Applications of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) is a kind of nonionic cellulose ether, which is made from natural polymer cellulose by a series of chemical processes. It is a kind of odorless, tasteless and nontoxic white powder or particle, which can be dissolved in cold water to form a transparent viscous solution, and the dissolution is not affected by pH value. Next, the HEC supplier will share the following content with you.

It has the characteristics of thickening, adhesion, dispersion, emulsification, film-forming, suspension, adsorption, surface activity, water retention and salt resistance.

Connect hydroxyethyl cellulose can be widely used in water-based coating, construction mortar, oil drilling, synthetic resin, ceramic industry, medicine, food, textile, agriculture, cosmetics, tobacco, ink, paper daily chemistry and other fields.

Industrial applications

HEC polymers are widely used as water-based binders and thickeners in many industrial applications, i.e. personal care products, pharmaceutical formulations, construction materials, adhesives, etc., and as stabilizers for liquid soaps. They are supplied as white free-flowing granular powders that are easily soluble in cold and hot water, thus providing clear solutions with different viscosities depending on polymer concentration, type and temperature.

Thickening agent

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used as a thickening agent for aqueous cosmetic and personal care formulations. It will produce crystal clear gel products and thicken the aqueous phase of cosmetic emulsions. It can be also be used to efficiently thicken shampoos, body washes and shower gels.

One of the problems normally associated with this and other water-soluble thickeners is the tendency of the particles to agglomerate or lump when first wetted with water. The high-purity cosmetic grade of Hydroxyethylcellulose is an R-grade, designed to be added to water without lumping, and thus greatly facilitating solution preparation. It is also the most efficient grade of non-ionic thickener available from the manufacturer.

Hydration of the R-grade particles has been inhibited. When the particles are added to water, they disperse without lumping, and following a predetermined delay, begin to dissolve. This process permits the preparation of clear, smooth, viscous solutions in a short period of time by simply adding the R-grade to water and stirring until the polymer is completely dissolved to prevent settling of the particles.

The inhibition period, from the initial wetting to the start of dissolution, is referred to as the hydration time. This hydration time can vary from 4-25 min. Hydration time is markedly affected by two factors: pH and temperature of the water. A higher temperature and a higher pH decrease the hydration time, but a too high temperature or pH can result in lumping. So, it is recommended that it be added to room temperature water with a neutral pH. Once hydrated, it can be heated and the pH can be adjusted as may be needed.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)

Hydroxyethyl cellulose is developed and produced by our company for many years. Hydroxyethyl cellulose is a kind of uniform and efficient non-ionic water-soluble polymer. Two products hpy30000s and hpy50000s with different viscosity range are introduced, which are suitable for different fields. Hpy30000s and hpy50000s are mainly used for emulsion paint and hpy50000s for stone paint.

Main quality performance OF HEC

Versatility: it can be used in different emulsion systems and pH conditions.

Excellent color paste and pigment compatibility

Good water retention

Good color mixing viscosity stability

Good storage stability

Better low foaming and transparency

If you want to know about the wholesale HEC, welcome to contact us.