Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MHEC) is a water-soluble polymer widely used in many industries. It is widely used mainly for its thickening, bonding, film-forming and lubricating properties.
1. Building materials
In the construction industry, MHEC is widely used in dry mortar, tile adhesive, putty powder, exterior insulation system (EIFS) and other building materials. Its main functions include:
Thickening effect: MHEC can increase the viscosity of building materials, making it easier to operate and apply evenly during construction, reducing slippage.
Water retention effect: Adding MHEC to mortar or putty can effectively prevent water from evaporating too quickly, ensuring that adhesives such as cement or gypsum can be fully cured, and enhancing strength and adhesion.
Anti-sagging: In vertical construction, MHEC can reduce the sliding of mortar or putty from the wall and improve construction efficiency.
2. Paint industry
In the paint industry, MHEC is often used as a thickener, stabilizer and suspending agent, with the following functions:
Improving the rheology of paint: MHEC can keep the paint stable during storage, prevent precipitation, and have good fluidity and brush mark disappearance when brushing.
Film-forming properties: In water-based paints, MHEC can improve the strength, water resistance and scrub resistance of the coating film, and extend the service life of the coating film.
Stabilizing pigment dispersion: MHEC can maintain the uniform dispersion of pigments and fillers, and prevent the coating from stratification and precipitation during storage.
3. Daily chemical industry
Among daily chemicals, MHEC is widely used in shampoo, shower gel, hand soap, toothpaste and other products. Its main functions are:
Thickener: MHEC is used as a thickener in detergent products to give the product a suitable viscosity and touch, improving the use experience.
Film former: In some conditioners and styling products, MHEC is used as a film former to help form a protective film, maintain hairstyle and protect hair.
Stabilizer: In products such as toothpaste, MHEC can prevent solid-liquid stratification and maintain the uniformity and stability of the product.
4. Pharmaceutical industry
MHEC is also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly including:
Binder and disintegrant for tablets: MHEC, as an excipient for tablets, can improve the adhesion of tablets and make them easier to form during the production process. At the same time, MHEC can also control the disintegration rate of tablets, thereby regulating the release of drugs.
Matrix for topical drugs: In topical drugs such as ointments and creams, MHEC can provide appropriate viscosity, so that the drug can be evenly applied to the skin and improve the absorption efficiency of the drug.
Sustained release agent: In some sustained-release preparations, MHEC can prolong the duration of drug efficacy by regulating the dissolution rate of the drug.
5. Food industry
In the food industry, MHEC is mainly used as a food additive for:
Thickener: In foods such as ice cream, jelly, and dairy products, MHEC can be used as a thickener to improve the taste and structure of food.
Stabilizer and emulsifier: MHEC can stabilize emulsions, prevent stratification, and ensure the uniformity and texture stability of food.
Film former: In edible films and coatings, MHEC can form thin films for food surface protection and preservation.
6. Textile printing and dyeing industry
In the textile printing and dyeing industry, MHEC, as a thickener and film former, has the following functions:
Printing thickener: In the textile printing process, MHEC can effectively control the fluidity of the dye, making the printed pattern clear and the edges neat.
Textile processing: MHEC can improve the feel and appearance of textiles, making them softer and smoother, and also improve the wrinkle resistance of fabrics.
7. Other applications
In addition to the above main areas, MHEC is also used in the following aspects:
Oilfield exploitation: In drilling fluids, MHEC can be used as a thickener and filtrate reducer to improve the rheology of drilling fluids and reduce filtrate losses.
Paper coating: In paper coating, MHEC can be used as a thickener for coating fluids to improve the smoothness and gloss of paper.
Methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is widely used in many industries such as building materials, coatings, daily chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, textile printing and dyeing due to its excellent thickening, water retention, film-forming, bonding and lubricating properties. Its wide range of applications and versatility make it an indispensable and important material in modern industry.