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Revestimentos à Base de ÁguaHEC Solutions for Viscosity Control, Rheology, Pigment Suspension, Brush and Roller Application, and Stable In-Can Consistency in Polymer Emulsion Coating Systems.

HEC (Hydroxyethyl Cellulose) is the most widely used cellulose ether in water-based coatings. It improves thickening, viscosity control, pigment and filler suspension, rheology behavior, brush and roller application performance, and storage stability across interior wall coatings, exterior wall coatings, latex paints, emulsion paints, primers, and decorative coatings.

HEC builds viscosity in the water phase, stabilizes pigments and fillers against settling, improves brush and roller application consistency, supports leveling, helps reduce sagging on vertical surfaces, and maintains stable in-can viscosity during storage. It is a non-ionic thickener compatible with anionic dispersants and polymer emulsions.

Thickening helps coatings maintain product body, reduce pigment and filler settling during storage, improve application control during brushing and rolling, reduce sagging on vertical surfaces, and support uniform coating appearance in the dried film. Without adequate thickening, coatings become watery, unstable, and difficult to apply consistently.

A common reference dosage range is 0.1%–1.0% by weight, depending on coating type, target viscosity, pigment and filler loading, PVC level, and formulation design. Interior coatings typically use 0.2%–0.7%, while high-PVC decorative coatings may require up to 1.0%. Final dosage must be confirmed through viscosity testing and stability evaluation.

Yes. HEC increases water-phase viscosity and structural support, which helps slow the rate of pigment and filler settling during storage. This supports more consistent color, opacity, and texture from the first use to the last. However, the complete suspension system — including dispersants, filler particle size, and formulation balance — also plays an important role.

HEC can support leveling by helping control the rheology profile of the coating. A properly selected HEC grade contributes to balanced flow behavior during and after application. However, final leveling performance also depends on binder type, surfactants, dispersants, defoamers, and viscosity balance across the full shear rate range.

HEC primarily improves fresh coating properties such as viscosity, suspension, rheology, and application stability. Final coating durability — including scrub resistance, weather resistance, adhesion, and film integrity — depends primarily on binder type, pigment system, additives, film formation conditions, substrate preparation, and curing.

Viscosity loss may be caused by poor HEC hydration during production, unsuitable grade selection, pH effects, surfactant or dispersant incompatibility, preservative interactions, high electrolyte content, temperature changes during storage, or excessive shear during mixing. Systematic storage stability testing and grade review can help identify and resolve the root cause.

Start by defining your coating type, target viscosity, binder system, pigment and filler loading, PVC level, pH range, additive system, application method, and storage stability requirement. Then contact LANDERCOLL with these parameters — our technical team can recommend suitable HEC grades and provide samples for formulation evaluation.