How to use Natrosol for thickener？

 

Natrosol  (HEC) is a non-ionic cellulose ether produced from the polymer material cellulose through a series of chemical processes. It is a white powder or granule that can be dissolved in cold water to form a transparent viscous solution. The dissolution is not affected by the pH value. It has the properties of thickening, adhesion, dispersion, emulsification, film formation, suspension, adsorption, surface activity, moisture retention and salt resistance.

 

Natrosol’s advantages

1. The solution is easy to prepare: HEC can be dissolved in hot or cold water with simple stirring equipment, and the solution can be added directly to the product.

2. Compatible: Because HEC is a non-ionic compound, it can be used safely at pH values ​​between 2 and 12, and is compatible with other raw materials such as colors, additives, salts or electrolytes;

3. Easy to construct: After the product uses HEC, since it is a pseudocolloid (Pseudopiastic), the finished product will not have sagging or wrinkles during use.

4. Coating film formation: Since the surface tension of the product will not be reduced, unnecessary foam will not be generated during the production process. At the same time, it will not cause defects such as small holes and pinholes in the film due to the formation of foam during use. 

Natrosol’s Instructions 

1.Add directly during production

This method is simple and takes a short time. Proceed as follows:
1. Add purified water to a large bucket equipped with a high-shear mixer.
2. Start stirring at low speed and slowly sift the hydroxyethyl cellulose evenly into the solution.
3. Continue stirring until all particles are soaked.
4. Then add antifungal agents and various additives. Such as pigments, dispersing aids, ammonia, etc.
5. Stir until all the hydroxyethyl cellulose is completely dissolved (the viscosity of the solution increases) before adding other components in the formula and proceeding with the reaction.

2.Equipped with mother liquor for later use

This method is to first prepare a mother liquor with a higher concentration and then add it to the product. The advantage of this method is that it is flexible and can be added directly to the finished product, but it must be properly stored.

The steps are similar to steps (1-4) in method (1): the difference is that there is no need for a high-shear stirrer, only a stirrer with enough power to keep the hydroxyethyl cellulose evenly dispersed in the solution. Continue stirring until completely dissolved into a viscous solution. It should be noted that the antifungal agent must be added to the mother liquor as early as possible.

Natrosol’s Application 

1.Agriculture

Hydroxyethyl cellulose  can effectively suspend solid poisons when used in water-based sprays.
It can be used in spraying operations to adhere poisons to the leaves; and it can be used as a thickener for spray emulsions to reduce pesticide drift, thereby increasing the effectiveness of foliar spraying.
It can also be used as a film-forming agent in seed coating agents; as a binder in tobacco leaf recycling.

2.Building materials

Natrosol can be used in plaster, cement, lime and mortar systems, tile pastes and mortars. In the cement component, it can also be used as a retarder and water retaining agent. In the surface treatment of wall panel operations, it is used in the preparation of latex, which can precondition the surface and relieve wall pressure, so that the effect of painting and surface coatings is better; it can be used as a thickener for wallpaper adhesive.

It can improve the performance of gypsum plaster by increasing the hardening and application time. In terms of compression resistance, anti-torsion strength and dimensional stability, It has better effects than other cellulose types.

3.Cosmetics and detergents

Hydroxyethyl cellulose is an effective film-forming agent, adhesive, thickener, stabilizer and dispersant in shampoos, hair sprays, neutralizers, hair conditioners and cosmetics. Its thickening and protective colloid properties can be used in liquid detergent and solid detergent industries. It dissolves quickly at high temperatures, which can speed up the production process and improve production efficiency. As we all know, the obvious feature of detergents containing It is that it can improve the smoothness and mercerization of fabrics.

4.latex polymerization

Choosing HEC with a certain molar substitution degree can achieve the best effect in the process of catalytic protective colloid polymerization; HEC can be used to control the growth of polymer particles, stabilize latex properties, and resist low and high temperatures and mechanical shear. Get the best results. During the polymerization process of latex, HEC can protect the concentration of colloids within a critical range and control the size of polymer particles and the degree of freedom of participating reactive groups.

5.Oil extraction

HEC has viscosifying properties in processing and filling slurries. It helps provide a nice low solids mud with minimal damage to the wellbore. Slurries thickened with it are easily degraded into hydrocarbons by acids, enzymes or oxidants and can maximize oil recovery.
In fractured mud, It can play the role of carrying mud and sand. These fluids can also be easily degraded by the above acids, enzymes or oxidizing agents.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose can be used to prepare ideal low-solids drilling fluids, which provide greater permeability and better drilling stability. Its fluid-suppressing properties can be used in drilling hard rock formations, and it is also suitable for drilling in collapse or slide collapse formations.
During the cement filling operation, It reduces the friction of the pore pressure cement slurry, thereby reducing the impact of water loss on the structure.

6.Paint thickener

Latex paint containing HEC components has the properties of fast dissolution, low foaming, good thickening effect, good color expansion and more stability. Its non-ionic properties contribute to stability over a wide pH range and allow for a wide range of formulations.

A further advantage of the XT series of products is that hydration can be controlled by adding the thickening agent to the water at the beginning of pigment grinding.High viscosity grades of XT-20, XT-40, and XT-50 are mainly developed for the production of water-soluble latex paints, and their dosage is smaller than other thickeners.

7.Paper and ink

It can be used as a polishing agent for paper and cardboard and a protective glue for ink. HEC has the advantage of being independent of paper size in printing and can be used for high-quality picture printing. At the same time, it can also reduce costs due to its low surface permeability and strong gloss.
It can also be used for printing on paper or cardboard of any size or for calendar printing. In paper sizing, its usual dosage is 0.5 ~ 2.0 g/m2.It can increase the water retention performance in paint colors, especially for paints with a high proportion of latex.

In the papermaking process, It has other superior properties, including compatibility with most gums, resins and inorganic salts, instant solubility, low foam, low oxygen consumption and the ability to form a smooth surface film.
In ink manufacturing, It is used in the production of water-based copy inks, which dry quickly and have good color diffusion without sticking.

8.fabric sizing

It has been used for sizing and dyeing of yarn and fabric materials for a long time. This glue can be washed away from the fiber by washing with water. When mixed with other resins, It can be more widely used in fabric treatment. It is used as a forming agent and adhesive in glass fiber and as a modifier and adhesive in leather slurry.

Natrosol’s Precautions for use

a. Hygroscopicity: All models of hydroxyethyl cellulose HEC are hygroscopic. The moisture content when leaving the factory is generally below 5%. However, due to different transportation and storage environments, the moisture content will be higher than when leaving the factory. When using, just measure the water content and deduct the weight of the water from the calculation. Never use It is exposed to the atmosphere.

b. Dust powder is explosive: All organic powders and hydroxyethyl cellulose dust powder will explode when exposed to fire at a certain proportion in the air. Proper operation should be carried out to avoid the generation of dust powder in the atmosphere.

 

As an professional acrylic emulsion manufacturer, Jinan Hongquan Titanium Industry Co., Ltd is located in Jinan, a beautiful spring city. The company’s scientific research personnel sincerely cooperate with well-known domestic universities and various professional acrylic emulsion production enterprises to study and produce active Hydroxyethylcellulose with great concentration. Some of its products have been widely used in chemical, textile, paper, plastic, paint and other production fields.