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 main technical indicators of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)?

HPMC can be divided into two types: instant soluble and heat soluble. Instant soluble HPMC quickly disperses in cold water, disappearing in the water. At this stage, the liquid does not have viscosity because HPMC is only dispersed in the water and not completely dissolved. After about 2 minutes, the viscosity of the liquid gradually increases, forming a transparent and viscous colloidal solution. Heat soluble HPMC tends to agglomerate in cold water but can rapidly disperse in hot water, disappearing in it. As the temperature decreases to a certain point, viscosity slowly appears until a transparent and viscous colloidal solution is formed. Heat soluble HPMC can only be used in putty powder and mortar, as it tends to agglomerate in liquid adhesives and coatings and cannot be used effectively. Instant soluble HPMC has a wider range of applications and can be used in putty powder, mortar, liquid adhesives, and coatings without any restrictions.

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

The two main indicators most users are concerned about are the content of hydroxypropyl and viscosity. Higher hydroxypropyl content generally indicates better water retention. A higher viscosity also provides relatively better water retention (not absolute), and HPMC with higher viscosity is more suitable for cement mortar.

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

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

1. Hot water dissolution method: HPMC does not dissolve in hot water, but it can disperse evenly in hot water initially and then rapidly dissolve upon cooling. There are two typical methods described as follows: (1) Place the required amount of hot water in a container and heat it to approximately 70°C. Gradually add HPMC while stirring slowly. Initially, HPMC will float on the water's surface and gradually form a slurry, which cools down under stirring. (2) Add 1/3 or 2/3 of the required amount of water to a container and heat it to 70°C. Disperse HPMC according to method (1) to prepare a hot water slurry. Then, add the remaining cold water to the hot water slurry and cool the mixture after stirring. 2. Powder mixing method: Mix HPMC powder with a large amount of other powdered substances using a blender. Afterward, add water for dissolution. In this case, HPMC can dissolve without clumping because each tiny corner of the powder contains only a small amount of HPMC, which dissolves immediately upon contact with water. This method is commonly used in putty powder and mortar production.

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