Application of cellulose ether in wall putty and putty

Cellulose ether is an organic compound with excellent performance, which is widely used in the field of building materials, especially in the preparation process of wall putty and internal and external wall putty. It can not only effectively improve the construction performance of putty, but also improve the durability and strength of putty after application.

1. Overview of cellulose ether

Cellulose ether is a class of water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer compounds formed by chemical modification based on natural cellulose. Common cellulose ethers include hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), etc. These cellulose ethers have good thickening, water retention, lubrication, film-forming and other properties, so they are widely used in building materials.

2. The role of cellulose ether in putty

Improve the construction performance of putty

Cellulose ether improves the rheological properties of putty, so that the workability and leveling properties of putty can be improved, making it easier to apply and level. Especially in large-scale construction, the thickening property of cellulose ether can make putty better adhere to the wall, reduce sagging, and ensure the stability of construction quality.

Improve water retention

The putty layer needs to maintain a certain wet state during the construction process to ensure the uniformity and adhesion of the subsequent drying process. Cellulose ether molecules can absorb a large amount of water and form a water molecule network in the putty, slowing down the evaporation rate of the putty water, thereby significantly improving the water retention of the putty. This water retention makes the putty less likely to crack or powder when it is constructed under high temperature or dry conditions, prolonging the construction open time and ensuring the quality of the putty layer.

Enhance bond strength

Increasing the content of cellulose ether can improve the adhesion of the putty and ensure that the putty is firmly attached to the surface of the base. When the putty is applied, cellulose ether can not only enhance the toughness of the putty, but also provide a certain degree of adhesion during the drying process to prevent the putty layer from falling off or warping. This is especially important for smooth surfaces and non-absorbent bases because cellulose ether provides additional adhesion properties.

Control the drying speed

Cellulose ether can adjust the drying speed of the putty so that the putty layer can dry evenly, thereby effectively preventing cracking caused by rapid water loss on the surface. For the construction of multi-layer putty, the appropriate drying speed is particularly important, which helps to ensure the adhesion between layers and the overall effect.

Improve anti-sagging performance

In vertical walls or ceilings, putty is easily affected by gravity and has problems of sagging and sagging. The thickening effect of cellulose ether can effectively improve the viscosity and stability of putty, prevent the material from sliding due to gravity, and ensure the uniform distribution of putty.

3. Main types and selection of cellulose ethers

Different types of cellulose ethers have different effects in putty, and it is very important to choose the right type of cellulose ether. The following are several commonly used cellulose ethers and their characteristics:

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC): It has good thickening, water retention and film-forming properties and is widely used in building putty. HPMC can significantly improve the construction and film-forming properties of putty, make putty smoother when applied, and improve the adhesion and smoothness of putty.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC): It is mainly used in water-based systems, has good thickening and rheology control capabilities, and is often used in interior wall putty and water-based coatings. HEC has a significant improvement effect on the coating leveling of putty, but its water retention is slightly inferior to HPMC.

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC): HPC has high viscosity and excellent stability, and is suitable for occasions with high requirements for anti-sagging. Adding an appropriate amount of HPC to putty can significantly improve the anti-sagging performance and strength of putty.

4. Application advantages and market prospects of cellulose ethers

The application advantages of cellulose ethers in putty are significant, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Cost saving: Cellulose ethers can effectively improve the working performance of putty, reduce the number of reworks, and thus reduce material and labor costs.

Environmental protection: Cellulose ethers are natural materials made from renewable resources, with good environmental protection, non-toxic to the human body, and help meet the needs of modern building materials for green environmental protection.

Adapt to a variety of climates: The water retention and crack resistance of cellulose ethers make it suitable for construction under different climatic conditions, meeting the needs of different construction environments such as dry north and humid south.

Good market prospects: With the development of green buildings and the increasing demand for high-performance building materials, the market demand for cellulose ethers as key additives has increased year by year. Especially in the decoration industry, the requirements for wall flatness and surface beauty have been improved, which has broadened the development space of putty products. Cellulose ether as a modifier will have greater application prospects.

5. Precautions for cellulose ether in putty application

Although cellulose ether has many advantages in putty, the following points should be noted in the actual application process:

Dosage control: Excessive addition of cellulose ether will lead to excessive viscosity of putty and affect the construction leveling. Therefore, the amount of cellulose ether added in the putty formula needs to be reasonably controlled to ensure the best construction performance.

Uniform dispersion: The dispersion of cellulose ether in putty will directly affect its effect. In order to avoid the agglomeration of cellulose ether, it is necessary to adopt appropriate stirring methods when preparing putty to ensure that it is evenly dispersed in the water phase.

Compatibility with other additives: Putty formulas usually contain other additives, such as redispersible latex powder, fillers, etc. The compatibility of cellulose ether with these additives will directly affect the performance of putty, so the interaction between various ingredients should be fully considered when designing the formula.

The application of cellulose ether in wall putty and putty not only improves the construction and application effect of putty, but also extends the service life of putty and reduces quality problems caused by improper construction. With the continuous expansion of the green building and decorative materials market, cellulose ether, as an environmentally friendly and efficient building additive, has broad application prospects. In the design of putty formula, the reasonable selection and use of cellulose ether can provide more ideal flatness and durability for building walls, thereby meeting different climatic conditions and construction requirements, and providing strong guarantees for the high-quality development of modern buildings.