The Properties of CMC (01)

The properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC):

1. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is tasteless and harmless white powder, coarse particles or fibers. It is easy to dissolve in water, and forms transparent and sticky solution which is neutral or slightly alkaline. It has high dispersion and cohesion.

2. CMC solution will precipitate when it meets organic acid solution or mineral acid solution. According to observation, at pH 2.5, turbidity and precipitation begin to occur in CMC solution. Therefore, pH2.5 is considered a critical point.

3. When encounters salts such as calcium, magnesium and common salt, CMC solution does not precipitate but its viscosity is reduced. Adding EDTA or phosphate can prevent the decrease of viscosity.

4. Temperature has a great influence on the viscosity of CMC solution. As the temperature rises, the viscosity decreases and vice versa. The viscosity of CMC solution is stable at room temperature, but it decreases gradually when CMC solution is heated for a long time at above 80℃. Generally, if the heating temperature doesn't exceed 110℃, the viscosity of CMC solution will return to its original state when cooled to 25℃ even though it is heated for 3 hours. However, after heating at 120℃ for 2 hours, the viscosity of CMC solution decreases by 18.9% when the temperature returns to the original.