)

Function: Enhances dispersibility, improves processability

Food Industry: Texture and Stability Driven by Viscosity

Emulsification & Thickening

Recommended viscosity: Low to medium (20 – 60,000 mPa.s)

Function: Improves mouthfeel, stabilizes emulsions, enhances thermal stability

Personal Care & Paints: Adapting Viscosity to Formulation Needs

Shampoo & Skincare Formulations

Recommended viscosity: Low (50 – 5,000 mPa.s)

Function: Provides clarity, controls viscosity, improves emulsion stability

Water-Based Paints

Recommended viscosity: Medium to high (20,000 – 100,000 mPa.s)

Function: Delivers excellent thickening, anti-sagging, and workability

Quick Selection Guide by Application

How Different Viscosity Grades of HPMC Meet Multi-Industry Demands

Application

Hydroxyethyl cellulose（HEC）

The most important property of hydroxyethyl cellulose powder is that it acts as a thickener, in creasing the viscosity of the liquid,and its thickening depends on its concentration. If you're searching for a versatile solution that enhances the performance of your products, look no further than Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) powder.

Gypsum Special Grade HPMC

The gypsum special grade hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose HPMC has the characteristics of high water retention, dispersibility, good fineness, good workability and easy dissolution. widely used in gypsum products like gypsum plaster, adhesive plaster, embedded gypsum, tile adhesives etc.

Daily Chemical Products Additive

Daily Chemical HPMC has a variety of properties such as thickening, foam stabllization,emulifiation, and easy dispersion. Shampoo Additive HPMC has good compatibility with various additives of other daily chemical products. It is widely used in detergents, shower gels, shampoos, hand sanitizers, and laundry liquid and other products.

Tile Adhesive Additive

Tile Adhesive Additive HPMC can ensure the smooth construction on difterent base surtaces, even when the ambient temperalure is relalively harsh, the tile adhesive can be given a long enough open time and adjustable time.

Gypsum Additive

In gypsum products, the focus is on water retention, retardation and lubrication. Different gypsum has different effects on product performance, so thickening, water retention, and retardation determine the quality of gypsum building materials.

Mortar Additive

Adding hydroxypropyl metylellulose can improve anti-sip performance, improve wetting performance, thicken, improve batch scraping and slipping, easy to level, improve surface performance and strength, and have very good compatibility with other additives.

Putty Powder Additive

Hydroxypropyl metylcellulose is a commonly used raw material in powdered building materials, which greatly improves the slip performance and anti-sag performance of the construction, improves the wettability, improves the anti-slip performance of the putty, improves the leveling effect of the putty, and improves the construction eficlency.

Technical Guidelines for Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)

As a professional manufacturer of architectural-grade HPMC, we provide you with comprehensive technical guidance and problem-solving support throughout the production and application processes.

How much do you know about Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose(HPMC)?

Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) is a non-ionic cellulose ether obtained by cellulose alkalization, etherification, neutralization and washing. HPMC has good thickening, dispersing, emulsifying, film-forming properties, etc.It is the first choice for production of high quality building materials additives.

Laboratory overview

We have both Chemical Lab and Application Lab to ensure each order's best satisfaction

How to improve the adhesion of putty

When encountering the projects that have been constructed, it is found that the adhesion of putty on the exterior wall is poor, the following methods can be adopted to improve the adhesion of putty:

Dissolution Method

Take the required amount of hot water into the container and heat to above 85., stir slowly and add the product gradually The cellulose initially floats on the water, but gradually disperses in water and forms homogeneous slurry. Goon stirring until it cools down and becomes clear

Products

Faq

What are the formulations for interior and exterior wall putty powder?

HPMC has three functions in putty powder: thickening, water retention, and facilitating construction. It does not participate in any reaction. The formation of bubbles in putty powder can be caused by two reasons: (1) Excessive water content. (2) Applying another layer on top before the bottom layer has dried, which can also lead to the formation of bubbles.

What is the application of HPMC in putty powder, and what causes the formation of bubbles in putty powder?

In the application of HPMC in putty powder, it plays three roles: thickening, water retention, and facilitating construction. Thickening: Cellulose can thicken the mixture, maintain uniform suspension, and prevent sagging. Water retention: It slows down the drying process of putty powder and assists in the reaction of lime and calcium in water. Construction: Cellulose acts as a lubricant, improving the workability of the putty powder. HPMC does not participate in any chemical reactions; it only serves as an auxiliary agent. When putty powder is mixed with water and applied to the wall, a chemical reaction occurs because new substances are formed. However, if the putty powder is scraped off the wall, ground into powder, and reused, it is not suitable because a new substance (calcium carbonate) has already formed. The main components of lime and calcium powder are Ca(OH)2, CaO, and a small amount of CaCO3. The reaction can be represented as: CaO + H2O = Ca(OH)2 — Ca(OH)2 + CO2 = CaCO3 ↓ + H2O. Under the action of water and carbon dioxide in the air, lime and calcium carbonate are formed. HPMC only assists in water retention and the better reaction of lime and calcium; it does not participate in any reactions itself.

Regarding the relationship between viscosity and temperature in HPMC (HPMC viscosity), what should be noted in practical applications?

HPMC produced using solvent methods uses solvents such as toluene and isopropanol. If the washing process is not thorough, there may be some residual odor.

What is the main function of HPMC in putty powder and does it undergo a chemical reaction?

The dosage of HPMC in actual application varies depending on factors such as climate, temperature, local lime and calcium quality, putty powder formulation, and the desired quality specified by the customer. Generally, it ranges between 4 kg to 5 kg. For example, in Beijing, most putty powders use around 5 kg; in Guizhou, it is mostly 5 kg in summer and 4.5 kg in winter; in Yunnan, the dosage is smaller, usually around 3 kg to 4 kg, and so on.

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