Hydroxyethyl cellulose is a medium to high viscosity grade of cellulose ether, used as a thickener and stabilizer for water-based coatings, especially when the storage viscosity is high and the application viscosity is low. Cellulose ether is easy to disperse in cold water with pH value ≤ 7, but it is easy to agglomerate in alkaline liquid with pH value ≥ 7.5, so we must pay attention to the dispersibility of cellulose ether.
Features and uses of hydroxyethyl cellulose:
1. Anti-enzyme non-ionic water thickener, which can be used in a wide range of pH value (PH=2-12).
2. Easy to disperse, it can be added directly in the form of dry powder or in the form of slurry when grinding pigments and fillers.
3. Excellent construction. It has the advantages of labor saving, not easy to drip and hang, and good splash resistance.
4. Good compatibility with various surfactants and preservatives used in latex paint.
5. The storage viscosity is stable, which can prevent the viscosity of latex paint from decreasing due to the decomposition of enzymes in general hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Properties of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
Hydroxyethyl cellulose ether is a non-ionic water-soluble polymer. It is a white or light yellow powder that flows easily. Generally insoluble in most organic solvents
1. HEC is soluble in hot water or cold water, and does not precipitate at high temperature or boiling, which makes it have a wide range of solubility and viscosity characteristics, and non-thermal gelation.
2. It is non-ionic and can coexist with other water-soluble polymers, surfactants, and salts. It is an excellent colloidal thickener for solutions containing high-concentration electrolytes.
3. The water retention capacity is twice as high as that of methyl cellulose, and it has better flow regulation.
4. Compared with the recognized methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, the dispersing ability of HEC is the worst, but the protective colloid ability is the strongest (colorful).
Thickening
Affect the workability, such as: coatability, splash resistance, loss resistance; the special network structure of cellulose ether can stabilize the powder in the coating system, slow down its settlement, and make the system obtain better storage effect .
Good water resistance
After the paint film is completely dry, it has excellent water resistance. This especially reflects the value of its water resistance in the high-PVC formulation system. From foreign to Chinese formulations, in this high-PVC system, the amount of cellulose ether added is basically 4-6‰.
excellent water retention
Hydroxyethyl cellulose can prolong the exposure time and control the drying time to obtain better film formation; among them, the water retention of methyl cellulose and hypromellose drops seriously above 40°C, and some foreign studies believe that it can be reduced by 50% , the probability of problems in summer and high temperature is greatly increased.
Good stability to reduce flocculation of paint
Eliminate sedimentation, syneresis and flocculation; meanwhile, hydroxyethyl cellulose ether is a non-ionic type of product. Does not react with various additives in the system.
Good compatibility with multi-color system
Excellent compatibility of colorants, pigments and fillers; hydroxyethyl cellulose ether has the best color development, but after modification, such as methyl and ethyl, there will be hidden dangers of pigment compatibility.
Good compatibility with various raw materials
It can be used in various coating formulation systems.
High antimicrobial activity
Suitable for silicate systems
Post time: Feb-02-2023