Cellulose and its basic concepts in cement

Cellulose and its basic concepts in cement

1. Definition of Cellulose
Cellulose is a natural polysaccharide that is widely present in plant cell walls and is one of the most abundant organic compounds on Earth. In the field of construction, commonly used cellulose derivatives are cellulose ethers, including hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). These cellulose ethers have good water solubility, water retention, and thickening properties through chemical modification, making them particularly suitable as modifiers for cement-based materials.

2. Application background of cellulose in cement
Cement based materials (such as mortar and concrete) are prone to problems such as insufficient strength and cracking due to rapid loss of moisture during the hydration process. Cellulose ether, as a polymer additive, can effectively improve these problems, especially in dry mixed mortar where it is widely used. According to data from the China Cellulose Industry Association, the proportion of cellulose ether used in pre mixed mortar has been increasing year by year, and the addition of cellulose ether significantly improves the construction performance and durability of mortar.