HPMC Selection Guide | Dry Mix Mortar Grades

HPMC/MHEC-Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose/Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose

MSDS-Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose(HPMC)-EN.pdf

MSDS-Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose(MHEC)-EN.pdf

Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) and Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (MHEC) are non-ionic cellulose ethers produced by etherification of refined natural cellulose. Both are white or off-white powders that dissolve in hot or cold water to form a transparent solution with controllable viscosity.

HPMC and MHEC are core functional additives in dry-mixed mortar and related industries, providing water retention, thickening, adhesion improvement, extended open time, and anti-slip performance.

Key Properties

- Water retention — reduces water loss to porous substrates and supports complete cement hydration

- Thickening — adjusts workability and anti-sag behavior of the fresh mortar

- Adhesion — improves bond strength to the substrate

- Extended open time — prolongs the working window for tile adjustment and surface finishing

- Anti-slip — prevents heavy tiles from sliding on vertical surfaces

- High-temperature stability — MHEC (MH series) maintains viscosity and stability at elevated temperatures

Application Range

- Tile adhesive

- EIFS / ETICS (external wall insulation system)

- Plaster and render

- Skim coat and wall putty

- Joint filler

- Self-leveling compound

- No-shrink grout

- Paints and coatings

- Personal care and detergents

Product Series Overview

Model / Series	Appearance	Methoxy (%)	Hydroxypropoxy (%)	Hydroxyethoxy (%)	Gel Temperature	Loss on Drying (%)
HPMC HP series	White to off-white powder	23–27	9.0–12.0	—	55–65°C	Max 5
HPMC HK series	White to off-white powder	18–22	9.0–12.0	—	65–70°C	Max 5
MHEC MH series	White to off-white powder	18–30	—	7–10	Above 70°C	—
MD series	Modified cellulose ether — specification depends on the original property of the basic cellulose ether and its degree of modification

MD series is the modified cellulose ether, the specification of MD cellulose ether depends on the original property of the basic cellulose ether and its degree of modification.

Naming Convention

The grade name is composed of a series prefix, a viscosity number, and an optional suffix:

[Series] + [Viscosity number] + [Suffix]

Part	Meaning
Prefix	Chemical family: HP = HPMC high-substitution / HK = HPMC medium-substitution / MH = MHEC / MD = Modified
Number	Nominal viscosity in mPa·s divided by 1000 (for M-graded products). Grades without "M" (e.g. HP 400) state viscosity directly in mPa·s
Suffix S	Surface-treated, delayed solubility — disperses in cold water without lumping, then hydrates

Examples

Grade	Composition
HP 100M	HPMC, high-substitution, 100,000 mPa·s
HK 200M	HPMC, medium-substitution, 200,000 mPa·s, heat-resistant
MH 100MS	MHEC, 100,000 mPa·s, surface-treated (delayed solubility)
MD 5120	Modified HPMC, 50,000–70,000 mPa·s, medium-substitution base

Viscosity Reference

Viscosity measured at 2% aqueous solution, 20°C.

Grade	Brookfield LV (mPa·s)	Brookfield RV (mPa·s)	NDJ (mPa·s)	Cold Water Soluble
HP / MH 400	320–480	320–480	320–480	No
HP / MH 40M	30,000–50,000	15,000–25,000	30,000–50,000	No
HP / MH 60M	45,000–75,000	25,000–35,000	45,000–75,000	No
HP / HK / MH 100M	80,000–120,000	40,000–50,000	80,000–120,000	No
HP / MH 150M	120,000–170,000	50,000–60,000	120,000–170,000	No
HP / HK / MH 200M	170,000–220,000	60,000–80,000	170,000–220,000	No
HP / MH 40MS	30,000–50,000	15,000–25,000	30,000–50,000	Yes
HP / MH 60MS	45,000–75,000	25,000–35,000	45,000–75,000	Yes
HP / HK / MH 100MS	80,000–120,000	40,000–50,000	80,000–120,000	Yes
HP / MH 150MS	120,000–170,000	50,000–60,000	120,000–170,000	Yes
HP / HK / MH 200MS	170,000–220,000	60,000–80,000	170,000–220,000	Yes

Quick Selection Guide

Requirement	Recommended Grade
Tile adhesive C1, ordinary climate	HP 60M, HP 100M, HK 50M, HK 100M, HK 200M
Tile adhesive C1, hot climate	HK 100M, HK 200M, MH 200M
Tile adhesive C2	HP 100M, HP 60M, MH 100M, MH 60M
EIFS, anti-sag critical	HP 200M, HK 200M
Machine-applied skim coat	HP 200MS, HP 100MS
Self-leveling compound	HP 400
No-shrink grout	HP 400
Tile joint filler / grout	HP 100M, HP 60M, HK 100M, HK 60M
Gypsum plaster / putty	MH 100M, MH 200M, HP 100M, HP 200M, HP 60M
Natural stone paint	MH 100MS, HE 50000, HE 100000, HE 150000
Latex paint	MH 100MS, HE 30000, HE 50000
Detergent / personal care	DTP 200MS, DTE 200MS
Cost-effective construction	MD 5120, MD 6120, MD 5220