HEMC
Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose
HEMC (Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose)
Michem HEMC or MHEC is a key additive of construction materials with additional thickening, better workability, less stickiness, longer open time, etc. The most important fields of application for HEMC are tile adhesives, wall putty, skim coats, renders, and plasters.
| HEMC CAS No. | 9032-42-2 |
| Packing | 25kg/bag, custom packing available |
| Delivery | 7-10 working days |
| Payment Terms | T/T or L/C at sight |
Product Details
Product Description
Michem Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC) also known as Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (MHEC) , is a non-ionic, water soluble cellulose polymer made from natural cellulose through a series of etherification reactions. It can be used as thickeners, binders, surfactants, protective colloids,suspending agents and water retention agents in many construction materials.
Product Specifications
| Appearance: | white or off-white powder |
| Moisture: | ≤5% |
| Ash: | ≤5% |
| Etherification(MS/DS): | 0.8-1.2/1.8-2.0 |
| pH value: | 6-8 |
| Gel temperature: | 70-85°C |
| Viscosity: | 400-75,000 mPa.s (Brookfield RV, 2%) |
Michem HEMC EM-100K
For Wall Putty / Skim Coat
Excellent adhesion & Good open time & Sag resistance
Michem HEMC EM-200K
For Tile Adhesive
Excellent open time & Good adhesion & Excellent workability
Five Star Products！
We offer the most suitable grades for different uses. Get a cellulose ether solution according to your applications.
Our Honored Grades
Michem HEMC products are excellent in water solubility, water retention, surface activity, thickening, adhesion, suspension, and high-temperature resistance, etc. Our products have been widely used in various industries, including tile adhesives, grouts, skim coat/wall putty, cement renders, gypsum-based products, and cement-based mortars.
| Grade | (Brookfield-RV, 2% ) | Recommend Application | Product Advantages |
| EM20K | 10000-25000 | Tile Adhesives; EIFS/ETICS; Skim Coat/ Wall Putty; Cement based Render; Gypsum Plaster | Good workability & Good sag resistance |
| EM30K | 25000-35000 | Tile Adhesives; EIFS/ETICS; Skim Coat/ Wall Putty; Cement based Render; Gypsum Plaster | Good workability & Less lump formation & Good sag resistance |
| EM80K | 35000-45000 | Tile Adhesives; EIFS/ETICS; Skim Coat/ Wall Putty; Cement based Render; Gypsum Plaster | Excellent workability & Extended open time & High temperature stability |
| EM100K | 45000-60000 | Skim Coat/ Wall Putty; Cement based Render; Gypsum Plaster | Good sag resistance & Excellent workability & High temperature stability |
| EM200K | 65000-80000 | Tile Adhesives; EIFS/ETICS | Good sag resistance & Excellent water retention & High adhesive strength & High temperature stability |
How does Michem HEMC improve the final product?
Thickening effect
Michem HEMC Increases the viscosity of the product and enhances the stability of the suspension. When used as a thickener in building applications, it prevents segregation and improves the cohesion of the formulation components.
Water retention
Michem HEMC Substantially reduces the loss of water when applied to water absorbing materials especially in high-temperature environments, effectively prolonging the opening time.
Slip resistance
Michem HEMC Increases the tthixotropyof the product and prevents sagging to various substrates. Provides adhesives with better slip properties.
Open time & Tensile adhesion strength
Less skin formation and high water retention through Michem HEMC ensure better quality during longer working time on the field. The addition of Michem HEMC ensures longer open time, higher tensile adhesion strength, and better workability.
FAQs About HEMC
Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC) is a non-ionic, water-soluble cellulose ether derived from cellulose, the most abundant polymer in nature. It is modified with hydroxyethyl and methyl groups, enhancing its solubility and functionality. HEMC acts as a thickening agent, improves water retention, and is widely used in various industries due to its versatile properties.
The viscosity of Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC) can vary widely depending on its molecular weight and degree of substitution. HEMC is available in different grades, each with a specific viscosity range. The viscosity is usually measured in solutions, typically a 2% solution in water, at a standard temperature (often 25°C).
Here are some general viscosity ranges for HEMC:
- Low viscosity grades: Approximately 5 to 100 mPa·s (millipascal seconds)
- Medium viscosity grades: Approximately 100 to 4,000 mPa·s
- High viscosity grades: Approximately 4,000 to 100,000 mPa·s or more
Specific applications may require different viscosity grades of HEMC. For instance, lower viscosity grades might be used in applications where lower thickening is needed, while higher viscosity grades are used when greater thickening and film-forming properties are required. The exact viscosity grade should be chosen based on the requirements of the specific application.
In construction materials, Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC) mainly provides the following functions and properties:
- Water Retention: Enhances the water retention of cement and gypsum-based materials, preventing rapid drying and cracking.
- Thickening: Increases the viscosity of mixtures, improving workability and handling.
- Workability: Improves the workability of mortars and adhesives, making application smoother.
- Adhesion: Enhances the bonding strength between materials, improving adhesion performance.
- Anti-Sagging: Reduces sagging of tiles and other building materials during the adhesive process, ensuring precise application.
These properties make HEMC widely used in cement mortars, gypsum products, and tile adhesives in the construction industry.
In plaster applications, Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC) primarily serves the following functions:
- Water Retention: Enhances the water retention capacity of the plaster, preventing rapid drying and ensuring a longer working time.
- Thickening: Increases the viscosity of the plaster mix, improving its workability and ease of application.
- Workability: Improves the smoothness and consistency of the plaster, making it easier to apply and finish.
- Adhesion: Enhances the bonding strength of the plaster to the substrate, ensuring better adhesion and durability.
- Stability: Provides stability to the plaster mix, preventing segregation and improving homogeneity.
These functions make HEMC a valuable additive in plaster formulations, contributing to better performance and application properties.
Is It Good HEMC? Things you Need to Know
We have selected the most common questions that our customers have asked in the past, to ensure that we provide the best solutions and support to you.
We are happy to provide 200-500g samples for your testing. Please let us know which product and grades you are interested in. You can contact us through admin@michemicals.com or to request a free sample,our sales representatives will reply you in 12 hours.
Certainly, we can provide you with the TDS (Technical Data Sheet), COA (Certificate of Analysis), and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for our product.To receive these documents, please let us know which specific product you are interested in and provide us with your contact information. We will then send the requested documents to you as soon as possible.
Our MOQ is set at 1 ton to ensure that we can offer competitive pricing and maintain product quality. If you have any concerns about meeting the MOQ, please let us know and we will try to work with you to find a solution that meets your needs.
25kg/ Paper bag, 500kg or 600kg/Pallet.
Neutral packaging or custom packaging available.
20 Feet Container：
10,000kg (500kg each pallet，total 20 pallets).
40 Feet Container：
22,000kg (20 pallets of 500kg, 20 pallets of 600kg, total 40 pallets).
The size of each pallet(500kg) after pack the HPMC is:1.1m*1.1m*1.15m =1.39CBM
Our financial department accepts T/T or L/C At Sight .
Other payment terms need to be negotiated.
Yes, we do have equivalent products of MECELLOSE®, WALOCEL™, Tylose®, and other well-known brands. Our products are formulated to provide similar performance and quality as the branded products. We take pride in offering cost-effective solutions. Please provide us with the brand& grade you are using now so we can recommend the best matching replacement.
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