Klucel™ hydroxypropylcellulose INCI Name: Hydroxypropylcellulose
Typical Properties of Klucel HPC
Klucel hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), a nonionic polymer, is a white to off-white, free flowing, granular solid with a remarkable combination of properties. It is made by reacting alkali cellulose with propylene oxide. The resultant polymer is purified, dried and ground. Manufactured in Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients GMP facility in Hopewell, Virginia, the high purity HPC (0.2% ash maximum) is offered in food (F), cosmetic (CS), and pharmaceutical (Pharm) grades.
Physical Properties Purity, dry basis, %, minimum calculated as Na2SO4ash............................................................................ 99.5 Moisture content, as packed, % maximum.................5.0 Softening temperature, °F (°C)...........212-302 (100-150) Bulk density, g/ml....................................................................0.5 Biological oxygen demand, ppm................................14,000
Figure 1– Idealized Chemical Structure of Klucel HPC With an MS of 2.25
Solutions pH, 1% solution................................................................. 5.5-8.0 Surface tension, 0.1% solution, dynes/cm.........................43.6 Specific gravity, 2% solution...........................................1.010 Refractive index, 2% solution.........................................1.337 Solution Viscosity and Nomenclature Klucel CS grade HPC is produced in six viscosity/MW types, designated as H, M, G, J, L and E. The grade designation is a combination of viscosity followed by regulatory type. For example: Klucel H CS HPC is a high viscosity cosmetic grade.
Klucel HPC is unique in that it is soluble in the broadest range of solvent systems of all the cellulose Solution viscosity in both water and ethanol for the various ethers. It is readily soluble in cold water, alcohols, grades of Klucel CS HPC are found in the table below: many polar organic solvents, PEG and PG. HPC Water Ethanol Average is generally insoluble in water over 105°F (40°C). % Viscosity Viscosity Molecular However the precipitation phenomenon, occurs only Klucel Solution Range, cps Range, cps Weight in water and is fully reversible upon cooling. H CS 1 1,500-3,000 1,000-4,000 1150K
• Hair styling gels • AP/Deodorants • Sprayed fixatives • Suncare gels • Denture adhesive film • Hand sanitizer • Shave gels and foams • Mousses Klucel HPC can be used to thicken aqueous and polar organic systems. Aqueous solutions of Klucel HPC are water-white and are of high clarity. High molecular weight grades, known as high viscosity types, are effective thickeners and film formers, while lower molecular weight grades are often employed for their excellent film forming properties.
10
M CS
2
4,000-6,500
3,000-6,500
850K
G CS
2
150-400
75-400
370K
J CS
5
150-400
75-400
140K
L CS
5
75-150
25-150
95K
E CS
10
200-600
150-700
80K
Figure 2- Effect of Concentration and Type of Klucel HPC on Viscosity of Water Solutions 100,000
Brookfield Viscosity at 25°C, cps (mPas)
Typical Applications in Personal Care Klucel HPC is often used where advantage can be taken of its unique solubility in water, alcohol, or anhydrous systems. Klucel HPC is an excellent film-forming polymer which yields flexible, clear, thermoplastic, non-tacky films. This combination of properties makes it useful in the applications listed below:
H Viscosity Types
10,000
M Viscosity Types
G Viscosity Types J Viscosity Types
L Viscosity Types
1,000
E Viscosity Types
100
10
0
0
2
4 6 8 10 Solids Concentration of Klucel™ HPC, weight %
12
14