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HEC (hydroxyethylcellulose) dissolution problem
Posted by filiz on July 30, 2021 at 8:18 amI am working on a roll-on formulation and I am using HEC as a thickener at 0.9% in nothing but both at cold and warm water (50 ‘C) but I couldn’t dissolve it. I mixed it with mechanical stirrer at 500 rpm sometimes even more. Is it beacause my chemicals or my methode ? I used two different HEC but ı couldn’t dissolve both anyway. To conclude if you have any suggestions I would be so glad, thanks in advance.
ketchito replied 3 years, 2 months ago 4 Members · 10 Replies -
10 Replies
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@filiz You need to slowly add the HEC directly to the vortex formed during mixing at moderate-high speed. I’d go at 1000 rpm or even more, and leave it mixing for at leat 10 min. One thing that improves mixing is adding some base (eg., Sodium hydroxide, TEA), to help dissolve the outer shell that recovers polymer particles.
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Thank you for your advices. Increasing pH realy works with cold water, I go with 1000 rpm for a hour, nevertheless I couldn’t completely dissolve HEC. If you have any other solutions I would be so glad…
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Hi,
you can add HEC straight into cold water and either high shear it for a prolong time or neutralise (alkaline) it to pH>7. Once fully hydrated, you can bring the pH lower again.
Hope that helps.
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Obsevation:
1. Aqua + Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (%2) + TEA (Opaque white, fairly solid)
2. Monoprpylene Glycol (4,5) + Alcohol (%20) (transparet but bullry) -
@filiz I used to have few issues with HEC back in the day, and I found out some literature. Perhaps this one could help you: http://doorirng.com/data/Personel%20care%20cellosize.pdf.
There is a method in that brochure that includes heating, and that could help get rid of the bubbles. Good luck!
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