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Carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC), abbreviated from its full name Carboxymethyl cellulose, is a chemical thickener and emulsifier produced from cellulose as its raw material.
Thickening Agent: CMC, when dissolved in water, forms a viscous solution that increases the liquid’s viscosity, making it easier to suspend and maintain stability. Consequently, CMC is commonly used in various liquid products in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, including sauces, beverages, and emulsions.
Adhesive: CMC exhibits strong adhesive properties, allowing it to bind different substances together. In the food industry, CMC is frequently employed in the production of gum for products like candies and bread, enhancing their stickiness and texture.
Moisturizer: CMC has the ability to absorb and retain water, providing effective moisturizing effects. Therefore, it is commonly used as a moisturizer in cosmetics and personal care products, such as shampoos, masks, and lotions.
Stabilizer: CMC contributes to stabilizing emulsions and suspensions, preventing separation and precipitation. In the food industry, CMC is often used in dairy products like cheese and ice cream to enhance stability.
Carboxymethyl cellulose has various functions, including thickening, adhesive, moisturizing, and stabilizing properties, making it widely applicable in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
CMC Carboxymethyl Cellulose Powder-QingQuan Cellulose Ether
Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose(HPMC) is a cellulose variety with rapidly increasing production and usage in recent years. It is derived from refined cotton subjected to alkalization, using epichlorohydrin and chloromethane as etherification agents, and produced through a series of reactions to form a non-ionic cellulose mixed ether. The degree of substitution generally ranges from 1.2 to 2.0. Its properties vary depending on the ratio of methoxy content to hydroxypropyl content.
Solubility: HPMC is easily soluble in cold water, while dissolution in hot water may pose challenges. However, its gelation temperature in hot water is significantly higher than that of methyl cellulose. Its solubility in cold water is greatly improved compared to methyl cellulose.
Viscosity: The viscosity of HPMC is related to its molecular weight, with higher molecular weight resulting in higher viscosity. Temperature also affects viscosity, with viscosity decreasing as temperature rises. However, the impact of high temperature on viscosity is lower compared to methyl cellulose. The solution remains stable when stored at room temperature.
Water Retention: The water retention of HPMC depends on factors such as the dosage and viscosity. Under the same dosage, its water retention rate is higher than that of methyl cellulose.
Stability: HPMC exhibits stability in acidic and alkaline environments, remaining stable within a pH range of 2 to 12. It is minimally affected by caustic soda and lime water, with alkalis accelerating its dissolution and enhancing viscosity. HPMC has stability against common salts, but at higher salt solution concentrations, there is a tendency for increased viscosity in HPMC solutions.
Compatibility: HPMC can be mixed with water-soluble high-molecular compounds to create a uniform solution with higher viscosity. Examples include polyvinyl alcohol, starch ethers, and vegetable gums.
Enzyme Resistance: HPMC possesses superior resistance to enzymes compared to methyl cellulose, with a lower likelihood of enzymatic degradation in its solution. HPMC exhibits higher adhesiveness in mortar construction compared to methyl cellulose.
Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) has diverse functionalities, including solubility, viscosity, water retention, stability in various environments, compatibility with other polymers, and enhanced resistance to enzymes, making it a versatile and widely used cellulose derivative in various applications, especially in the construction industry.
Differences in the Applications of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) and Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC):
In the cellulose market, products are classified based on viscosity into low, medium, and high viscosity, each serving different purposes. Therefore, manufacturers need to clearly identify the intended use when making purchases, selecting the appropriate cellulose. Choosing a substitute for cost savings can lead to suboptimal results, resulting in losses to one’s own interests.
Carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC) and carboxymethyl starch sodium (CMS) are relatively inexpensive. CMC, when used in low-grade interior wall putty, has inferior water retention and stability compared to hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), making it unsuitable for waterproof putty and exterior insulation dry mix.
Many people assume that these cellulose products are alkaline, just like cement and calcium hydroxide, which are also alkaline. However, carboxymethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl starch sodium are not simple alkaline elements. The chloroacetic acid used in their production process is acidic. Residues from the cellulose production process react with cement and calcium hydroxide, so they cannot be combined. Many manufacturers suffer significant losses due to this, highlighting the need for attention.
The applications of carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose may appear similar, but their functional differences are substantial. The technical specifications of the two differ significantly. While both primarily use refined cotton as their main raw material, their additives, production equipment, and processes vary. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose production equipment and processes are more complex.
These two types of cellulose employ entirely different production processes and have different additives, so their applications also differ. They cannot be substituted for one another, and combining them to reduce costs is not advisable.
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose(HPMC) exhibits stable chemical properties, resistance to mold, and excellent water retention and thickening effects. Additionally, it is not affected by changes in pH. A viscosity of 100.000 is suitable for putty powder, while viscosity ranging from 150.000 to 200.000 is suitable for mortar, mainly to improve flowability and workability, thereby reducing the amount of cement used. Another role is that cement mortar has a setting period during which it requires curing, with water supply to maintain moisture. Due to cellulose’s water-retaining properties, the necessary moisture for cement mortar setting is guaranteed through cellulose’s water retention, eliminating the need for curing to achieve the setting effect.
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC): which is more suitable as a water retention agent.
1. Purpose and Classification of Water Retention Agents: Water retention agents refer to additives used in industries such as cosmetics and construction materials to maintain the water content of products, preventing dryness and achieving moisturization. Based on different chemical structures, water retention agents can be classified into various types, including inorganic salt moisturizers, organic acid moisturizers, hydroxyl compound moisturizers, and more. Among them, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose are commonly used organic acid moisturizers.
2. Characteristics of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose as a Water Retention Agent: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is a water-soluble high-molecular compound with strong water retention properties, effectively increasing the water content in products. Additionally, it has excellent emulsifying and thickening effects, making the product texture softer and smoother. Moreover, the environmental impact of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose during the production process is relatively low, making it an environmentally friendly water retention agent.
3. Characteristics of Carboxymethyl Cellulose as a Water Retention Agent: Carboxymethyl cellulose is also a commonly used water retention agent, characterized by excellent rheological properties that enhance product fluidity. Additionally, carboxymethyl cellulose exhibits outstanding water retention properties, effectively improving the product’s water retention.
4. Comparison of the Two Water Retention Agents: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose each have unique characteristics as water retention agents. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose excels in water retention, effectively increasing the water content in the product. It also has good emulsifying and thickening effects, and its environmental performance is commendable. On the other hand, carboxymethyl cellulose primarily stands out for its excellent rheological properties and water retention capabilities, enhancing product fluidity.
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose both possess unique characteristics as water retention agents. When applying them, it is necessary to choose the appropriate water retention agent based on specific conditions. In general, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose has strong water retention, emulsifying, and thickening effects, and its environmental performance is commendable. Meanwhile, carboxymethyl cellulose exhibits excellent rheological properties and water retention, improving product fluidity. The choice between the two depends on specific needs and product characteristics.
