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Send EmailE464, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Hypromellose, Methocel, HPMC, 9004-65-3
🧪 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) – CAS No: 9004-65-3
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC), also known as Hypromellose or Methocel, is a non-ionic, water-soluble cellulose ether. It is widely used across industries including detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and construction chemicals.
⚙️ Technical Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose |
| Synonyms | HPMC, Hypromellose, Methocel, Opadry |
| CAS Number | 9004-65-3 |
| E Number (Food Use) | E464 |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| Solubility | Soluble in cold water; insoluble in hot water |
| pH (1% solution) | 6.0 – 8.0 |
| Viscosity Range | 5 – 100,000 cps (depending on grade) |
| Thermal Gelation | Forms gel at 50–55 °C |
🧰 Applications by Industry
| Industry | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Detergents | Thickener, foam control, stabilizer |
| Cosmetics | Film-former, emulsifier, viscosity modifier |
| Pharmaceuticals | Tablet coating, controlled release matrix |
| Food | Emulsifier, stabilizer, texture enhancer (E464) |
| Construction | Water retention agent, binder, rheology modifier |
🏭 Production Overview
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Alkaline Treatment: Natural cellulose is treated with sodium hydroxide
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Etherification: Reacted with methyl chloride and propylene oxide
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Purification: Washed and neutralized
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Drying & Milling: Final product is dried and ground into powder
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Quality Control: Viscosity, substitution degree, and purity are tested
🧾 Alias-Free Naming Table for HPMC
| Name Variant | Context / Usage Area |
|---|---|
| Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose | Official IUPAC name; used in pharma & tech docs |
| HPMC | Common abbreviation; used across all sectors |
| Hypromellose | INCI name; widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics |
| Methocel | Trademarked name (Dow Chemical); industrial & food use |
| Opadry | Coating system brand (Colorcon); pharma applications |
| E464 | EU food additive code; used in food labeling |
| Hidroksipropil Metilselüloz | Turkish technical name; used in local documentation |
| CAS No: 9004-65-3 |
HPMC stands for Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, a versatile polymer widely used in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and construction2. It is derived from cellulose and modified to enhance properties like water solubility, viscosity control, film formation, and stability.
Common Applications:
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Pharmaceuticals: Used in tablet coatings, controlled drug release, and eye drops.
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Food Industry: Acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in various products.
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Cosmetics & Personal Care: Found in shampoos, lotions, and makeup for texture and stability.
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Construction: Improves adhesion, water retention, and workability in cement-based materials
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is also known by several other names, including:
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Hypromellose – Commonly used in pharmaceutical applications.
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Methocel – A registered trademark of Dow Chemical Company.
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Pharmacoat – Used in pharmaceutical coatings.
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Opadry – A brand name for HPMC-based coatings.
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E464 – Its Codex Alimentarius food additive code
Chemical & Physical Properties
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CAS Number: 9004-65-3.
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Molecular Formula: C12H22O11.
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Density: 1.26 g/cm³.
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Appearance: White to off-white powder.
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Solubility: Soluble in water, insoluble in alcohol.
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Thermal Stability: Forms gel upon heating in water.
HPMC is widely used due to its biocompatibility, non-toxic nature, and versatility across multiple applications.
