Human life is always changing and brings positive changes. Daily life also cannot be separated from the presence of chemicals and chemical changes. But this change is also offset by technological advances and continues to produce materials that are beneficial to living things. One of the useful changes is cellulose ether in coatings. However, there are still many benefits of cellulose ether. Let’s check it.

The Overview

Humans are very dependent on nature because we cannot produce needs independently. That is, to meet the needs of human life must fulfill it by taking materials and materials found in nature. It is common to utilize natural resources to meet our needs. For example, when humans are hungry, humans cannot directly create food from their bodies, but make food or get food from nature. Another example is humans need oxygen to breathe which can only be found in nature.

However, the wealth of natural resources will quickly run out if used excessively. Therefore, natural resources must be used wisely. One of the rich natural wealth is cellulose.

Cellulose comes from nature, especially from plants. By certain production and employment, now it is easy to apply it. Cellulose is a compound that is a bio-polysaccharide that forms cell walls that are produced by the cytoplasm in plants. However, to make it easy to apply it still needs long processes. The good news is more and more manufacturers produce cellulose ether and adjust it to many usages.

Cellulose has unique properties. These properties make cellulose used in various needs. One of the properties of cellulose is that it is insoluble in solvents including water. But in certain cases, cellulose can dissolve in alkaline solutions. Another unique property is the ability of cellulose to form tissues and its colorless appearance. The ability to bind cellulose is also high, so cellulose ether is used in coatings.

Find Out How the Works of Cellulose Ether in Coatings

Consciously or not, almost every day we use a lot of chemicals, such as bathroom cleaning products, detergents, and disinfectants. Although useful, these chemicals can also be harmful to health. This includes how we should use cellulose ether especially cellulose ether in coatings.

As its name suggests, cellulose used in coatings means working to coat a certain layer to get the desired benefits. For a long time, cellulose is believed to be a good material to use as a coating. How it works is quite simple.

Of course, we need to add certain ingredients before applying cellulose ether. Take just a few percent of cellulose ether; it can work as a thickener. In addition, the use of the correct levels can also hold water and prevent precipitation. Its most important function is how the cellulose ether content can increase the strength in bonding certain objects.

Several factors support the work of this material. One of them is the level of viscosity. In general, viscosity is related to the viscosity of an object. Viscosity here refers to a liquid. The definition of viscosity is a movement that occurs in a liquid. The causes of this movement can be very different; some are caused by vibration, gravity, friction, terminal velocity, or even temperature changes.

Before becoming a liquid, the object will be in a “vicious” condition so that it can flow. In these conditions, the inside (molecules) of the items move continuously or the interactions between the molecules weaken until they finally become liquid. That is the viscosity of the liquid which depends on the amount of viscosity in it.

Several factors that affect viscosity are pressure, temperature, molecular weight, and the cohesive strength of a material. Here is the principle of viscosity where the lower the viscosity of a substance, the higher its ability to flow. Conversely, substances with low viscosity levels tend to be more difficult to move.

Other factors that also affect the work of cellulose ether include fluid retention (water). The power of precipitation on cellulose ether was related to the stability of pigments and fillers. In terms of rubbing power, it turns out that cellulose ether is still quite low. The results of this test are obtained when compared with HEMC and HEC.

What about Latex Paint Without a Thickener?

The paint market is dominated by latex paint for about 75%. This water-based paint can give a glossy, semi-gloss, and flat finish to many surfaces such as walls and ceilings. Latex paints are an example of using cellulose ether in coatings. If there is no cellulose ether coatings the latex paint is not the latex paint we know.

Cellulose ether is a reliable thickener for various paint products. The advantages obtained by latex paint products that use cellulose ether thickeners include:

• The product will dry faster than oil-based paints. When you want to daub the second layer, then you don’t need long to apply it.
• Latex paint is also smoother with brush strokes as easily as oil-based paint.
• Latex paint has less VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). This is the gas you usually smell during and after the painting process. This gas can actually affect your health when you apply too much paint.
• Latex paint is easier to clean because it is water-based with a proper thickener. Soap and water will usually also be able cellulose ether in coating to clean walls with a coat of latex paint.

 Cellulose Ether in Coatings: HPMC

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is an example of cellulose ether in coatings which is often applied to building material products such as gypsum, mortar, and putty. The addition of HPMC as a coating for a product is usually in very minimal amounts, around 0.1 to 1 percent.

But the addition of cellulose ether is enough to have a big impact where the coated surface will become stronger than before the coating, more resistant to water, and stronger for many years. If without the use of HPMC then it is certain that these products will be unable to compete in the market.

So, are you ready to use in any products you will release in the future?