Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (MHEC) is a non-ionic cellulose ether, which is mainly derived from the methylation and hydroxyethylation of cellulose. It has good water solubility and film-forming properties. , thickening, suspension and stability. In various fields, MHEC is widely used, especially in construction, coatings, ceramics, medicine, daily chemical and other industries.
1. Application in building materials
In the construction field, MHEC is widely used in dry mortars, plasters, tile adhesives, coatings and exterior wall insulation systems. Its functions of thickening, retaining water and improving construction properties make it an indispensable ingredient in modern building materials.
Dry mortar: MHEC mainly plays the role of thickener, water retaining agent and stabilizer in dry mortar. It can significantly improve the workability and viscosity of mortar, prevent delamination and segregation, and ensure the uniformity of mortar during construction. At the same time, the excellent water retention of MHEC can also extend the opening time of mortar and prevent excessive water loss, thereby improving construction quality.
Tile adhesive: MHEC in tile adhesive can improve adhesion, increase initial bonding strength, and extend opening time to facilitate construction. In addition, its water retention can also prevent premature evaporation of colloidal water and improve the construction effect.
Coating: MHEC can be used as a thickener in architectural coatings to make the coating have good fluidity and construction performance, while avoiding coating cracking, sagging and other phenomena, and improving the uniformity and smoothness of the coating.
2. Application in daily chemical products
MHEC has important applications in daily chemicals, especially in detergents, skin care products and cosmetics. Its main functions are thickening, film formation, and stabilizing emulsification systems.
Detergents: In liquid detergents, the thickening and stability of MHEC allow the product to have the right viscosity, while improving the washing effect and avoiding product stratification during storage.
Skin care products: MHEC can be used as a film-forming agent in skin care products to give the product a smooth feel. In addition, its hydration and moisturizing properties also enable skin care products to better retain moisture on the skin surface, thereby improving the moisturizing effect.
Cosmetics: In cosmetics, MHEC serves as a thickener and suspending agent, which can improve the texture of the product, prevent ingredients from settling, and provide a smooth application feel.
3. Application in pharmaceutical industry
The application of MHEC in the pharmaceutical field is mainly reflected in tablets, gels, ophthalmic preparations, etc., and is often used as a thickener, film-forming agent, adhesive, etc.
Tablets: MHEC can be used as a binder and disintegrant for tablets to improve the formability and hardness of the tablets, and help rapid disintegration in the digestive tract to promote drug absorption.
Ophthalmic preparations: When MHEC is used in ophthalmic preparations, it can provide a certain viscosity, effectively prolong the residence time of the drug on the ocular surface, and improve the efficacy of the drug. In addition, it has a lubricating effect that reduces dry eye symptoms and enhances patient comfort.
Gel: As a thickener in pharmaceutical gels, MHEC can enhance the viscosity of the product and improve the penetration of the drug on the skin surface. At the same time, the film-forming property of MHEC can also form a protective film on the wound to prevent bacterial invasion and accelerate healing.
4. Application in ceramic industry
In the ceramic manufacturing process, MHEC can be used as a binder, plasticizer and suspending agent. It can improve the fluidity and plasticity of ceramic mud and prevent cracking of the ceramic body. At the same time, MHEC can also improve the uniformity of the glaze, making the glaze layer smoother and more beautiful.
5. Application in food industry
MHEC is mainly used as an emulsifier, stabilizer and thickener in the food industry. Although its application is less common than in other fields, it plays an irreplaceable role in the processing of specific foods. For example, in some low-fat foods, MHEC can be used to replace fat and maintain the texture and taste of the food. In addition, the high stability of MHEC can also extend the shelf life of food.
6. Other fields
Oil field mining: During the oil field mining process, MHEC serves as a thickener and suspending agent, which can increase the viscosity of drilling fluid, maintain the stability of the well wall, and help carry cuttings out.
Papermaking industry: MHEC can be used as a surface sizing agent in the papermaking process to increase the strength and water resistance of paper, making it more suitable for writing and printing.
Agriculture: In the agricultural field, MHEC can be used in pesticide preparations as a thickener and stabilizer to ensure the uniform distribution of pesticides on the crop surface and improve the adhesion and effectiveness of pesticides.
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is widely used in building materials, daily chemical products, medicine, ceramics, food and other industries due to its excellent thickening, water retention, film formation and stability. As a green and environmentally friendly material, MHEC can not only improve product performance, but also improve the stability and efficiency of the production process. In the future technological development, the application scope of MHEC is expected to be further expanded, bringing more innovations and possibilities to various industries.