How to use HEC thickener?

HEC (hydroxyethyl cellulose) is a non-ionic water-soluble polymer widely used in coatings, building materials, personal care products, pharmaceuticals and other industries. It is mainly used as a thickener, suspending agent, binder and film-forming agent, with good water solubility and thickening ability.

1. Selection and preparation of HEC
Choosing the right HEC product is the first step in use. HEC has different molecular weights, solubility and thickening ability will also vary. Therefore, the right HEC variety should be selected according to specific application requirements. For example, when used in coatings, HEC with moderate viscosity needs to be selected; while in personal care products, HEC with high moisture retention and biocompatibility may need to be selected.

Before use, HEC usually exists in powder form, and care should be taken to prevent moisture absorption and agglomeration when used. HEC can be stored in a dry, well-ventilated environment to avoid direct exposure to humid air.

2. Dissolution process of HEC
HEC is a water-soluble polymer that can be directly dissolved in cold or hot water. Here are the general steps for dissolving HEC:

Dispersing HEC: Slowly add HEC powder to the stirred water to avoid powder agglomeration. To prevent HEC from condensing on the water surface, the water can be heated to 60-70℃ before slowly sprinkling the HEC powder into the water.

Dissolution process: HEC dissolves slowly in water and usually requires stirring for 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the viscosity and molecular weight of the HEC. During the stirring process, the water temperature can be appropriately increased to accelerate the dissolution, but generally not more than 90℃.

Adjusting pH: HEC is sensitive to changes in pH. In some applications, the pH of the solution may need to be adjusted to a specific range (usually 6-8) to achieve the best thickening effect and stability.

Standing and maturation: The dissolved HEC solution usually needs to stand for several hours to overnight to fully mature. This helps to improve the viscosity stability of the solution and ensure the consistency of the thickening effect.

3. Application of HEC
The thickening effect of HEC is widely used in various products. The following are several typical application scenarios and their specific usage methods:

Application in coatings:

HEC, as a thickener for coatings, can improve the fluidity and brushability of coatings and prevent coatings from sagging.
When using, add the HEC solution directly to the coating and stir evenly. Pay attention to controlling the amount of HEC added, usually 0.1% to 0.5% of the total amount of coating.
To avoid the viscosity of the coating decreasing under high shear, select HEC with appropriate molecular weight and viscosity.
Application in personal care products:

In products such as shampoo and shower gel, HEC can be used as a thickener and stabilizer to give the product a good touch and moisturizing effect.
When using, HEC can be dissolved in the water phase of the product, and pay attention to stirring evenly to avoid the formation of coagulation.
The appropriate amount of addition is usually between 0.5% and 2%, and is adjusted according to the desired thickening effect.
Application in building materials:

HEC is commonly used in mortar, gypsum, etc. in building materials, which can improve the water retention and operating performance of the material.
When used, HEC can be dissolved in water first, and then the solution is added to the mixture of building materials.
The amount of addition depends on the specific material, usually between 0.1% and 0.3%.
4. Precautions for use
Temperature control during dissolution: Although increasing the temperature can speed up the dissolution of HEC, too high a temperature may cause HEC degradation, so avoid too high a temperature.

Stirring speed and time: Too fast a stirring speed may cause foaming problems and affect the quality of the final product. Consider using a degasser to remove bubbles from the solution.

Compatibility with other ingredients: When adding HEC to the formula, pay attention to its compatibility with other ingredients. Some ingredients may affect the thickening effect or solubility of HEC, such as high concentrations of electrolytes.

Storage and stability: HEC solution should be used up as soon as possible, because long-term storage may affect the viscosity and stability of the solution.

HEC thickener is widely used in various fields with its excellent performance. The correct use method and operation steps can ensure that HEC plays the best effect. During use, paying attention to factors such as dissolution method, temperature control, addition amount, and compatibility with other ingredients can help achieve the desired thickening effect and product performance.