Why HEC? And how to choose HEC.
For architectural latex paints, we recommend bio-stable HEC grades such as CELOSE HE B100000 and HE B60000. Compared to other cellulose ethers, the HE B series is produced through a specialized process with extremely high substitution degrees, making it resistant to degradation – especially suitable for high-temperature and high-humidity environments. Moreover, the key functional group of HEC is hydroxyethoxy, which demonstrates superior hydrophilicity compared to other groups. This ensures excellent compatibility with water-based components like emulsions and colorants. HEC-containing latex paints deliver truer color development, which is critical for colored coatings.
For standard architectural coatings, we recommend CELOSE HE 100000/150000 – optimal viscosity and mid-range pricing for fast-turnover formulations.
HPMC for paints?
While we strongly recommend HEC as the optimal thickener, some clients still use HPMC. HPMC offers ultra-high viscosity (reducing dosage) and supply stability, but suffers from degradation, poor hydrophilicity (hydroxypropoxy/methoxy vs. hydroxyethoxy), and phase separation risks. Coresyn’s CELOSE HPS 150000/200000 solves these issues through advanced processing.
How about CMC in paints?
1.Advantages：
Excellent hydrophilicity/compatibility: Rival HEC, avoid uneven coating.
Uniform substitution degree: Simple structure, easy control, stable viscosity adjustment.
2.Limitations：
Insufficient enzyme resistance: Low DS (0.5-1.2), long-term thickening effect reduction.
Ionic reaction risk: React with cationic additives, causing viscosity change/gelation.
Poor water resistance: Sodium salt washed away, unsuitable for outdoor use.
The MCS 60000 and MCS 100000 are cellulose ethers specially designed for coatings. Like HEC, it can disperse in cold water. It improves storage stability while retaining excellent color development, especially for textile printing and dyeing.
Why choose titanium dioxide pigment？
Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) is the indispensable white pigment in the coatings industry, primarily valued for its unparalleled ability to provide opacity (hiding power) and brightness. Without TiO₂, achieving complete coverage of a substrate would require significantly more paint, and creating vibrant, clean colors would be far more difficult and expensive.
Why choose rutile？but not anatase
Among the two primary crystal forms of TiO₂ (rutile and anatase), rutile is overwhelmingly preferred for most high-performance coating applications for these key reasons:
1.Superior Refractive Index: Rutile TiO₂ has a higher refractive index (~2.73) than anatase (~2.55). This means it scatters light more efficiently, providing exceptional hiding power. This allows formulators to use less pigment to achieve the desired coverage, improving cost-efficiency and film properties.
2.Enhanced Durability: Anatase TiO₂ is photochemically active. Upon UV exposure, it can catalyze the degradation of the polymer resin, leading to chalking (a powdery surface residue) and gloss loss. Rutile crystals are inherently more stable. When combined with advanced inorganic surface treatments, rutile TiO₂ offers exceptional resistance to weathering and UV light, ensuring long-term durability and color retention.
3.Excellent Dispensability: Modern rutile pigments are engineered for optimal dispersion in both water-based and solvent-based systems. This maximizes gloss development, color strength, and overall performance while minimizing issues like flocculation.
The specific performance characteristics of a rutile TiO₂ pigment are ultimately defined by its inorganic surface treatment, which is crucial for selecting the right grade for an application.
Product Recommendations: R-2906 & R-2192
1. R-2906 (Zirconia-Alumina Coated)
Enhanced durability & gloss retention.
Excellent dispersion and balanced performance.
Ideal for architectural/industrial paints, coil coatings, and wood finishes.
2.R-2192 (Silica-Alumina Coated)
Extreme weather resistance: minimizes chalking, maximizes gloss.
High chemical resistance and hiding power.
Best for automotive coatings, high-end exterior paints, and harsh environments.
1.Enzyme stability
Bio-stable HEC resists microbial degradation, significantly extending the shelf life of coatings. Recommended CELOSE HE B100000 (high viscosity) and B60000 (medium viscosity), which offer excellent thickening, leveling, and long-term stability.
HEC (Hydroxyethyl Cellulose) degrades in water due to:
- Microbial action: Bacteria/fungi secrete cellulase enzymes that break β-1,4 glycosidic bonds;
- Chemical hydrolysis: Ether bonds (-O-CH₂-CH₂-OH) cleave under acidic (pH<4) or alkaline (pH>10) conditions;
- Oxidation: Oxidants (e.g., hypochlorite) attack -OH groups, causing chain scission.
Degradation signs include viscosity loss, cloudiness, and pH drift. Use bio-stable HEC (e.g., CELOSE HE B grades) or preservatives to prevent degradation.
Coresyn chemical use speical HEC technology produce HEC，our HEC CELOSE B series has extremely good performance on enzyme resistance，make the water paints long shelf life，this is very important for paints industry.
2. Color acceptance/Color development
Color development refers to a coating’s ability to accurately and uniformly display color on substrates. It is particularly critical in architectural coatings, especially for colored paints. Excellent color development not only delivers fuller, more consistent color but also improves hiding efficiency, reducing pigment demand and lowering costs. CELOSE HE B series cellulose ethers enhance color fidelity through superior formulation compatibility, ensuring the final film closely matches the designer’s original color intent.
From our test, CELOSE HE B series and CMC rom our tests, the CELOSE HE B series and CMC exhibit excellent color development properties. HPMC is not good.
3. Viscosity
HEC solution is a non-Newtonian fluid. As the content increases, the viscosity will rise rapidly.The following are the viscosity change curves of different models of HEC at different contents.
