The quality of cellulose ether is influenced by many aspects. So how can we judge the quality of cellulose ether from the ash content of HPMC after combustion?

First we need to understand what ash is.

(1)Ash, also known as scorch residue, can simply be understood as impurities inside the product. They are naturally produced during the production process. After the product comes out of the etherification reactor. It enters the neutralisation kettle. The more hot water is added and the more times it is washed, the lower the ash content, and vice versa.

(1)The size of the ash is also reflected in the purity of the cellulose ether. The higher the purity the less the ash after combustion!
cellulose ether quality

Next we will analyse the information we get through the process of burning HPMC

I: The lower the ash content the higher the quality in relative terms
Determinants of the amount of ash residue.

(1) The quality of the raw material (refined cotton): in general the better the quality of the refined cotton the whiter the colour of the Cellulose ether produced, the ash content, the better the water retention.

(2) The number of washing: there will be some dust and impurities in the raw material, the more times the washing, the smaller the ash in the finished product after burning, relatively speaking.

(3) The addition of small materials to the finished product will lead to a large amount of ash after combustion.

(4) The production process does not react well will also affect the ash content of cellulose ether.

(5) Some manufacturers will add combustion aids to confuse people’s vision, there is almost no ash after combustion, in this case we need to remember the colour and state of the pure powder after combustion, because although the cellulose ether with combustion aids can be fully combusted, but the colour after combustion and pure powder is still very different.

II: Length of burning time.

Cellulose ether with good water retention burns for a relatively long time, and vice versa for those with low water retention.