CELLOSIZE Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

CELLOSIZE™ Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a nonionic, water-soluble polymer that can thicken, suspend, bind, emulsify, form films, stabilize, disperse, retain water, and provide protective colloid action. It is readily soluble in hot or cold water and can be used to prepare solutions with a wide range of viscosities. Also, it has outstanding tolerance for dissolved electrolytes.

CELLOSIZE HEC has long been recognized as an outstanding thickener for both interior and exterior latex paints. The major advantages that CELLOSIZE HEC offers as a paint thickener are:

  • High thickening efficiency
  • Ease of incorporation into paint formulations
  • Low water insolubles
  • Excellent color development and color acceptance
  • Compatibility with a broad range of paint ingredients
  • Batch-to-batch uniformity
  • Good brush and roller application
  • Non-sagging properties

For latex paint thickening, CELLOSIZE HEC is offered in several viscosity grades. The QP-type of CELLOSIZE HEC is of particular interest where controlled hydration is desired, as in the direct addition of the thickener to the water at the beginning of the pigment grind. The popular grades for paint thickening are QP-4400H and QP-15000H.

For economy, higher viscosity grades may be used. The amount required for proper viscosity may, however, be less than the amount needed for other properties. The higher viscosity thickeners are usually employed in low-cost paints and in industrial coatings where storage and application conditions are moderate.

In latex paint formulations, CELLOSIZE HEC offers ease of solution, low-foaming, thickening efficiency, and improved color development and stabilization. Its nonionic character contributes stabilization over a wide pH range of 2-12 and permits broad formulating latitude. It is compatible with commercial latexes and with most other ingredients commonly used in paint, including many reactive pigments, many additives, and components with high levels of soluble salts or electrolytes.

Paints thickened with CELLOSIZE HEC are pseudoplastic and can be applied efficiently by brush, roller, pad, or spray with minimal dripping, spattering, or running. Good-to-excellent flow and leveling can be achieved. CELLOSIZE HEC also offers narrow viscosity ranges, consistent viscosity reproducibility, and excellent solution clarities.

Latex paints containing cellulosic thickeners may occasionally exhibit a decrease in viscosity during storage due to enzyme degradation of the cellulose backbone. To combat this phenomenon, a series of HEC products was developed with improved viscosity stability by having increased resistance to enzymatic attack. CELLOSIZE Enzyme Resistant (ER) products are manufactured to the same tight specifications as conventional CELLOSIZE HEC and exhibit the same outstanding performance properties. CELLOSIZE ER HEC is produced in four viscosity grades.

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