Hydroxyethyl Cellulose HEC 250 HHBR

HEC (Hydroxyethylcellulose) is a thickener for water based products. The HEC allows you to modify rheology and build pleasing textures in shampoos, conditioners, body washes, hair colorants, creams and lotions, skin cleansers and many more.

This grade of HEC with designation 250 HHBR offer delayed hydration and superior resistance to biological and chemical degradation. A 1% preparation of HEC250 in water results a viscosity of about 3400 up to 5500 cps.

It is an off-white powder that is dispersed and dissolved in cold or hot water, to produce solutions of varying viscosities. Chemically, it is cellulose of short to very long chain that has been etherified to hydroxyethyl ether to achieve an optimum balance of properties. HEC250 is used as a viscosity and rheology modifier, protective colloid, water retention agent, stabilizer and suspending agent, particularly in those applications where a nonionic material is desired.

For cold or room temperature preparation a continuous stirring of at least 30 minutes is recommended to get a consistent and homogeneous viscosity. 

Other properties are as follows:

Moisture content as packed, 5% Max

pH of solution: 6 up to 8.5

Particle size: Passes U.S. Mesh 325

Uses/ Applications:

HEC250HHBR hydroxyethylcellulose is a granular powder that dissolves in water to give clear smooth solutions, which exhibit a pseudoplastic flow behavior. At neutral pH and ambient temperature, it disperses in water without lump formation and provides easy dissolution. These solutions are unaffected by high concentration of soluble salts. Viscosity is little affected by mild acids and alkalies. Because of its nonionic character HEC has wide compatibility with other materials, such as emulsion polymers, natural and synthetic gums, emulsifiers, defoamers.

HEC is used as high efficiency nonionic thickener, water retension aid and rheology modifier in all types of water based paints and surface coatings, and in a variety of other aqueous industrial products.  HEC250HHBR offers additional feature of superior storage stability when used under conditions that enhance microbial growth. 

As a protective colloid and stabilizer HEC performs outstandingly in the emulsion and suspension polymerization of many vinyl polymers. Its unique combination of properties explains its use in pigment dispersion and in tile adhesives. 

Regulatory Status:

HEC is in compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in adhesives, resinous and polymeric coatings employed on food-contact surfaces of metal, paper or paperboard articles, and other suitable substances intended for use in food packaging as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Sections 175.105, 175.300, 176.180, 177.1210. and 182.99.

This grade of HEC does not comply with USP/FCC for pharmaceutical applications.

CAS Number: 9004-62-0

CAS Name: Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether

Key Features

• Delayed hydration and superior stability
• Forms clear, smooth solutions
• Resistant to biological and chemical degradation
• Compatible with a wide range of materials
• Nonionic nature ideal for various applications
• Compliant with U.S. FDA for food-contact surfaces

Product Specifications