MHEC also known as Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, has excellent thickening efficiency, color development capability, open time and outstanding resistance to biodegradation. It is widely used in water-based latex coatings, construction and building materials, printing inks, oil drilling, and other fields.
Item | Index |
Appearance | White to off-white powder |
Particle size | 98% through 100 mesh |
Moisture (%) | ≤5.0 |
PH value | 5.0-8.0 |
Ash content(%) | ≤5.0 |
Viscosity,(Brookfield ,2%solution in water,20℃),mPa s | 300-80000 |
Methoxy content (%) | 21.0-31.0 |
Hydroxyethoxy content (%) | 4.0-12.0 |
In 25KG bag,12MTS/20GP with pallets, 14 MTS /20GP without pallets; 24MTS/40HQ with pallets, 28MTS /40HQ without pallets
Keep clean and dry, out of the direct sun and moisture.
The main applications of hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose include the production of adhesives, cosmetics, paper and textiles, drugs, paints, and some other industrial applications.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is used as a thickening agent in cosmetics such as shampoos and conditioners. It can form a film on the hair strands, which makes the hair look smooth and shiny. Additionally, this material covers the hair strands to protect them from water damage. As it is water-soluble, it does not accumulate on the hair strands after repeated use of products containing it.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is an excellent adhesive or binder because it forms a gel when mixed with water. This substance is commonly used in the manufacture of pills and capsules, where it can combine different drug components to form easily-swallowed pills.
In the medical field, we have all taken hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose because this substance has been used in medical product manufacturing for several decades. It is used as a carrier agent (in the sense that the active drug combines all its components together). Moreover, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is used to encapsulate pills and help slow down their release into the body.
When mixed with other chemicals, this compound acts as a dispersant. It absorbs water to form a gel while keeping the components in a suspended state. This enables it to be used in various applications, including household products such as laundry detergents, food such as whipped cream, cosmetics such as toothpaste, and medicines such as cough syrups or eye drops.
The concrete mixture containing hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is often used due to its smoothness and strength. Methyl cellulose is used to cover the inner surface of concrete pipes to give them a uniform thickness, thereby reducing wear over time. This method also produces crack-resistant effects when exposed to water, heat, or other harsh conditions.
Because this compound is low in toxicity and can improve paper performance while reducing production costs, it has gained wide recognition in the paper industry. It is used as a dry strength agent in paper production, increasing tensile strength without increasing the weight; due to its good performance as a dispersant, it can also be used as a pigment binder in paper coatings and a water-retaining agent in paper.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (MHEC) is used as a soil stabilizer, which can increase crop yields in marginal land and areas with difficult irrigation. It can be mixed with water and applied to the soil to improve water retention during dry periods or when rainfall is scarce. When mixed into fertilizer formulations, MHEC enables plants to retain available nutrients for a longer period than untreated fertilizers.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (MHEC) is also used as a humectant and surfactant in cosmetics, baby lotions, shampoos, and bath oils. Surfactants are wetting agents that reduce the surface tension of liquids and enable them to disperse on the surface. They can be used as emulsifiers to keep water-based and oil-based components mixed in cosmetics.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, also known as MHEC and methyl cellulose, is a thickener used in paints and coatings. This compound helps prevent paint from running and dripping when drying. This combination also helps provide additional adhesion for the color, enabling it to be used in building construction. MHEC is typically used as a thickener in decorative paints. Decorative paints are not as sturdy as structural paints, so they require a thickener to help them adhere to walls and other surfaces without cracking or peeling. MHEC provides waterproofing for decorative paints, making walls less prone to damage from contact with water. It also makes cleaning the painted surface easier.
Some farmers use hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose as a herbicide. When mixed with water and sprayed on certain plants, it can help stop growth or completely kill the plants. This gel-like substance helps the herbicide stay in place and not be washed away by water or carried away by the wind.
Due to its stable properties, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is usually used as a component in the production of commercial ice cream. It can replace gelatin and plant gums such as guar gum and arabic gum. This compound is also added to baked goods, salad dressings, and salad gels. It helps prevent sugar crystallization and extends the shelf life of food by controlling the moisture content.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose helps improve the efficiency of cement by extending its water retention and hydration reaction. This helps reduce the amount of cement needed in construction projects, ultimately lowering costs. The compound can also be added to concrete mixtures to improve their structural properties, such as bending strength, compressive strength, and tensile strength. Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose has good thixotropic and easy-mixing characteristics, giving mortar pumpability. It also improves anti-sagging and high water retention, prolonging the working time of the mortar and helping it form high mechanical strength during the setting period.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is also used in oil drilling operations to thicken the liquids used in exploration. This helps ensure that the liquids can be pumped through pipelines without dripping or spilling.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is present in many cosmetics, including hair gel, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and soap. Like other uses of methylhydroxyethylcellulose, it is used to increase the viscosity of these products and make them easier to apply.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is used as a thickening agent with thixotropic and retardant properties to improve extensibility and extend working time. Water retention prevents the slurry from cracking due to rapid drying after construction and increases the strength after hardening.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose improves the adhesion between the mortar and the masonry surface and enhances water retention, thereby increasing the strength of the mortar. It improves lubricity and plasticity, thereby improving construction performance.
Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose has excellent water retention, lubricity, high shrinkage, and crack resistance, providing a smooth and uniform texture for the material, enhancing the adhesion of the joint surface.
