1. Product Introduction & Main Application
Arnico’s Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a white, cold-water-soluble cellulose ether derived from natural cellulose, used as a thickener, suspending agent, and binder in the construction, pharmaceutical, and food industries. This non-toxic polymer, by creating stable viscosity and providing exceptional water retention, makes cementitious grouts more workable and transforms mortars into stronger adhesives.
2. Technical Specifications
| Technical Parameter | High-Viscosity Construction Grade (HV-CONST) | Low-Viscosity Pharma Grade (LV-PHARMA) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viscosity (2% Solution, 20°C) | 80,000 – 120,000 | 5 – 100 | mPa.s |
| Methoxyl Content | 28.0 – 30.0 | 28.0 – 30.0 | % |
| Hydroxypropyl Content | 7.0 – 12.0 | 7.0 – 12.0 | % |
| Water Insoluble Matter | ≤ 0.5 | ≤ 0.2 | % |
| Water Content | ≤ 5.0 | ≤ 5.0 | % |
| Particle Size (Passing 100 Mesh) | ≥ 98.5 | ≥ 99.5 | % |
3. Features & Benefits
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Exceptional Water Retention: Prevents rapid water evaporation from mortar and tile adhesive, ensuring complete cement hydration and maximum final adhesion.
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Sag-Free Workability: Reduces internal friction in grouts, creating a smooth, creamy texture that is easy to trowel, combined with excellent anti-sag properties for heavy tiles.
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Thermal Gelation: Provides unique thixotropic properties that prevent heavy tiles and stone cladding from sliding down walls.
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Biocompatibility & Safety: Gluten-free, non-allergenic, and suitable for use in pharmaceutical tablets (as a controlled-release agent) and vegan products.
4. Industrial Applications
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Construction Industry: The primary agent in tile adhesives, polymer-modified plasters, concrete repair mortars, and self-leveling compounds.
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Pharmaceutical Industry: Tablet film coating, sustained-release drug matrices, and granulation binders.
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Food Industry (E464): A fat replacer, foam stabilizer, and emulsifier in sauces, desserts, and gluten-free bakery products.
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Paint & Coatings: The main thickener for water-based plastic and architectural paints.
5. Safety & Handling
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MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet): This product is non-toxic and non-irritating, but its dust, like any powdery material, can cause mechanical irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract. The complete MSDS file is available from Arnico.
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Storage Conditions: Store in a dry, cool place, away from moisture and heat sources. This material is highly hygroscopic. Opened bags must be tightly resealed. Store on pallets and away from walls.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): When decanting the powder, the use of a dust mask (N95) and simple safety goggles is recommended.
6. Quality Assurance & COA
Arnico’s HPMC shipments are always accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) including the precise Brookfield viscosity curve, functional group percentages, and mesh analysis. This guarantees that the rheological behavior of your product will be completely consistent and predictable with every batch.
