What This Grade Is For
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Ether as a Film Former is supplied by Yiyuantong Chemical as a multi-purpose thickener, binder and stabiliser for water-based systems. The grade is positioned around film formation: it lays down a continuous, water-soluble film as the carrier leaves. Hydroxyethylcellulose is generally used as a thickener protective agent, as an adhesive, surfactant, colloid protective agent, dispersant, emulsifier, and dispersion stabilizer.
Key Benefits
- Thickens, suspends, disperses, emulsifies and forms films from a single additive
- Forms a coherent film on drying, which is what holds actives, pigment or treatment chemistry in place
- Stays effective in salty and hard water because the polymer is non-ionic
- Dissolves in cold water to a clear, viscous solution without a cooking step
- Supplied across a wide viscosity range so the grade can be matched to the process
- Held in stock: 800 tonnes of HEC are carried year round, and confirmed orders ship to the named port within 3 working days
Problems It Solves
- Water-based formulations that need viscosity without losing clarity
- Solids that settle out of suspension during storage
- Systems that lose viscosity when salt or hardness is introduced
Application Scenarios
- Water-based industrial formulations
- Suspension and emulsion stabilisation
- Film-forming and binding applications
- Protective colloid systems
Who It Is For
- Chemical formulators
- Industrial blenders
- Speciality product manufacturers
Technical Features
- Non-ionic backbone, so viscosity survives salt and hard water
- Cold-water soluble, no cooking step needed in the mixing room
- Supplied from 300 to 200000 mPa.s so the grade can be matched to the process
- Molar degree of substitution of 1.8 to 3.0 for biological stability and high transmittance
- Solvent process raises the degree of substitution by 30 to 35 percent against traditional routes
Technical Data And Packing
| Product Name | Hydroxyethyl Cellulose |
|---|---|
| CAS No | 9004-62-0 |
| EINECS | 618-387-5 |
| Chemical Formula | (C2H6O2) n |
| Appearance | White or Almost White, Odorless, Tasteless Solid Powder |
| Viscosity | 300-200000 mPa.s |
| Transmittance | ≥80.0 % |
| Molar Degree of Substitution | 1.8-3.0 |
| Water Content | ≤5.0 % |
| Ash Content (as sulfate) | ≤6.0 % |
| PH（1%，Solution） | 6.0～8.5 |
Packing is 25 kg per bag as standard: an inner polyethylene plastic film bag inside an outer composite plastic woven bag. Other pack sizes are arranged on request.
Raw Materials
- High alpha-cellulose refined cotton
- Wood pulp with high cellulose content
- Ethylene oxide
Manufacturing Process
- Alkalisation of refined cotton and wood pulp
- Etherification with ethylene oxide
- Acetone countercurrent washing
- Drying and milling
- 40 mesh screening
- Lot testing and packing
Quality Control
- Every lot is tested in our own laboratory against the customer specification before release
- Third-party verification is available through SGS, which we have worked with on export lots
- Certificate of analysis issued with each shipment; HPLC or NMR data supplied on request
- Acetone countercurrent washing removes process residues before drying and milling
How It Compares
| Anionic thickeners | The non-ionic backbone keeps viscosity stable where salts would knock down an anionic polymer |
|---|---|
| Synthetic associative thickeners | Cellulose ether is less dependent on the surfactant balance of the formulation |
Use Guide
- Add under agitation to cold water and hydrate fully before adjusting pH or adding electrolytes
- Match the viscosity grade to the shear and solids of your process
Customisation Options
- Viscosity grade selected against your process, from 300 to 200000 mPa.s
- Private label bags printed with your own label content
- Packing sizes arranged to suit your blending line
- Sample shipment by FEDEX, DHL or EMS before a production order
Certification And Inspection
- SGS third-party inspection available on export lots
- Certificate of analysis issued with every shipment
- HPLC or NMR data supplied on request
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Industry Pages
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Ether as a Film Former FAQ
How do I choose between viscosity grades?
Start from the viscosity your process needs and the shear it applies. Send both and we will recommend a grade from the 300 to 200000 mPa.s range.
Can I get a sample before ordering?
Yes. Samples ship by FEDEX, DHL or EMS; some are free and you cover the freight.
How thick a film does it form?
Film thickness follows the solids and the wet application weight rather than the polymer alone. Send your application method and we will suggest a viscosity grade to trial.
Are you a manufacturer or a trading company?
We are a manufacturer and you are welcome to visit the plant. Our hydroxyethyl cellulose project runs at 5000 tonnes a year on an acetone countercurrent washing process.
What payment terms do you accept?
L/C, T/T, D/A, D/P, PayPal and Western Union. We have worked with China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation for many years.
How fast can you ship?
Stock items are despatched within 5 days of payment. If the grade is not in stock, production and despatch take 7 to 10 days from payment.
Get A Price For Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Ether as a Film Former
Send the quantity, the viscosity grade and the destination port. We reply with price, lead time and the lot analysis.