Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose, the most abundant polymer in nature. It is widely used in food, cosmetics, medicine, latex paint, building products, ceramics, and many other fields. This product can be used as thickening agent, adhesive, film forming agent and water retention agent, it can also be used as suspension agent, surfactant, lubricant, colloidal protective agent, emulsifier. In addition, HPMC’s thermal gel is a unique property that plays a key role in a variety of different applications. Other types of water-soluble polymers do not have as many properties.
In order to meet the versatility, Everbright HPMC products are available in three different forms, powder, surface treatment powder and dedicated, to adapt to different solutions.
General properties of HPMC
Water-soluble HPMC dissolves in water without solubility limitation. Surface treated and granular HPMC can be added directly to water-based systems, which makes it easy to use and control the dissolution rate. However, untreated Masol powder products are soluble in cold water and must be thoroughly dispersed in water to prevent agglomerations.
Non-ionic charge HPMC is non-ionic and will not react with metal salts and other ionic substances to produce insoluble complex.
Hot gel HPMC can provide fast gel performance at a specific temperature. Different protein thickeners form gels that return to their original state when cooled.
As surfactant, HPMC can provide emulsification, anti – caking and long-term stability in aqueous solution.
Metabolically inactive as an additive in food and medicine, HPMC does not add calories to food.
Enzymatic resistant HPMC can provide stable viscosity during long-term storage.
HPMC is very stable in the pH2-13 range.
Water – retaining HPMC is a highly efficient water – retaining agent. This is a very important property for construction, food, ceramic surface coatings and other fields.
Thickening HPMC can thicken waterborne and non-waterborne systems. Viscosity is related to the molecular weight, chemical type and concentration of the product.
The transparent, strong and soft film formed by FILM-forming HPMC products can isolate oil. In the food industry, it is often used to retain water and prevent oil absorption during cooking.
Adhesion HPMC is often used as a high-performance adhesive in the pigment, paper, tobacco, food, pharmaceutical and ceramic industries.
Lubricity HPMC is used to reduce friction in the extrusion of rubber products, cement and ceramics. It can also be used to improve the pumpability of cement and painted gypsum, such as decorative mortars, and in the food industry as an auxiliary lubricant for extrusion molding.
Suspended HPMC can be used to control the settling of solid particles, such as spices and dressings in salads, solids in ceramics, suspended antacids, etc.
HPMC can be used to prevent liquid condensation or particle agglomeration.
Emulsified HPMC stabilizes the emulsion by reducing the surface tension and increasing the system consistency.
The application of HPMC
- Construction products
Wall plaster
HPMC provides construction, shrinkage crack resistance and smoothness in wall plastering, water retention increases the opening time and maintains the humidity of the product.
Cement tile binder
HPMC provides water retention and operability for Portland cement-based ceramic tile bonding mortars and mortar, and improves adhesion, prevents crusting, and extends development time.
Masonry mortar
As a modified additive for masonry mortar, it can improve the durability and constructability, and has the effect of inducing, and can reduce the amount of additive for this purpose.
Gypsum binder, cement binder, plaster plaster, spray plaster
HPMC improves the constructability, pumpability, and consistency of gypsum binders, stucco gypsum, and spray gypsum. They also provide water retention and settlement resistance.
Walls and ceilings
HPMC products PROVIDE PUMP, adhesion, constructability and water retention in wall and ceiling products.
Cement products and stucco mortar
HPMC provides water retention during cement curing and improves constructability and pumpability.
2, food
Noodles food
Thermofusibility can retain gas during baking, increase baking volume and improve texture. Mexel also offers a softer texture, increased shelf life, improved batter emulsification, and improved freeze-thaw stability.
candy
On glazing, icing and coating layers, Meshaler Food adhesives improve lubricity, ease of application, provide a creamy texture, improve coating, and have a fresh smell. In addition, the MerXerox adhesive keeps the icing and glaze intact during heating and returns to the original product during cooling.
Pies and stuffing
The hot gel property prevents the transfer of water from the inside to the shell during baking. Mechaler also improves freeze-thaw stability.
Frozen pastry
HPMC controls the removal of ice crystals to provide a soft texture, modifies the size of ice crystals to give smooth texture and improve emulsion stability, and increases air entraining to increase volume.
Vegetable products
Provides excellent film formation and high viscosity for foods that need to be mixed together.
Fried food
Adding HPMC can form a barrier of insoluble oil to prevent oil absorption and water loss during frying, and improve the cohesiveness of meat or vegetables.
Thick margarine butter
HPMC improves the stirring performance and provides a good matrix and appearance. Improve emulsion stability, prevent dehydration and shrinkage, increase opening time.
Puffed food
The low concentration of HPMC provides the best bonding force in the structural system. Because of its moisture and oil insoluble, so that fried food can be more water less greasy. The hot gel adds control. Improve lubricity during processing.
sauce
HPMC makes the water-oil emulsifier have better stability and prolong its storage time. Solid suspensions are retained longer and the flow characteristics are retained.
- Ceramic processing
casting
The use of METHOCEL provides good flow leveling and uniform thickness. Meet the electronics industry low sodium residue and purity requirements. Hot gel can reduce substrate migration and surface defects.
extrusion
Used as a temporary binder and processing aid, METHOCEL cellulose ether allows precise control of the rheological properties of ceramic mixtures, allowing a wider processing range. Lubricity reduces energy consumption and die wear, resulting in smooth surfaces. The hot gel allows for fine extrusion, and the thin-wall shape does not settle or deform.
Drying and isobaric processing
Optimum particle lubrication and uniform packaging are provided because of the predictable density of the billet, low shrinkage during firing and high firepower.
Glazed/enameled decoration
Improved viscosity control and rheological properties and complete sintering in brick kilns.
The molding
Provides higher billet strength and density. In high temperature coating, refractory mixture of good mortar, HPMC has low salt ion residue, they will not reduce the melting point. In fact, the low melting point can reduce the amount of plastic agent.
- Chemicals
resin
Used TO CONTROL RHEOLOGY AND AS A COLLOID STABILIZER FOR EPOXY, GLASS FIBER, UREA FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER RESINS, PROVIDING IDEAL FLOW AND LEVELING, with fast curing properties due to hot gel.
rubber
HPMC is used as a release agent, stabilizer and thickener in rubber latex, which helps to reduce stomata by uniform drying.
Suspension polymerization of PVC
HPMC is used as primary and secondary suspension agent in PVC polymerization. It provides excellent particle size control and good porosity to improve plasticizer absorption, reaction residue and density.
5,
Cleaners and detergents
Household cleaners and washes require HPMC products to provide viscosity control, bonding, foaming, soil anti-sedimentation and emulsion stabilization
shampoo
HPMC is widely used as a thickening agent in shampoo. Because HPMC thickening does not depend on the amount of surfactant, can be used as dry or normal hair with shampoo thickening agent, HPMC can help foam stability, because shampoo has better foam characteristics.
Face cream and lotion
HPMC can form film and secondary thickening, which improves the aftersensation and other olfactory characteristics of creams and lotions.
6, medicine,
Tablet coating
HPMC can form a strong film with good adhesion. They provide flavor and act as a protective coating for water-sensitive drugs or components.
granulation
Used as a binder at low concentration in the granulation process, HPMC can produce hard tablets with low brittleness, and has no negative effect on the dissolution of tablets, which can reduce the compression force. An important factor is that it can extend the life of tools and equipment.