HPMC E6

Specification of HPMC E6

What Is the Viscosity of Hpmc E6?

HPMC E6 is a low-viscosity grade cellulose ether widely used in construction materials, pharmaceuticals, and food products. The “E6” designation refers to its viscosity range. The viscosity of Kima Chemical's HPMC (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose) E6 typically ranges between 4.8-7.2 cps, which is ideal for applications requiring excellent water retention, film formation, and moderate thickening.

Application of HPMC E6

KimaCell^® HPMC E6 is widely used in pharmaceutical excipients. The application of HPMC is mainly reflected in the following five aspects:

• As a suspending agent.

  Suspension-type liquid preparation is a commonly used clinical dosage form, which is a heterogeneous dispersion system in which insoluble solid drugs are dispersed in a liquid dispersion medium. The stability of the system determines the quality of the suspension liquid preparation. HPMC colloidal solution can reduce the solid-liquid interfacial tension, reduce the surface free energy of solid particles, and stabilize the heterogeneous dispersion system. It is an excellent suspending agent. HPMC is used as a thickener for eye drops, with a content of 0.45% to 1.0%.

  
  

• As a binder and disintegrant.

  As a binder, HPMC can make the drug easy to wet, and it can expand hundreds of times after absorbing water, so it can significantly improve the dissolution rate or release rate of the tablet. HPMC has strong viscosity, which can enhance the particle viscosity and improve the compressibility of raw materials with crisp or brittle texture. HPMC with low viscosity can be used as binder and disintegrant, and those with high viscosity can only be used as binder.

  
  

• As a sustained and controlled release material for oral preparations.

  HPMC is a commonly used hydrogel matrix material in sustained-release preparations. Low viscosity grade (5-50mPa·s) HPMC can be used as binder, viscosifier and suspending agent, and high-viscosity grade (4000-100000mPa·s) HPMC can be used to prepare mixed material matrix sustained-release tablets, Blocking agent for capsules, hydrogel matrix extended-release tablets. HPMC is soluble in gastrointestinal fluid, has the advantages of good compressibility, good fluidity, strong drug loading capacity, and drug release characteristics not affected by pH. It is an extremely important hydrophilic carrier material in sustained-release preparation systems and is often used as Hydrophilic gel matrix and coating materials for sustained-release preparations, as well as auxiliary materials for gastric floating preparations and sustained-release drug film preparations.

  
  

• As a coating film-forming agent.

  HPMC has good film-forming properties. The film formed by it is uniform, transparent and tough, and it is not easy to stick during production. Especially for drugs that are easy to absorb moisture and are unstable, using it as an isolation layer can greatly improve the stability of the drug and prevent The film changes color. HPMC has a variety of viscosity specifications. If selected properly, the quality and appearance of coated tablets are superior to other materials. The commonly used concentration is 2% to 10%.

  
  

• As capsule material.

  In recent years, with the frequent outbreaks of global animal epidemics, compared with gelatin capsules, vegetable capsules have become the new darling of the pharmaceutical and food industries. Pfizer of the United States has successfully extracted HPMC from natural plants and prepared VcapTM vegetable capsules. Compared with traditional gelatin hollow capsules, vegetable capsules have the advantages of wide adaptability, no risk of cross-linking reactions and high stability. The drug release rate is relatively stable, and individual differences are small. After disintegration in the human body, it is not absorbed and can be excreted The substance is excreted from the body. In terms of storage conditions, after a large number of tests, it is almost not brittle under low humidity conditions, and the properties of the capsule shell are still stable under high humidity conditions, and the indicators of plant capsules are not affected under extreme storage conditions. With people's understanding of plant capsules and the transformation of public medicine concepts at home and abroad, the market demand for plant capsules will grow rapidly.

What Are Differences between HPMC E5 and E6?

HPMC E5 and E6 are both grades of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, a versatile polymer used in various industries.While they share similarities, they differ primarily in their viscosity, leading to distinct applications.

1. Viscosity:

• HPMC E5: This grade is characterized by a lower viscosity, typically ranging from 4 to 6 cps. This lower viscosity makes it suitable for applications where a thinner consistency is desired, such as in coatings and films.

• HPMC E6: This grade exhibits a higher viscosity, generally ranging from 4.8 to 7.2 cps. This increased viscosity makes it ideal for applications that require greater thickening or binding properties, such as in tablet formulations and controlled-release drug delivery systems.

2. Applications

HPMC E5 is typically used in low-viscosity applications like cement-based adhesives, paints, and coatings, where a slight thickening and water retention are needed. On the other hand, HPMC E6 is more suitable for medium-viscosity systems such as tile adhesives, plaster, pharmaceuticals, and food products. E6 offers better control over viscosity and gel formation, making it ideal for applications requiring thicker, more stable formulations.

3. Water Retention

Due to its higher viscosity, HPMC E6 provides superior water retention properties compared to HPMC E5. This makes E6 especially effective in applications like mortar and plaster, where prolonged hydration is necessary. The higher water retention also enhances workability, adhesion, and consistency in the final product. In contrast, HPMC E5 retains less water, making it suitable for applications where quick drying or less water retention is needed.

4. Thickening Power

HPMC E6 has stronger thickening power due to its higher molecular weight, making it more effective in stabilizing emulsions and suspensions. It is commonly used when a medium level of viscosity is required to achieve a smooth texture without excessive thickening. HPMC E5, with a lower molecular weight, provides milder thickening effects, ideal for formulations where only slight viscosity adjustments are needed, such as in paint or adhesive formulations.

5. Film Formation and Surface Characteristics

HPMC E6 forms a thicker, more uniform film compared to E5, which is beneficial for applications that require better surface smoothness and integrity, such as in pharmaceutical coatings or cosmetics. The thicker film provided by E6 ensures a longer-lasting barrier and enhanced texture. In contrast, E5 is often used where a thinner, more flexible film is required, providing a less pronounced surface effect.