How to choose Cellulose ethers for Tile adhesive?
1. We generally recommend HPMC as it is more cost-effective compared to MHEC, while the performance difference is minimal.
2. We generally recommend pure HPMC like CELOSE HP series for optimal formulation flexibility. For specialized applications, we suggest modified HPMC like CELOSE HP T series .
3. For thin-bed tile adhesives, interior wall tiles, and small-format tiles (≤300x300mm), we recommend low-viscosity HPMC, with CELOSE HP 1015 (9,000-15,000 mPa·s) as the standard choice.
4. For universal tile adhesives (3-6mm), floor tiles, and medium-format tiles (400x800mm), we recommend medium-viscosity HPMC, such as CELOSE HP 1075 (35,000-45,000 mPa·s).
5. For thick-bed tile adhesives (6-12mm) and large-format tiles (≥600x1200mm), we recommend high to ultra-high viscosity HPMC, such as CELOSE HP 1100/1150/1200. For specialty tile adhesives (e.g., C2TE grade or extreme conditions), modified products are available—contact our technical team for details.
HPMC & HEMC for Kinds of wall mortar
HPMC and HEMC cellulose ethers are essential additives in wall mortars, providing critical water retention to ensure proper cement hydration and strong bond formation. These polymers enhance workability, reduce cracking, and improve sag resistance for both thin-bed and thick-layer applications. With dosage typically ranging from 0.02% to 0.1% by weight, they optimize open time for tile adhesives while maintaining consistent rheology. Their thermal gelation properties make HPMC/HEMC particularly effective in exterior insulation systems (EIFS) and cement-based renders, delivering reliable performance across varying climatic conditions.
Wall mortar varies widely in types and regional terminology. Examples:
- Europe: Exterior mortar is called render or plaster, while interior leveling compounds may be termed skim coat or gypsum plaster.
- North America: Stucco refers to traditional cement-based exterior finishes; drywall compound is for gypsum board joints.
- Middle East: Arabic-speaking regions use ملاط الجدار (malat al-jidar) for general mortar, with decorative coatings called الطلاء الزخرفي (alta’ al-zakhrafi).
- Asia:
- China: Exterior mortar is 抹面砂浆, interior putty is 腻子粉;
- India: Wall putty for interiors, external plaster for exteriors;
- Southeast Asia: Mortar or render (English influence), but local terms like Indonesian plester exist.
- South America: Spanish-speaking countries use revoco (rough exterior mortar) or enlucido (smooth interior finish); Brazilian Portuguese calls base-layer mortar chapisco.
HPMC & HEMC for wall mortar
The selection of mortar additives typically depends on the type of mortar, formulation structure, and mortar thickness.
For interior base-coat mortars, we generally recommend standard medium-to-high viscosity HPMC or HEMC, such as CELOSE HP 1075, 1100 and CELOSE ME 1075, 1100. Formulators can further enhance workability and anti-sag performance by incorporating modifiers like starch ether. Alternatively, our modified products—such as CELOSE HP G2075, G2100 and CELOSE ME G2075, G2100—can also be selected for optimized performance.
For finish coats, we typically recommend low-viscosity grades like CELOSE HP 1015 and CELOSE ME 1015, though the final choice should align with specific application requirements.
For exterior wall mortars, high-viscosity HPMC/HEMC is preferred, available in both standard and modified versions. Common grades include CELOSE HP 1150, 1200 and CELOSE ME 1150, 1200.
Ultimately, the selection should be based on actual performance needs and site conditions.
Redispersible polymer powder (RDP) primarily enhances the bonding performance of mortar while also providing crack resistance and waterproofing properties. We recomend our RDP POLY 805.
What is RDP？
Redispersible polymer powder (RDP) is a spray-dried polymer powder made from emulsions, composed of:
Base materials: Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), acrylate (VAE), styrene-acrylate, etc.
Additives: Protective colloids (e.g., PVA), anti-caking agents, etc.
What's the function of RDP in Tile adhesive?
Enhanced Bonding Strength
The synergistic effect between polymer films and cement hydration products significantly improves adhesion to tiles (especially low-absorption tiles like porcelain) and substrates.
Improved Flexibility
Reduces cement rigidity, effectively absorbing thermal expansion/contraction or substrate movement stresses, minimizing hollowing and cracking risks.
How to Choose RDP?
Tile Adhesive (C1/C2): High-Tg EVA (e.g., Tg=+10°C to +20°C) enhances bond strength and anti-slip properties, while low-Tg EVA (e.g., Tg=-5°C to +5°C) improves flexibility for large-format tiles.
Our major types: POLY 795 (TG -5 ℃ ), POLY 805 (TG 5 ℃), POLY 810 (TG 10 ℃), POLY 815 (TG 15 ℃), POLY 820 (TG 20 ℃).
RDP for wall mortar
RDP POLY 805 is a versatile redispersible polymer powder that delivers exceptional bond strength and flexibility, making it suitable for most market applications.
For enhanced waterproofing performance, RDP POLY 820 is recommended, though it has a relatively higher glass transition temperature (Tg). Alternatively, RDP POLY 795—with a Tg of around -5°C—offers excellent flexibility and is ideal for cold climate regions.
Pull-off strength
Pull-off strength measures the maximum tensile load capacity between tile adhesive and substrate (or tiles) under perpendicular force (unit: MPa), critical for evaluating bond failure modes.
