The product, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC), is a free flowing and white or light yellow powder, whose screen residue after sifting through the 40-meshes sieve is smaller than 1%. the softening temperature of the product is 135℃--140℃ and apparent density 0.4-0.7g/ml . It can be dissolved in either could or hot water and its viscosity varies little with its PH over the range of 2-12. The HEC through surface treatment can be dispersed in cold water and free from agglomeration, but the dissolution spend more time, namely , more than 30 minutes. If it is heated up or its PH is heightened to 8 above, it is dissolved speedily. The viscosity of the water-solution of HEC decreases with an increase of its temperature and it comes back when the temperature returns to original position, that is to say, it is freeze-thaw-stable. No deposition happens when the aqueous solution of HEC is getting hot and even seething .it is compatible with a huge array of other water-soluble polymers, which are applied as surfactants, and salts.
Main Applications
(1) Latex paints as a protective colloid, the HEC can be used in polymerization of acetate ethylene latex. Its non-ionic character contributes stabilization over a wide PH range and permits broad formulating latitude. In manufacturing, it makes paints, fillings an additive disperse uniformly and acts as a stabilizer and thickener. The HEC is also applied as a dispersant for the suspensions of the polymers such as styrene, acryl ate and propylene, etc. The HEC can make latex paints and stone-like paints thicker and heighten their flowing evenness.
(2) Oil and gas exploration. The HEC can act as a thickener and water holder to contribute to the liquidity and stabilization of the drilling fluid, help improve the fluids. Carrying capacity, and elongate the aiguille’s life-span. It also prevents a large amount of filtrate from entering into the oil layer to stabilize productivity of the oilfield. As a gelling agent for fracturing fluid, because fluids thickened with little residue (1%) being contained, quickly and fully broken with the HEC are easily, quickly and fully broken with little residue (1%) being contained, and they impart minimum damage to terrene (≤25%), it is used to boost the oil well’s output and maximize the potential for hydrocarbon recovery.
(3) Building and construction Owing to its excellent performance in holding water, the HEC is used as a thicker, binder and retarded for grouts and mortars to improve their liquidity and workability, stem evaporation of water, and enhance the initial strength of concrete and make it free from forming crackles. The HEC also shows its advantages when being used in gypsum and cement plasters, and water-proof putty.