Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is an important chemical additive. Its application in premixed mortar plays a variety of important roles, mainly in improving the working performance of mortar, enhancing adhesion, controlling moisture, and extending construction time.
1. Improving the working performance of mortar
The working performance of premixed mortar refers to the operability of mortar, including fluidity, plasticity and adhesion. KimaCell®HPMC, as a polymer compound, has good thickening properties. After being added to the mortar, it can effectively increase the viscosity of the mortar, making the mortar smoother and more uniform, thereby improving the construction performance of the mortar. Specifically, HPMC can make the mortar easier to apply during the construction process, reduce the construction difficulties caused by poor mortar fluidity, and avoid the phenomenon of water seepage caused by excessive dilution of the mortar.
2. Enhance the adhesion of mortar
In construction projects, the adhesion of mortar is one of the key factors to ensure the stability of the building. HPMC can form stronger adhesion between mortar and substrate by increasing the viscosity of mortar. This enhanced adhesion not only enables mortar to better bond with substrates such as wall surfaces and bricks, but also effectively reduces the shedding phenomenon between mortar and substrate, and increases the overall stability and durability of the wall.
3. Control moisture retention
HPMC has a strong moisture retention capacity. In premixed mortar, moisture is one of the key factors affecting the performance of mortar. If the moisture evaporates too quickly, the drying speed of the mortar will accelerate, resulting in a decrease in its performance and even cracks. HPMC can effectively delay the evaporation of moisture and maintain the moisture in the mortar, thereby ensuring that the mortar has enough time for the cement hydration reaction to achieve the best strength and durability.
4. Extend construction time
Since it often takes a long time to carry out processes such as smearing and plastering during construction, the extension of construction time requires higher performance of mortar. The addition of HPMC can effectively delay the setting time of mortar, allowing construction workers to have more time to operate. Especially in the construction of a large area, extending the open time of the mortar can reduce the construction difficulty caused by the mortar hardening too quickly, and reduce the problems of mortar agglomeration or uneven surface that may occur during the construction process.
5. Improve water resistance and frost resistance
Another important role played by HPMC in mortar is to improve the water resistance and frost resistance of the mortar. Due to its unique structure, HPMC can form a protective film with strong hydrophilicity in the mortar, enhancing the mortar's ability to resist water penetration. This is especially important for products such as waterproof mortar and exterior wall mortar, which can effectively prevent moisture from entering and extend the service life of the building. In addition, the addition of HPMC can also improve the frost resistance of the mortar, especially in construction projects in cold areas, which can effectively avoid freeze-thaw damage caused by low temperature environments.
6. Improve the adjustability of mortar
Different construction environments and construction requirements have different requirements for the performance of mortar. HPMC can adjust the different properties of mortar, such as fluidity, viscosity and strength, so different types of mortar can be customized according to actual needs to meet the construction requirements of different projects. For example, for exterior wall insulation mortar, higher adhesion and water resistance may be required; while for tile adhesives, more attention may be paid to its ductility and fluidity. HPMC can adjust the performance of mortar according to these different requirements in order to provide the most suitable material solution.
7. Improve the surface finish of mortar
HPMC can not only improve the construction performance of mortar, but also improve the flatness and finish of mortar surface. During the construction process, the thickening effect of KimaCell®HPMC can make the mortar more delicate, thereby reducing the occurrence of problems such as roughness and cracks on the mortar surface, and ensure that the effect after construction is more beautiful. Especially in some decoration projects with higher requirements, the surface flatness and smoothness of mortar directly affect the adhesion and final effect of later coatings, tiles, etc.
As an important additive in premixed mortar, HPMC plays a multi-faceted role. From improving the working performance of mortar, enhancing adhesion, controlling moisture retention, extending construction time, improving water resistance and frost resistance, to improving the surface finish of mortar, its role in improving mortar performance cannot be ignored. As the construction industry's requirements for mortar performance continue to increase, the use of HPMC will further promote the technological progress of building materials and provide more high-quality and reliable material options for construction.
Post time: Feb-08-2025