What is Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose?

Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose is a cellulose ether with both methyl and hydroxypropyl functional group substitutions. Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) is a nonionic thermoplastic polymer that dissolves in water to produce a solutions with a wide range in viscosity. It has greater gelling capacity than hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and is more tolerant to salts and additives. HPMC is used as a thickening agent, stabilizer, emulsifier and film forming agent. Aging studies indicate that HPMC has very good stability with negligible discoloration or weight loss (Feller and Wilt 1990).

Chemical properties

Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is propylene glycol ether of methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl and methyl combine with anhydrous glucose ring by ether bond.It is white or pale white cellulose powder or particles.It has different types of products, the methoxy and hydroxypropyl content ratio is different. It is white or gray fibrous powder or particles. It is soluble in water and some organic solvents and unsoluble in ethanol. Aqueous solution has a surface activity, the formation of the film after drying, heated and cooled, in turn, from the sol to gel reversible transformation.

Synonyms and Related Terms

hidroxipropilmetilcelulosa (Esp.); hidroxipropilmetilcelulose (Port.); HPMC; hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; cellulose 2-hydroxypropyl methyl ether; propylene glycol ether; hypromellose

Examples: Gonak; Goniosol; Lacril; Methocel [Dow]; Ultra Tears

Uses

Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose can be used alone in the cold drink, also can be used with other emulsifier, stabilizer. To cold drink, the maximum amount is 1%. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and other water-soluble high weight compounds use mixture, become transparent, higher viscosity. The gelation temperature of low viscosity products is higher than high viscosity of products. Its solution is stable at room temperature. In recent years, It has been widely used in petroleum chemical industry, papermaking, leather, textile printing and dyeing, pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and other industries, and as the dispersing agent, thickening agent, adhesive, excipient, capsule, oil resistant coating and packing etc.