Methyl cellulose ether is one of the essential additives in dry-mixed mortar products. It is used with Redispersible Polymer powder to modify ordinary cement mortar and gypsum-based products synergistically. The enormous contribution of methyl cellulose ether is its water retention and thickening effect. For example, an aerated concrete block is a lightweight new wall material product with good physical quality and mechanical properties, thermal properties, heat preservation, and energy saving.
However, the plaster on the aerated concrete wall very quickly falls off, and cracks, and the impermeability is poor that significantly affecting the further development of aerated concrete products. Because of its high water absorption rate, the plastering mortar of aerated concrete blocks is easy to break and fall off. The blocks easily absorb the water in ordinary mortar, and the cement hydration needs to be completed, resulting in low strength. The surface is powdered, the strength is low, and it is difficult to bond with the mortar. Using ordinary mortar without adding methyl cellulose ether needs to be bonded with thicker mortar since there is no water retention and thickening effect. Due to the high water absorption rate of the base layer, it is easy to cause water loss, and the hydration reaction is not complete, causing the mortar to crack and fall off. After adding methyl cellulose ether, it has an excellent water retention function. The water in the mortar is not easily absorbed, and the hydration is relatively complete.
It cooperates with the Redispersible Polymer powder to penetrate the block’s surface to form a new bonding surface. The surface has good strength, flexibility, and high bonding strength with aerated concrete blocks, which will have a particular inhibitory effect on shrinkage and cracking and is essential in preventing cracking. Water retention is significant for constructing mortar and bottom plastering and bonding construction on high water absorption substrates. Methyl cellulose ether can also improve the plasticity of cement mortar, improve rheological properties, and prolong the adjustment time of tile adhesives and available time.
Using methyl cellulose ether in high-flow pumpable mortar can increase the viscosity of the water phase; reduce and prevent segregation and bleeding.
In the plastering putty, methyl cellulose ether can increase the viscosity and good water retention, ensure that it does not peel or curl during scraping, and has the characteristics of good operability.
In all dry-mixed mortar products, methyl cellulose ether needs to be added without exception. Its most significant contribution is to increase the mortar’s water retention capacity, improve the cement mortar’s fluidity, workability, and initial strength, and avoid cracking, especially in excellent high water absorption base and high-temperature construction.
