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Rheological Properties

Viscosity & Flow Behavior

Overview

The rheological properties of Carboxymethyl Cellulose are among its most important functional characteristics. CMC exhibits pseudoplastic (shear-thinning) behavior, where viscosity decreases under shear stress. Understanding these properties is crucial for optimizing CMC performance in applications such as drilling fluids, coatings, and food products.

Temperature Effect

CMC solution viscosity is significantly affected by temperature changes, showing typical polymer behavior.

  • Viscosity decreases with increasing temperature
  • Reversible effect upon cooling
  • Optimal usage: 20-60°C

pH Effect

The viscosity of CMC solutions is stable within a specific pH range, with significant changes at extremes.

  • Optimal pH range: 6.5-8.5
  • Viscosity drops at pH < 3 or pH > 10
  • Maximum viscosity near neutral pH

Glycerol Compatibility

CMC shows excellent compatibility with glycerol, commonly used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

  • Compatible with glycerol-water mixtures
  • Enhanced film-forming with glycerol
  • Synergistic thickening effect

Typical Viscosity Ranges (mPa·s)

Brookfield viscosity at 25°C, measured at 20 RPM

Concentration Low Viscosity Medium Viscosity High Viscosity
0.5% 50-200 200-1000 1000-5000
1.0% 200-500 1000-3000 5000-15000
2.0% 500-1500 3000-8000 15000-50000

Key Factors Affecting Viscosity

Intrinsic Factors

  • Degree of Substitution (DS)
  • Molecular weight/Degree of polymerization
  • Uniformity of substitution
  • Particle size and shape

Extrinsic Factors

  • Solution concentration
  • Temperature
  • pH value
  • Presence of salts/electrolytes

Find the Right Viscosity Grade

Browse our complete range of CMC products with different viscosity specifications to find the perfect match for your application.

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