What is the difference between Hydroxypropyl methyl Cellulose and Hydroxyethyl Cellulose?

What is the difference between Hydroxypropyl methyl Cellulose and Hydroxyethyl Cellulose?

1. Different Characteristics:

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: (HPMC) is white or off- white powder, which belongs to various non-ionic cellulose mixed ethers. It is a semi-synthetic, inactive viscoelastic polymer.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose: (HEC) is a white or yellow, odorless and non-toxic fiber or powder solid. It is made by etherification of alkaline cellulose and ethylene oxide (or chlorohydrin).

It is a non-ionic soluble cellulose ether.

2. Different Solubility:

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: Almost insoluble in absolute ethanol, ether and acetone. Clear or slightly turbid colloidal solution soluble in cold water.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose: It has the properties of thickening, suspending, bonding, emulsifying, dispersing, and moisturizing. It can prepare solutions in different viscosity ranges and has excellent salt solubility for electrolytes.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has the characteristics of thickening ability, low salt resistance, PH stability, water retention, dimensional stability, excellent film-forming properties, broad enzyme resistance, dispersion and adhesion properties.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is mostly used as a thickener, dispersant and stabilizer in the coating industry and has good solubility in water or organic solvents. In the construction industry, it is used in cement, gypsum, latex putty, stucco, etc. to improve the dispersion of cement sand and greatly improve the plasticity and water retention of mortar.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose has the properties of thickening, suspending, bonding, emulsifying, dispersing, and moisturizing. It can prepare solutions in different viscosity ranges and has excellent salt solubility for electrolytes. Hydroxyethyl cellulose is an effective film-forming agent, adhesive agent, thickener, stabilizer and dispersant in shampoos, hair sprays, neutralizers, hair conditioners and cosmetics; in detergent powders It is a dirt redeposition agent. Hydroxyethyl cellulose dissolves quickly at high temperatures, which can speed up the production process and improve production efficiency.

The obvious feature of detergents containing Hydroxyethyl cellulose is that it can improve the smoothness and mercerization of fabrics.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose can also be used in construction products such as concrete mixes, fresh mortars, stone plasters or other cements to retain water during the construction process before they set and harden. In addition to improving the water retention of building products, Hydroxyethyl cellulose can extend the correction and opening time of stucco or mastic. Can reduce skinning, slipping and sagging.

This can improve construction performance, increase work efficiency, save time, and at the same time increase the volume expansion rate of mortar, thus saving raw materials.