What are the commonly used cellulose ethers in concrete?

Cellulose ethers play a vital role in the construction sector, especially in concrete applications. These additives enhance the performance and characteristics of concrete, providing benefits such as improved workability, water retention and adhesion. Among the various types of cellulose ethers, some are commonly used in concrete formulations.

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1.Hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC):

 

Hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, commonly known as HEMC, is a water-soluble cellulose ether widely used in the construction industry. It is obtained by chemical modification of cellulose. HEMC is known for its excellent water retention properties, making it an effective additive in concrete mixtures. It helps prevent premature drying of concrete, ensuring better workability and finish.

 

In addition, HEMC acts as a thickener, increasing the viscosity of concrete mixtures. This property is particularly beneficial in vertical applications, such as plastering and rendering, where improved adhesion and reduced sagging are required.

 

2.Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC):

 

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is another widely used cellulose ether in concrete formulations. Like HEMC, HPMC is a water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose. It offers a wide range of benefits including improved water retention, workability and adhesion.

 

In concrete applications, HPMC acts as a rheology modifier, affecting the flow and deformation characteristics of the mixture. This is especially valuable for self-leveling and thin-coat mortars. Additionally, HPMC helps improve the adhesion of the mixture, thereby increasing the strength and durability of cured concrete.

 

3. Methyl cellulose (MC):

 

Methylcellulose (MC) is a cellulose ether derived from natural cellulose through a series of chemical processes. It is characterized by water solubility and film-forming properties. In concrete applications, MC is often used as a thickener and water retaining agent.

 

MC effectively prevents segregation and bleeding in concrete mixtures and ensures even distribution of aggregates. Its film-forming properties also improve adhesion to a variety of substrates. Additionally, MC is known for its compatibility with other construction materials, making it a versatile additive in concrete formulations.

 

4. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC):

 

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a cellulose ether with carboxymethyl groups attached to the cellulose backbone. While CMC is not as commonly used in concrete as other cellulose ethers, it can find applications in specific scenarios.

 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit general cellulose ethers.

In concrete, CMC is utilized for its water retention and thickening properties. It helps improve the cohesion of the mixture and reduces moisture loss during setting. CMC is often used in special concrete formulations, such as those used in refractory applications.

 

5.Ethylhydroxyethylcellulose (EHEC):

 

Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, known as EHEC, is a cellulose ether with a combination of ethyl and hydroxyethyl substituents. It is valued for its versatility in a variety of applications, including construction.

 

In concrete, EHEC acts as a water-retaining agent, ensuring that the mixture remains usable for a longer period of time. It also helps improve bond strength and reduces the likelihood of cracking. EHEC is commonly used in tile adhesives, mortars and other cementitious products.

 

Cellulose ethers play a key role in improving the performance of concrete in construction applications. Commonly used cellulose ethers, such as HEMC, HPMC, MC, CMC and EHEC, offer a range of benefits including improved workability, water retention, adhesion and overall durability of cured concrete. Understanding the specific properties of each cellulose ether can be used effectively in different concrete formulations to meet the different needs of the construction industry.

Cellulose ether is a general term for a series of cellulose derivatives produced by alkali cellulose and etherifying agents under certain conditions. It is a product in which ether groups wholly or partially replace the hydroxyl groups on the cellulose macromolecule. At present, the total annual production capacity of cellulose ethers worldwide is more than 600,000 tons, including about 200,000 tons of non-ionic cellulose ethers and more than 400,000 tons of ionic cellulose ethers. Cellulose ether is a cellulose derivative with a wide variety of applications, a large production volume, and high research value. Its uses involve many fields such as industry, agriculture, daily chemical industry, environmental protection, aerospace, and national defense.

Source of Cellulose Ether (Raw Material)

 

According to resource differences in various countries, the raw material cellulose used is mainly cotton and wood cellulose for the industrial production of cellulose ethers. Cotton cellulose is often referred to as refined cotton. It is obtained primarily by refining cotton linters with a length of less than 10 mm remaining on the cottonseed hulls after removing the long linters. The cotton linters on cottonseeds are rich in cellulose, with a content of about 65%~80%, and the rest is fat, wax, pectin, and ash; Wood contains 35%~45% cellulose, and the rest is hemicellulose (25%~35%), lignin (20%-30%), fat, wax, residual seed hulls, pectin, and ash, etc., quite complicated. Due to differences in climate and region, the types of wood fibers in various countries are also different. The primary natural fibers in the world come from various softwoods and hardwoods. In addition to natural forests, there are some artificially planted softwood and hardwood species. Different other non-wood fiber raw materials, mainly gramineous plants, such as cereals (rice, wheat, etc.), straw, bagasse, and bamboo, are also essential sources of cellulose, but they have not been fully utilized.

 

Types of Cellulose Ethers

 

Cellulose ethers can be mono ethers or mixed ethers, and their properties have specific differences. There are low-substituted hydrophilic groups on the cellulose macromolecules, such as hydroxyethyl groups, which can give the product a certain degree of water solubility, and the hydrophobic groups include methyl, ethyl, etc. Only a moderate degree of substitution can provide the product with a certain degree of water solubility. The product with low substitution can only swell in water or dissolve in a dilute alkali solution. With the in-depth research on the properties of cellulose ethers, new cellulose ethers and their application fields will continue to be developed and produced.

 

According to the different types of substitution sets, ionization, and solubility of fiber energy, cellulose ethers can be classified as follows: 

The general rules of the influence of groups in mixed ethers on solubility are as follows:

· Increasing the content of hydrophobic groups in the product will increase the hydrophobicity of the ether and reduce the gel point.

· Increase the content of hydrophilic groups (such as hydroxyethyl groups) to increase its gel point.

· The hydroxypropyl group is unique. Proper hydroxypropylation can reduce the gel temperature of the product. The gel temperature of the medium hydroxypropylation product increases, but the high level of substitution will reduce its gel point. This is due to the particular carbon chain length structure of the hydroxypropyl group. Low levels of hydroxypropylation will weaken the intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds of cellulose macromolecules, and there will be hydrophilic hydroxyl groups on the branch chains, and its hydrophilicity is dominant; While high substitution will cause polymerization on the side groups, the relative content of hydroxyl groups will decrease, and the hydrophobicity will increase, which will reduce its solubility.

 

Humanity has a long history of production and research of cellulose ethers. Suida first reported the etherification of cellulose in , which was methylation with dimethyl sulfate. Non-ionic alkyl ether was patented by Lilienfeld (), and Dreyfus (), and Leuchs () obtained water-soluble or oil-soluble cellulose ethers, respectively. Buchler and Gomberg produced benzyl cellulose in , carboxymethyl cellulose was first created by Jansen in , and Hubert produced hydroxyethyl cellulose in . In the early s, carboxymethyl cellulose was commercialized in Germany. Industrialized production of MC and Star HEC was realized in the United States from -.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website What Is HPMC Made From.