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Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)

HEC is a non-ionic, water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose through a series of chemical and physical processes. 

Appearance of HEC

HEC is a white to light yellowish, oderless and tastless powder, readily soluble in hot or cold water to form a viscous gel solution. When pH in solution is within 2 to 12, the solution is quite stable. 

Characteristic of HEC

Since HEC group is nonionic one in water solution, it won't be reacted with other anions or cations and insensitive to the salts. But HEC molecule is capable of generating esterification, etherification and acetal reaction, so it is possible to make it insoluble in water or improve its properties. HEC also has good film-forming ability and surface activity.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose is a non-ionic soluble cellulose ether which is soluble in both hot and cold water and has the characteristics of thickening, suspending, binding, emulsifying, film forming, water retention and protective colloid. Widely used in coatings, cosmetics, oil drilling and other industries.

Oil industry application guide; applied to oil field cementing and drilling.

● Hydroxyethyl cellulose can be used as a thickener and cementing agent for oil well workover fluids. Helps provide a clear, low-fixation solution that greatly reduces damage to the well structure. Liquids thickened with hydroxyethyl cellulose are easily decomposed by acids, enzymes or oxidizing agents, greatly improving the ability to recover hydrocarbons.
• Hydroxyethyl cellulose is used as a carrier for proppants in oil well fluids. These liquids can also be easily cleaved by the above process.
● Drilling fluid with hydroxyethyl cellulose, based on its low solids content, can effectively improve drilling stability. These performance inhibitors can be used for medium to high hardness rock layers as well as for heavy shale or shale drilling.
● In cement consolidation operations, hydroxyethyl cellulose reduces the hydraulic friction of the mud and minimizes moisture loss from the lost rock formation.

HEC grades used in the petroleum industry.

Note:DR---->Oil drilling grade

Coating Industry Application Guide.

High thickening effect
● Hydroxyethyl cellulose provides excellent coating properties for latex coatings, especially high PVA coatings. When the coating is a thick paste, no flocculation occurs.
● Hydroxyethyl cellulose has a higher thickening effect. It can reduce the dosage, improve the economical efficiency of the formulation, and improve the scrubbing performance of the coating.
Excellent rheological properties
● The aqueous solution of hydroxyethyl cellulose is a non-Newtonian system, and the performance of the solution is called thixotropic.
● At rest, the coating system maintains optimum thickening and canning after the product is completely dissolved.
● In the state of dumping, the system maintains a moderate viscosity, so that the product has excellent fluidity and does not splash.
● When applying and rolling, the product is easy to spread on the substrate. Convenient for construction. At the same time, it has good anti-splash properties.
● Finally, when the coating is applied, the viscosity of the system is immediately restored, and the coating immediately produces sag.
Dispersibility and solubility
● Hydroxyethyl cellulose is delayed-dissolved, and in the case of dry powder addition, it can effectively prevent agglomeration. After the HEC powder is sufficiently dispersed, hydration is started.
● Hydroxyethyl cellulose, which has been properly surface treated, regulates the dissolution rate and viscosity rate of the product.
Storage stability
● Hydroxyethyl cellulose has good mold resistance and provides sufficient coating storage time. Effective control of pigment and filler settling.

HEC grades used in the Coating industry

Note:S-->Surface treatment,SE-->Anti-enzyme

Daily Industry Application Guide.

● Daily grade hydroxyethyl cellulose has good anti-mildew properties, system thickening and rheology modification function, good water retention, film formation, giving the final product a full visual effect and all necessary application properties. .
● Hydroxyethyl cellulose is refined in the production process to minimize solvent residue and ignition residue.
● Surface treated hydroxyethyl cellulose is cold water soluble and can be added directly to water using dry powder. The good water dispersibility of the product can avoid the agglomeration of the product and the uneven dissolution. The final aqueous solution is uniform, continuous and full.
● Hydroxyethyl cellulose has good color acceptance in addition to the necessary thickening and rheological properties.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose grade used in the daily chemical industry:

Custom Made!

We can change or modify product's properties according to customer's requirements. We can offer custom-made package as well.

We can also supply specific oil drilling grade HEC as well as other kinds of HEC, you can find them in related products or just tell us the specifications you want.

Company Information

Kager (Tianjin) Technology Development Co., Ltd (KTD) is a young and dynamic company specializing in Oilfield Specialty Chemicals, Solid Control equipment,  Refining chemicals, Waste Management and engineering, Oilfield Equipment Spare Parts & tools.

With leading R&D capacity and manufacturing capacity, we aim to Create Values for Our Customers.

Kager's Oilfield Specialty Chemical Capacity, Since 2008, Karger Chem integrated her R&D, and polymer manufacturing capacity, our reliable products are continuously creating values in Drilling, Cementing, Acidizing, Fracturing, Oil & Gas Treatment, Transportation, Refining and water treatments.

Kager Chem's commodity chemicals including Sulfonated Asphalt, Sulfonated Asphalt–Potassium, Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), Benzalkonium Chloride, Lignosulfonate, Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), Sodium Chloride and Xanthan Gum. Molecular sieve, catalyst, and aluminum ceramic ball.

Contact US

Sale Manager：Kelly Wang
Phone : +8615302181956
Tel: +86-22-60992323
Email: kelly@kagerindustrial.com
Skype/whats APP: +86 15302181956