For C1 standard tile adhesives, we recommend CELOSE HP 1075 (medium viscosity) combined with RDP POLY 805 to meet most requirements, with optimized mid-coarse sand ratio. To reduce dosage, higher viscosity grades like CELOSE HP 1100/1150/1200 are also suggested. For C2 and specialty adhesives, modified HPMC or tailored RDP can be selected—contact our technical sales for details.
Open time
Open time refers to the period after application when tile adhesive remains workable for adjustment or tile placement. It depends on ambient temperature/humidity, HPMC viscosity, cement type, and substrate absorption. Under standard conditions (20℃/50%RH), C1 adhesives typically offer 15-25 minutes, while C2 grades may reach 20-30 minutes. High temperatures or absorbent substrates reduce open time, requiring solutions like high-water-retention CELOSE HP 1150, CELOSE HP 1200 or retarders.
Anti-slipping resistance
Anti-slipping resistance refers to the adhesive’s ability to prevent tiles from sliding downward under gravity on vertical or inclined surfaces, ensuring stable installation.
We recommend using high-viscosity HPMC, such as CELOSE HP 1150/1200, and optimizing the formulation (e.g., increasing coarse sand ratio, adding rheology modifiers like starch ether or fumed silica) to improve anti-slump performance. Our RDP POLY 805 can further enhance cohesion.
For easier anti-slump performance, you can also choose our specialized grades CELOSE HP T2150 and CELOSE HP T3150.
Water retention
Water retention is a critical property of wall mortar that ensures proper cement hydration, workability, and adhesion. It directly impacts crack resistance, bond strength, and durability, especially in porous substrates or dry/hot climates.
Generally, high-viscosity cellulose ethers provide excellent water retention, while low-viscosity types offer better workability but relatively lower water retention. When selecting products, we must balance water retention requirements, workability, and on-site construction conditions to ensure optimal performance.
If you have specific needs, please provide detailed requirements, and our technical team will recommend the most suitable solution for your project.
Water demand
Wall mortar water demand refers to the amount of water required to achieve optimal workability and hydration. It directly impacts strength, shrinkage, and durability.
In certain specialized applications, such as gypsum-based mortars, lightweight insulation mortars, and spray-applied mortars, it is necessary to increase the water-cement ratio to optimize performance or improve workability.
To meet these specific needs, we offer tailored product lines, including:
- CELOSE® HP G3075, G3100, G3150 (HPMC-based)
- CELOSE® ME G3075, G3100, G3150 (HEMC-based)
These formulations are designed to enhance water retention, adhesion, and sag resistance while maintaining excellent workability in high-water-demand applications.
For technical support or customized solutions, please contact our engineering team.
Anti-sagging
The ability of wall putty to resist downward flow when applied on vertical or overhead surfaces.Ensures uniform thickness and prevents material waste.
For applications requiring anti-sagging performance, we recommend modified HPMC and HEMC:
For cement-based products: CELOSE® HP C2075, C2100 and CELOSE® ME C2075, C2100.
For gypsum-based products: CELOSE® HP G3075, G3100 and CELOSE® ME G3075, G3100.
For further technical support, please contact our engineering team.
| C1 tile adhesive | ||
| Item | Mass percent | Properties |
| 42.5R cement | 35-40 | Binder |
| Quartz sand (50-80mesh) | 55-60 | Improve wear resistance |
| POLY 810(1) | 2-2.5 | Enhance adhesion and crack resistance |
| HP 1150(2) | 0.3-0.5 | Water retention, crack resistance, improve workability |
| Starch ethers | 0.01-0.03 | Sagging resistance |
| Calcium formate | 0.5-1 | Accelerator |
| C2 tile adhesive | ||
| Item | Mass percent | Properties |
| 52.5R cement | 40-45 | Binder |
| Quartz sand（70-80mesh） | 40-45 | Improve wear resistance |
| POLY 815(1) | 3.5-4 | Enhance adhesion and crack resistance） |
| HP 3100(2) | 0.4-0.6 | Water retention, crack resistance, improve workability |
| C2 tile adhesive | 0.03-0.05 | Sagging resistance |
| Metakaolin | 3-5 | Enhance hydration reaction and improve adhesion |
| Silane-based Water Repellent | 0.2-0.3 | Hydrophobic, mold prevention |
| Interior wall putty | ||
| Item | Mass Percent | Properties |
| White cement(42.5) | 25-30 | Binder |
| 400 mesh GCC (1) | 60-65 | Filler |
| Hydrated Lime | 5-8 | Enhance water resistance, adjust alkalinity |
| POLY 805(2) | 1-1.5 | Enhance adhesion and crack resistance |
| HP C2100(3) | 0.3-0.5 | Water retention, crack resistance, improve workability |
| Cellulose fiber (200mesh) | 0.2 | Improve workability, crack resistance |
| Exterior wall putty | ||
| Item | Mass percent | Properties |
| White cement | 35-40 | Binder |
| Quartz Sand (70-140 mesh) | 30-35 | Improve wear resistance |
| Hydrated Lime | 8-10 | Improve weather fastness |
| 400mesh GCC(1) | 15-20 | Improve workability |
| POLY 805(2) | 2-2.5 | Enhance adhesion and crack resistance |
| HP C2100(3) | 0.4-0.6 | Water retention, crack resistance, improve workability |
| Starch ethers | 0.05 | Prolong open time |
| PP fiber (6mm) | 0.1-0.2 | Crack resistance, enhance adhesion strength |
| Silane-based Water Repellent | 0.3-0.5 | Hydrophobic, mold prevention |