In dry mortar, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) is a widely used cellulose ether additive. Its application in dry mortar greatly affects the construction performance, water retention, workability, crack resistance and other physical properties of the mortar. The superior performance of HPMC makes it widely used in building materials, especially in dry mortar systems, where it plays a vital role.

1. Thickening effect
HPMC has a significant thickening effect, allowing dry mortar to achieve better thixotropy during construction. HPMC forms a stable viscous solution after dissolving in water, which improves the operability and anti-sag properties of construction by increasing the viscosity of the mortar. In construction situations such as plastering and tile bonding, good sag resistance can keep the mortar evenly distributed on the wall and avoid sliding down due to gravity. At the same time, appropriate thickening effect can also control the fluidity and application thickness of mortar, improving construction accuracy.

2. Water retention
A key characteristic of HPMC in dry mortars is its excellent water retention properties. Since HPMC has good hydrophilicity and water absorption, it can effectively absorb and retain moisture. This kind of water retention is very important for dry mortar, because in a dry construction environment, especially in high temperature and low humidity environments, the water in the mortar is easy to evaporate quickly, causing the mortar to lose water and bonding properties in advance, affecting the later strength. of formation. HPMC can significantly extend the existence time of water, thereby ensuring the full progress of the cement hydration reaction and improving the strength of the mortar. In addition, water retention can also reduce the occurrence of cracks and avoid early dry shrinkage cracks in the mortar.

3. Enhance workability
Workability refers to the operability of dry mortar during mixing and construction. HPMC can significantly improve the workability of mortar, making it easier to stir the mortar evenly and reducing resistance during construction. The lubricating film formed by HPMC in the mortar makes the mortar smoother during mixing and application, helping to reduce the difficulty of construction. In addition, the molecular structure of HPMC helps improve the fluidity of the mortar, making it easier to spread during the application process, thereby improving construction efficiency.

4. Improve crack resistance
Cracks caused by drying shrinkage are a common problem in mortars, and the water retention properties of HPMC help reduce the occurrence of such cracks. By prolonging the evaporation time of water in the mortar, HPMC can reduce the shrinkage stress caused by rapid water loss during cement hydration. In addition, the thickening effect of HPMC can also improve the bonding strength of mortar, thereby effectively enhancing the crack resistance of mortar. This anti-cracking effect plays an important role in reducing repair and maintenance costs in the later stages of construction.

5. Improve freeze-thaw resistance
HPMC also has a certain effect on improving the freeze-thaw resistance of dry mortar. In cold construction environments, the moisture in the cement mortar may freeze, causing damage to the internal structure of the mortar. The water retention and thickening effects of HPMC can alleviate the impact of freeze-thaw cycles on mortar to a certain extent. It reduces the damage to the mortar caused by the freezing and expansion of water during the freeze-thaw cycle by reducing the free water content in the mortar.

6. Improve surface smoothness
In plastering and leveling mortars, HPMC can also improve the smoothness and uniformity of the mortar surface. The thickening and water-retaining properties of HPMC make the mortar shrink more uniformly during the drying process and reduce the roughness of the mortar surface. For mortars that require higher surface quality, such as interior and exterior wall plastering, floor leveling, etc., the use of HPMC can effectively improve the surface effect and reduce subsequent polishing work.

7. Control the opening time of mortar
During the construction process, the opening time of dry mortar is crucial to the workers’ operation. Opening time refers to the time interval between when the mortar is laid and when the surface of the mortar begins to lose its stickiness. The water retention of HPMC slows down the evaporation rate of water in the mortar, prolongs the opening time of the mortar, and increases the operational flexibility of workers during the construction process, especially under complex working conditions.

8. Improve bonding strength
HPMC can effectively improve the bonding strength of dry mortar, especially in ceramic tile adhesives. The polymer network structure formed by HPMC in the aqueous solution can enhance the internal cohesion of the mortar, thus improving the adhesion of the mortar to the substrate. This improvement is of great significance for applications requiring higher bonding strength such as tile adhesives and thermal insulation mortars.

As an important dry mortar additive, HPMC’s thickening, water retention, toughening and other properties greatly improve the comprehensive performance of dry mortar and is suitable for a variety of construction situations.