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D&J Chemicals was founded in 2013, the enterprise is located in Jinzhou Economic Development Zone, Hebei Province. It covers an area of more than 27,000 square meters and has an annual yield of 10,000 tons of methyl cellulose.

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  • Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China
  • 8615232102780
  • [email protected]
  • GMT+8 Monday - Friday: 09:00AM - 06:00PM

The role of cellulose ether in self-leveling mortar

Cellulose ether is a general term for a series of products formed by the reaction of alkali cellulose and etherifying agents under certain conditions. Alkali cellulose is substituted by different etherifying agents to obtain different cellulose ethers. Based on the ionization performance of the substituent group, cellulose ethers can be classified into ionic types (such as carboxymethyl cellulose) and non-ionic types (such as methyl cellulose). According to the type of substituent group, cellulose ethers can be classified into single ethers (such as methyl cellulose) and mixed ethers (such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose). Based on solubility, they can be categorized into water-soluble (such as hydroxyethyl cellulose) and organic solvent-soluble (such as ethyl cellulose). Dry mix mortars primarily use water-soluble cellulose ethers, which are further divided into instant soluble and surface-treated delayed soluble types.

When cellulose ethers in mortar dissolve in water, the surfactant action ensures the even distribution of the cementitious material in the system. As a protective colloid, cellulose ethers “encapsulate” solid particles, forming a lubricating film on their surfaces, making the mortar system more stable and improving the flowability and smoothness during mixing and construction.

Due to the molecular structure of cellulose ethers, the solution in mortar retains moisture, gradually releasing it over an extended period, imparting good water retention and workability to the mortar.

In self-leveling cement mortar for floor surfaces, low-viscosity hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ethers are used. The excellent water retention of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is utilized in the dry mix, allowing the mortar to self-level on the floor with minimal intervention from construction personnel. Compared to traditional hand-finishing techniques, this improves smoothness and construction speed. The addition of HPMC controls surface water retention after pouring, minimizing water seepage, resulting in high surface strength and reduced shrinkage after drying. HPMC also provides viscosity, acts as an anti-settling agent, enhances flowability and pumpability, and improves efficiency in floor laying.

High-quality cellulose ether appears visually fluffy with a low bulk density. Pure HPMC has good whiteness, using pure raw materials during production for thorough and impurity-free reactions. The aqueous solution is clear, with high transparency, no ammonia, starch, or alcohol odors, and exhibits a fibrous structure under a microscope or magnifying glass.