Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a non-ionic water-soluble polymer widely used in cosmetics, coatings, building materials, oilfield chemicals and pharmaceuticals as a thickener, stabilizer, suspending agent and film-forming agent. It has good thickening effect, salt resistance, alkali resistance and good biodegradability. In actual applications, the amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose added will vary depending on the application field, use environment and required performance.

In the field of cosmetics, hydroxyethyl cellulose is often used as a thickener and stabilizer. For example, in products such as lotions, gels, and facial cleansers, hydroxyethyl cellulose can improve the consistency of the product, enhance the feel of the product, and prevent the product from stratifying. In this case, the amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose added is usually between 0.1% and 1%, and the specific amount needs to be adjusted according to the specific formula and requirements of the product. If higher viscosity or better suspension performance is required, the amount added may be appropriately increased; if lower viscosity is required, the amount added will be reduced.

In building materials, hydroxyethyl cellulose is often used in products such as cement mortar, gypsum-based materials, putty powder and coatings to thicken, retain water, improve workability and increase material adhesion. In such applications, the amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose added is usually between 0.2% and 0.5%. This low amount is sufficient to significantly improve the material’s operating performance without excessively increasing the material’s cost or affecting the material’s final performance. In practical applications, the specific amount added also needs to be adjusted according to the material’s composition, the required construction performance and environmental conditions.

In oilfield chemicals, hydroxyethyl cellulose is used as a thickener and fluid loss reducer for drilling fluids, completion fluids and fracturing fluids, which can effectively increase the viscosity of the liquid, stabilize the well wall and prevent the loss of drilling fluids. In this field, the amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose added is usually between 0.5% and 1.5%. The actual amount added will be affected by downhole conditions (such as temperature, pressure, geological conditions, etc.), so it needs to be adjusted according to the specific construction environment and requirements.

In the coatings industry, the addition amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose is usually between 0.1% and 0.5%, depending on the type of coating and the required viscosity. In water-based coatings, hydroxyethyl cellulose not only provides a thickening effect, but also improves the thixotropy of the coating (i.e., the property of viscosity decreasing when stirred and recovering when stationary), improves the leveling and anti-spattering properties of the coating. In powder coatings, hydroxyethyl cellulose can increase the fluidity and uniformity of the powder, improve the convenience of construction and the surface quality of the finished product.

The amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose added depends on factors such as its functional requirements in the specific application, the required viscosity, suspension performance, and cost considerations. When designing a formula, it is usually necessary to determine the optimal addition amount through experiments and experience to achieve the expected product performance. Regardless of the field, a reasonable addition amount can not only ensure the excellent performance of the product, but also control costs and improve production efficiency. In actual operation, technicians will fine-tune the addition amount based on experimental results and specific needs to ensure that the quality and performance of the final product meet the expected standards.