What is Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC/MHEC)

Hydroxyethyl methylcellulose (HEMC) was prepared by adding ethylene oxide (MS0.3~0.4) in methyl cellulose (MC), and its salinity was better than unmodified polymer,gel temperature of HEMC was also higher than MC.

Synonym: 2-Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose; HYDROXYETHYL METHYL CELLULOSE; CELLULOSE METHYL HYDROXYETHYL ETHER; METHYL HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE; Cellulose,2-hydroxyethylmethylether; Tylose MH300; Hydroxythyl Methyl Cellulose; HydroxythylMethylCellulose(Hemc);MHEC;

Features

Solubility: soluble in water and some organic solvents. Soluble in cold water. Its highest concentration depends only on viscosity. Solubility varies with viscosity. The lower the viscosity, the greater the solubility. Some brand products are soluble in binary organic solvents and organic solvent water systems.

Salt resistance: the product is ionic cellulose ether, and it was not polyelectrolyte, therefore in metal salt or organic electrolyte, in water solution is stable, but addition of electrolytes, excessive can cause gel and precipitation.

Surface activity: due to surface active function of aqueous solution, it can be used as protective agent, emulsifier and dispersant.

Thermal gel: product solution when heated to certain temperature, less transparent, gel, the formation of precipitation, but during continuous cooling, then back to its original state of solution, and gel temperature and precipitation mainly depends on their lubricant, suspending agent, protective colloid, emulsifier, etc.

Metabolism: inert and low odor and fragrance, which are widely used in food and medicine because they are not metabolized and have low odor and fragrance.

Anti-mildew resistance: good anti-mildew resistance, good viscosity stability in long term storage.

PH stability: viscosity of product aqueous solution is hardly affected by acid or alkali, and PH value is stable in range of 3.0-11.0.

Low ash content: since MHEC is a non-ionic type, hot water washing is used effectively in the preparation process, so its ash content is very low.

Shape remains: due to high concentration aqueous solution product compared with other polymer solution has special viscoelasticity , MHEC/HEMC has the ability to improve shape of the extruded ceramic products unchanged, etc.

Water retention:high viscosity of its aqueous solution is effective water retaining agent.

Other features: thickening agent, film forming agent, adhesive, lubricant, suspending agent, protective colloid, emulsifier, etc.