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Introduction[]

This blog post will describe my hunting after HEC products. It looks like it's much harder to get your hands on HEC if you're from Europe. So I'll be describing my actions to get HEC here in hope that it might help someone later on :)

Since I can't get my hands on Tylose here in Denmark, I need some other HEC product (HEC stands for HydroxyEthyl Cellulose). And that would be Natrosol or something like it.

HEC from UK[]

Hydroxyethyl cellulose ebay uk

After looking for HydroxyEthyl Cellulose on eBay UK, I found the following item: Hydroxyethyl cellulose 250 Grams Water-soluble polymers thickening Agent

Seller couldn't answer me if it was Natrosol or not, he had no details on the product whatsoever. But given the low price, I've decided to order some to see how it performs. 

... Waiting for it to arrive!



Update #1 / 4th Sept 2013[]

Hydroxyethyl cellulose 500 Grams Water-soluble polymers thickening Agent

Hydroxyethyl cellulose 500 Grams Water-soluble polymers thickening Agent

It finally arrived in the envelope. Inside there was a plastic bag which contained white powder. On the bag one could read the following: "Hydroxyethyl cellulose 500 Grams Water-soluble polymers thickening Agent".

Here's the picture >

As I wrote earlier, seller couldn't tell me if it was Natrosol or not, so I have no specs on this HEC at all. I'll have to compare this batch against other HEC products that I've ordered.


HEC from China[]

I found one more seller that can source HEC from China. They've sent me a file (DOC file) with the following specs of their product:

Certificate of Analysis

Product name:

Hydroxy Ethyl Cellulose(HEC)

Grade: H4000

Batch No.: 2013136

CAS No.: 9004-62-0

Quantity:2525KG

Manufacturing Date: 2013.02.07

Exp. Date: 2016.02.06

Report date:2013.02.08

Shelf life: 3 years


Items

Standard

Result

Appearance

White powder

White powder

Viscosity*, mpa.s

3400-5000

4080

Moisture, %

<5.0

1.99

Ash,%

<10.0

3

Transmittance,2%>

>85.0

95.8

PH

6.0-8.5

7

Gelling Particle

5-10

4-9

Retarded swelling time.mins

5-20

16

Solubility temp,°C

25

25

Particle size,through 60

99%

99.20%

Conclusion

Passed


  • 1 % solution,on dry basis,Brookfield LVT,63*30rpm,25°C


Seems not bad. I've asked for the price... To be updated!

Update #1 / 26th Aug 2013[]

Finally I got some info on the product and the prices were way too high! I've declined the offer.

500g - USD 209 excl. Danish taxes (+25%)

1000g - USD 225 excl. Danish taxes (+25%)

HEC from South Korea[]

I've got info from one more seller in South Korea. They could source me Samsung’s HEC “HECELLOSE H100K” which should be counter type of Natrosol 250HHR.

I've got 2 files from them: have a look here (PPTX, PowerPoint file) and here(PDF file).

Here's some specifications (from the PDF file):


TM Product Description

HECELLOSETM H100K is a nonionic, water-soluble polymer from wood pulps or cotton linters that can be used for water retention aid and rheology modifier in water-based paints. HECELLOSETM H100K is a high viscosity grade of hydroxy ethyl cellulose.

Application

HECELLOSETM H100K is widely used for water-based paints, construction, and personal care products. It provides good pseudoplastic flow and wide compatibility with colored pigments, emulsion polymers, surfactants, emulsifiers, defoamers, and preservatives. In order to avoid lump formations caused by a quicker than optimal dissolution rate, HECELLOSETM is properly treated to achieve optimum hydration time for each application.

Typical properties

Physical Data Specification Remark
Appearance Off White Powder
Particle Size 90%<425μm Vibrator Sieve
Moisture Content Max. 5%
Viscosity (1% solution, 25°C, ) 3,500~5,000 cps Brookfield LV
pH 6.0~8.5


They've been so kind to send me a test sample. Waiting for it to arrive!


Update #1 / 10th Sept 2013[]

Seems like my samples arrived in Denmark. I've got a call from the customs asking regarding the package with some white powder in it. Oh man, did I felt like a terrorist, haha!

I've had to explain in detail what it is, what it is used for and I also had to supply the prices (in case customs had to tax me some). I just resent them the specifications I've linked to earlier on.

Let's see if they let the goods pass further to me :)


Update #2 / 11th Septh 2013[]

Aaaaaand the package has arrived! Woohoo!


HEC from India[]

I've discovered a trade marked in India where one could create an "ad " and the others would then offer their goods.

As of now, I've got contact info on 3 different traders and I've contacted them myself (instead of waiting). Waiting for some feedback...

Update #1 / 8th Sept 2013[]

Today I've got a reply from one of the Indian companies called Indra Agro-tech Private Limited and they had some alternatives to Natrosol. Their product is called INDRACELL. They had 2 products which could satisfy my needs:

  • INDRACELL HHQ 225GC (2% 25000 mPa.s, Brookfield Viscometer 20 rpm 30 Deg Celsius)
  • INDRACELL MQ 225 G (2% 25000 mPa.s, Brookfield Viscometer 20 rpm 30 Deg Celsius)

Notice the 25000 mPa.s! Both products are industrial grade. More info on these 2 can be found in PDF format under this link where you have to click on the "Paint" button at the right.

I've asked the company to send me some samples of both of the products. Let's see what will happend!


Update #2 / 9th Sept 2013[]

I've got an e-mail confirming that they will send me free samples tomorrow - 500gr of each product.


Update #3 / 12th Sept 2013[]

Well, that was fast! The package arrived home, sound and safe! 2 x 500gr free sample!

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