(MC) Methyl cellulose ethers are most commonly used for numerous applications in the construction industry.
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Methyl cellulose (MC) and methyl cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC) belong to the group of non-ionic cellulose ethers. These products are obtained by etherification, in which water-insoluble cellulose is converted to water-soluble cellulose ethers.
MC derivatives are produced in a wide range of performance characteristics such as solution viscosity and chemical composition. HPMC and HEMC are referred to as mixed ethers because they contain different types of substituents that impart both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties to the product.
Methyl cellulose has become a collective term for many different types of the „MC“ family.
Today, MC and its mixed ethers are used as thickeners, binders, film formers and water retention agents. They are also used as suspension aids, surfactants, lubricants, protective colloids and emulsifiers. Solutions of MC derivatives gel thermally, a unique property that plays a key role in a variety of applications.
The construction industry is by far the most important application for mixed ethers. MCs influence the water retention capacity, consistency, adhesion and plasticization of plasters, renders, adhesives, grouts and fillers, as well as specialty concretes based on mineral or dispersion-based systems.
HEC is a non-ionic, water-soluble cellulose ether. Through chemical reaction with ethylene oxide (EO), the molecular chains of cellulose are converted into a range of soluble, easy-to-handle industrial products.
The major commercially available types are completely soluble in hot or cold water and are produced in a wide range of solution viscosities. HEC is used as a water thickener, protective colloid, binder, stabilizer and suspending agent in a wide variety of industrial applications. The largest single industrial application is in latex paints.
Another derivative is ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC). It is a water-soluble cellulose ether produced by chemical modification. It is widely used in the construction industry as an additive to mortars and plasters, in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of tablets, and in cosmetics and paints as a thickening and stabilizing agent.
CMC or cellulose gum is a cellulose ether produced by reacting alkali cellulose with sodium monochloroacetate under strictly controlled conditions.
CMC is used as a viscosity modifier or thickener and to stabilize emulsions in a variety of products, both food (e.g. ketchup) and nonfood (e.g. paper). It is used mainly for its high viscosity, is non-toxic and is generally considered hypoallergenic as the main fiber source is either softwood pulp or cotton linters.
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Non-food applications include toothpaste, laxatives, diet pills, water-based paints, detergents, sizing agents for textiles, reusable heat packs, various paper products and also in leather processing for smoothing edges.
Our centrifuges have been used for the separation of cellulose ethers and their derivatives since the s. All leading manufacturers in Europe, Asia, North and South America use our centrifuges worldwide in a variety of production stages, some of which are gas-tight.
Separation and product washing by centrifugation is essential to remove impurities and by-products from the desired end product, the cellulose ether, and to ensure its purity and quality. This is because various reagents and chemicals are used in the chemical modification of the cellulose feedstock to produce cellulose ethers.
These reactions can result in complex mixtures that may contain by-products, unwanted impurities and unreacted reagents in addition to the desired cellulose ether.
Pure cellulose ethers with specific properties are required to achieve the desired functions and performance. The use of centrifuges is therefore an essential step in obtaining high quality cellulose ethers with defined properties.
In Building & construction industry, cellulose ether controls the water retention and the consistency, meanwhile KimaCell cellulose ether products increase the stability and homogeneity of all types of dry mix mortar. Our cellulose ethers are mostly used as rheology modifiers in various construction applications, and optimises the following properties of Mortar:
Water retention
Open time
Consistency
Adhesives strength
Slip resistance
Dry Mortar formulations are depending on local building culture and different raw materials used. The dosage of KimaCell®Cellulose ether should be about 0.3 to 0.6% in drymix mortar.
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