HPMC is widely used in dry-mixed mortar products. The addition of cellulose ether products in dry mix mortar is very low, but significantly improves the performance of mortar and is an important additive affecting the construction performance of mortar. To be able to better explain the importance of HPMC in dry-mixed mortar, let us first understand dry-mixed mortar.
What is dry mix mortar?
Dry mix mortar is a mixture of cement, sand, minerals, and a small number of chemical additives (such as cellulose ether) in proportion to each other. It is a high-quality mortar with good handling and laying characteristics. Dry-mix mortar is one of the most versatile materials used in the modern construction industry.
What is the role of cellulose ether HPMC in dry mix mortar?
HPMC forms a colloidal film with a three-dimensional network structure in water, which changes the migration ability of water. Due to the influence of film space network structure, HPMC colloid adsorbs on the surface of cement and sand particles and plays a bridging role. The fine particles form a grid-like distribution, and the hydration products form a unique fibrous dendritic structure, which establishes a significant link between plastic viscosity and the water retention strength of mortar.[1]www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. Water Retention Mechanism of HPMC in Cement Mortar.
[online] Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7372461/>
[Accessed September 30, 2022].
Why Must add HPMC in dry mix mortar?
- Thickening – HPMC can prevent separation and improve cohesion, improving the sagging resistance of mortar.
- Water Retention – Improves the water retention effect of mortar, effectively prevents mortar from losing water too fast and causing drying and cracking, and gives mortar a longer construction time.
- Enhanced adhesion and functionality – Overcome the common problems of ordinary mortar, such as shelling and hollowing. significantly increase the bond strength of wet mortar to the substrate, reduce the material down, save materials and reduce costs.
- Retarding – It can work the time of mortar, enhance the plasticity of mortar, and construction effect.
- Improve the frost resistance of mortar – Enhance the frost resistance and durability of mortar.
How to make HPMC better to improve the construction of dry mix mortar, you can contact MikaZone’s product experts to customize your formulation.
References
| ↑1 | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. Water Retention Mechanism of HPMC in Cement Mortar. [online] Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7372461/> [Accessed September 30, 2022]. |
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