HPMC Cellulose for Pakistan

MC stands for methyl cellulose, which is a cellulose ether made from purified cotton through alkali treatment using chloromethane as the etherification agent, followed by a series of reactions. The degree of substitution is generally 1.6-2.0, and different degrees of substitution result in different solubilities. It belongs to non-ionic cellulose ethers. 1. Methyl cellulose's water retention depends on the amount added, viscosity, particle size, and dissolution rate. Generally, a higher amount, smaller particle size, and higher viscosity result in better water retention. Among these cellulose ethers, methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose have higher water retention. 2. Methyl cellulose is soluble in cold water but has difficulty dissolving in hot water. Its aqueous solution is stable within the pH range of 3-12. It has good compatibility with starch, guar gum, and many surfactants. Gelation occurs when the temperature reaches the gelation temperature. 3. Temperature variation significantly affects the water retention of methyl cellulose. Generally, higher temperatures result in poorer water retention. If the temperature of the mortar exceeds 40°C, the water retention of methyl cellulose decreases significantly, which adversely affects the workability of the mortar. 4. Methyl cellulose has a noticeable impact on the workability and adhesion of mortar. "Adhesion" refers to the adhesion force between the worker's application tool and the wall substrate, i.e., the shear resistance of the mortar. A higher adhesion leads to higher shear resistance, requiring more force from the worker during application and resulting in poorer workability. Among cellulose ether products, methyl cellulose has a moderate level of adhesion. HPMC stands for Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose. It is a non-ionic cellulose ether derived from refined cotton through alkalization, using epichlorohydrin and chloromethane as etherification agents in a series of reactions. The degree of substitution is generally between 1.2 and 2.0. Its properties vary with the ratio of methoxy content to hydroxypropyl content. (1) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose is soluble in cold water, but it can be difficult to dissolve in hot water. However, its gelation temperature in hot water is significantly higher than that of methyl cellulose. Its solubility in cold water is greatly improved compared to methyl cellulose. (2) The viscosity of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose depends on its molecular weight, with higher molecular weight leading to higher viscosity. Temperature also affects its viscosity, with viscosity decreasing as temperature rises. However, its viscosity is less affected by temperature compared to methyl cellulose. Its solution is stable when stored at room temperature. (3) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose exhibits stability in acids and alkalis, and its aqueous solution is highly stable within the pH range of 2 to 12. It is minimally affected by sodium hydroxide and lime water, although alkalis can accelerate its dissolution and slightly increase its viscosity. It demonstrates stability in general salts, but at higher salt concentrations, the viscosity of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose solution tends to increase. (4) The water retention capacity of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose depends on factors such as the dosage and viscosity, and at the same dosage, its water retention rate is higher than that of methyl cellulose. (5) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose can be mixed with water-soluble high molecular weight compounds to form homogeneous solutions with higher viscosity. Examples include polyvinyl alcohol, starch ethers, and plant gums. (6) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose exhibits higher adhesion in mortar construction compared to methyl cellulose. (7) Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose has better resistance to enzymatic degradation compared to methyl cellulose, and its solution is less likely to undergo enzymatic degradation.

The viscosity of HPMC is inversely proportional to temperature, meaning that viscosity increases as temperature decreases. When we refer to the viscosity of a certain product, it generally refers to the measurement result of its 2% water solution at 20 degrees Celsius. In practical applications, in regions with large temperature differences between summer and winter, it is advisable to use relatively lower viscosity during winter for better construction. Otherwise, at low temperatures, the viscosity of the cellulose increases, resulting in a heavier feel during application. Medium viscosity: 75,000-100,000 (mainly used for putty) Reason: Good water retention. High viscosity: 150,000-200,000 (mainly used for polystyrene particle insulation mortar powder and foamed glass bead insulation mortar) Reason: High viscosity, reduces mortar dusting and sagging, improves construction. However, in general, higher viscosity provides better water retention. Therefore, many dry mortar manufacturers consider using medium-viscosity cellulose (75,000-100,000) instead of low-viscosity cellulose (20,000-40,000) to reduce the dosage and costs.

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

In simple terms, "non-ionic" refers to a substance that does not ionize in water. Ionization refers to the process in which electrolytes dissolve in specific solvents (such as water or alcohol) and dissociate into freely moving charged ions. For example, table salt we consume daily—sodium chloride (NaCl)—when dissolved in water, ionizes and produces freely moving sodium ions with a positive charge and chloride ions with a negative charge. In other words, when HPMC is placed in water, it does not dissociate into charged ions but exists in molecular form.