Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a water-soluble polymer that is widely used in a variety of applications due to its unique properties. HEC is derived from cellulose and is commonly used as a thickening, stabilizing, and rheology-modifying agent in various industries.HEC is a versatile polymer with a wide range of applications due to its unique properties, such as its water-solubility, thickening and stabilizing abilities, and rheology-modifying properties. Its versatility and ease of use make it a popular choice in various industries, including paint&coating, personal care, construction, food, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, paper, and textiles.
●Paint&Coating thickener
The latex paint containing HEC component has the properties of fast dissolution, low foam, good thickening effect, good color expansion and more stability. Its non-ionic properties help to stabilize over a wide pH range and allow a wide range of formulations.
The superior performance of HEC HS series products is that the hydration can be controlled by adding the thickener to the water at the beginning of the pigment grinding.
High viscosity grades of HEC HS100000, HEC HS150000 and HEC HS200000 are mainly developed for the production of water-soluble latex paints, and the dosage is smaller than other thickeners.
●Agriculture
Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) can effectively suspend solid poisons in water-based sprays.
The application of HEC in the spray operation can play the role of adhering the poison to the leaf surface; HEC can be used as the thickener of the spray emulsion to reduce the drift of the medicine, thereby increasing the use effect of the foliar spray.
HEC can also be used as a film-forming agent in seed coating agents; as a binder in the recycling of tobacco leaves.
●Building materials
HEC can be used in gypsum, cement, lime and mortar systems, tile paste and mortar. In the cement component, it can also be used as a retarder and a water-retaining agent. In the surface treatment of siding operations, it is used in the formulation of latex, which can pre-treat the surface and relieve the pressure of the wall, so that the effect of painting and surface coating is better; it can be used as a thickener for wallpaper adhesive.
HEC can improve the performance of gypsum mortar by increasing hardening and application time. In terms of compressive strength, torsional strength and dimensional stability, HEC has better effect than other celluloses.
●Cosmetics and detergents
HEC is an effective film former, binder, thickener, stabilizer and dispersant in shampoos, hair sprays, neutralizers, conditioners and cosmetics. Its thickening and protective colloid properties can be used in liquid and solid detergent industries. HEC dissolves quickly at high temperature, which can speed up the production process and improve production efficiency. It is well known that the distinct feature of detergents containing HEC is to improve the smoothness and mercerization of fabrics.
●Latex polymerization
Selecting HEC with a certain molar substitution degree can play the best effect in the process of catalyzing the polymerization of protective colloids; in controlling the growth of polymer particles, stabilizing latex performance, and resistance to low temperature and high temperature, and mechanical shearing, HEC can be used. to the best effect. During the polymerization of latex, HEC can protect the concentration of colloid within a critical range, and control the size of polymer particles and the degree of freedom of participating reactive groups.
●Petroleum extraction
HEC is tackifying in processing and filling slurries. It helps provide good low solids mud with minimal damage to the wellbore. Slurry thickened with HEC is easily degraded to hydrocarbons by acids, enzymes or oxidants and maximizes oil recovery.
In the fractured mud, HEC can play the role of carrying mud and sand. These fluids can also be easily degraded by the above acids, enzymes or oxidants.
Ideal low solids drilling fluid can be formulated with HEC, which provides greater permeability and better drilling stability. Its fluid-retaining properties can be used in drilling hard rock formations as well as in slump or slump shale formations.
In the operation of adding cement, HEC reduces the frictional resistance of the pore-pressure cement slurry, thereby minimizing the damage to the structure caused by the loss of water.
●Paper and ink
HEC can be used as glazing agent for paper and cardboard and protective glue for ink. HEC has the advantage of being independent of paper size in printing, and can be used for printing high-quality pictures, and at the same time, it can also reduce costs due to its low surface penetration and strong gloss.
It can also be applied to any size paper or cardboard printing or calendar printing. In the sizing of paper, its usual dosage is 0.5 ~ 2.0 g/m2.
HEC can increase the preservation performance of water in paint colors, especially for paints with a high proportion of latex.
In the papermaking process, HEC has other superior properties, including compatibility with most gums, resins and inorganic salts, instant solubility, low foaming, low oxygen consumption and the ability to form a smooth surface film.
In ink manufacturing, HEC is used in the production of water-based copy inks that dry quickly and spread well without sticking.
●Fabric sizing
HEC has long been used in the sizing and dyeing of yarn and fabric materials, and the glue can be washed away from the fibers by washing with water. In combination with other resins, HEC can be more widely used in fabric treatment, in glass fiber it is used as a forming agent and binder, and in leather pulp as a modifier and binder.
Fabric latex coatings, adhesives and adhesives
Adhesives thickened with HEC are pseudoplastic, that is, they thin under shear, but quickly return to high viscosity control and improve print clarity.
HEC can control the release of moisture and allow it to flow continuously on the dye roll without adding adhesive. Controlling the release of water allows for more open time, which is beneficial for filler containment and the formation of a better adhesive film without significantly increasing drying time.
HEC HS300 at a concentration of 0.2% to 0.5% in solution improves the mechanical strength of non-woven adhesives, reduces wet cleaning on wet rolls, and increases the wet strength of the final product.
HEC HS60000 is an ideal adhesive for printing and dyeing non-woven fabrics, and can obtain clear, beautiful images.
HEC can be used as a binder for acrylic paints and as an adhesive for non-woven processing. Also used as a thickener for fabric primers and adhesives. It does not react with fillers and remains effective at low concentrations.
Dyeing and printing of fabric carpets
In carpet dyeing, such as the Kusters continuous dyeing system, few other thickeners can match the thickening effect and compatibility of HEC. Due to its good thickening effect, it is easily soluble in various solvents, and its low impurity content does not interfere with dye absorption and color diffusion, making printing and dyeing free from insoluble gels (which can cause spots on fabrics) and Homogeneity limits for high technical requirements.
●Other applications
Fire—
HEC can be used as an additive to increase the coverage of fireproof materials, and has been widely used in the formulation of fireproof “thickeners”.
casting—
HEC improves the wet strength and shrinkage of cement sand and sodium silicate sand systems.
Microscopy—
HEC can be used in the production of film, as a dispersant for the production of microscope slides.
photography—
Used as a thickener in high-salt fluids for processing films.
Fluorescent tube paint—
In fluorescent tube coatings, it is used as a binder for fluorescent agents and a stable dispersant in a uniform and controllable ratio. Choose from different grades and concentrations of HEC to control adhesion and wet strength.
Electroplating and Electrolysis—
HEC can protect the colloid from the influence of electrolyte concentration; hydroxyethyl cellulose can promote uniform deposition in the cadmium electroplating solution.
Ceramics-
Can be used to formulate high-strength binders for ceramics.
Cable—
Water repellent prevents moisture from entering damaged cables.
Toothpaste-
Can be used as a thickener in toothpaste manufacturing.
Liquid Detergent—
Mainly used for the adjustment of detergent rheology.