What Is HPMC Used for?

Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) is a non-ionic cellulose ether, made from the natural polymer material cellulose through a series of etherifications. It is a white powder that swells to a clear or slightly turbid colloidal solution in cold water. It is characterised by thickening, dispersion, emulsification, film formation, suspension, adsorption, surface activity, moisturisation and protection of the colloid.

1. Tile adhesive

As a functional decorative material, tiles are used worldwide in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with varying unit weights and densities. And how to adhere to this durable material has always been a matter of concern. The advent of tile adhesives has gone some way to ensuring a reliable bond.

Tile adhesive is a compound used to adhere tiles to walls or floors. It is pre-mixed and specially formulated with OPC, selected fine sand and additives to improve its essential properties for laying tiles.

 HPMC for Tile Adhesive

HPMC ensures the smooth application of different types of tiles on a variety of substrates, even at relatively high ambient temperatures. It also provides a long enough open time for the tile adhesive to be adjusted.

HPMC can improve tile adhesives in several ways.

Enables tile adhesives to have a longer open time.

Improves workability and eliminates the need for an adhering trowel.

Increasing sag resistance and wetting properties.

2. Gypsum plasters

Gypsum-based plaster is an interior plastering material made from hemihydrate gypsum, cellulose ether, lightweight aggregates, retarders and other auxiliary materials. Gypsum-based plasters are characterised by energy efficiency, environmental friendliness and fire resistance.

HPMC can provide the following improvements to gypsum plaster.

Improved water retention.

Excellent workability and high spread rates

Enhanced slip resistance and sag resistance

Improved heat resistance

 HPMC for Gypsum

3. Self-levelling

Self-levelling compounds are chemical compounds used to level uneven concrete or wooden floors with levelling and self-sealing properties. Its levelling and self-sealing ability are essential for achieving a smooth and seamless floor.

A good quality self-levelling product should have the appropriate handling properties and be able to maintain its levelling properties and self-healing ability, which requires the compound to be both homogeneous and stable during the application process. Secondly, it must have a certain level of strength, both in terms of load-bearing capacity and binding force on the substrate. These are the basis for the proper application of the flooring material. Special low-viscosity HPMC products play an important role in achieving self-levelling properties.

Prevention of slurry settling and seepage

Improves water retention properties

Reduces shrinkage of the mortar

Avoids cracks

4. Block mortar

Autoclaved aerated concrete block mortar is a lightweight porous silicate product made of siliceous materials (sand, fly ash, silica-containing tailings, etc.) and calcareous materials (lime, cement) as the main raw materials, with the addition of aerating agents (aluminium powder), through the process of preparation, mixing, pouring, pre-treatment, cutting, steaming and other processes. It is called aerated concrete block laying mortar because it contains many uniform and fine pores after aerating.

As a new type of wall material, aerated blocks have the advantages of being lightweight and having good thermal insulation performance. However, at the same time, its water absorption rate is relatively large, slow to absorb water and slow to dry. Traditional mortar construction is prone to poor bonding between the masonry and the hollow wall, and even problems such as large areas falling off, thus a good performance aerated concrete plastering mortar compound admixture came into being.

The compound admixture mixed with HPMC products greatly improves the workability of the mortar, increases the water retention, toughness and bond strength of the mortar, and reduces the shrinkage of the mortar, solving the problems caused by traditional mortar.