What is the use of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)?

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a versatile chemical substance with a wide range of uses. It is widely used in many industries due to its excellent thickening, stabilization, film-forming and suspension properties. CMC is mainly made by partially replacing the hydroxyl groups in natural cellulose with carboxymethyl groups, and has good water solubility and chemical stability.

1. Application in the food industry

In the food industry, CMC is widely used as a thickener, emulsifier, stabilizer and suspending agent. It can improve the texture and taste of the product. For example, in ice cream, CMC can prevent the formation of ice crystals and make the ice cream more delicate and smooth. In foods such as dairy products, jellies, jams, and beverages, CMC can improve viscosity and increase product stability. In addition, CMC is also used in sugar-free foods to help imitate the texture and taste of sugar.

2. Application in medicine and cosmetics

In the pharmaceutical industry, CMC is used as a binder for tablets, a film-forming agent for capsules, and a suspending agent and stabilizer for drugs. For example, CMC can be used as an excipient in tablet production to improve the hardness and disintegration of tablets, and can also adjust the release rate of drugs. In oral liquid drugs, CMC helps maintain a uniform suspension state and ensures that the drug ingredients are evenly distributed.

In the field of cosmetics, CMC is often used in products such as lotions, creams, shampoos, toothpastes, etc. to play a thickening, moisturizing and stabilizing role. Because it is non-irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, CMC is widely used in skin care products to help improve the product's usage experience and application performance.

3. Application in oil drilling

In the oil industry, CMC is used as one of the main components of drilling fluid. Drilling fluid is an important material for maintaining the stability of the well wall, cooling the drill bit and removing cuttings. CMC plays a role in thickening and reducing filtration loss in drilling fluid, which can effectively reduce the leakage of liquid to the well wall, thereby protecting the well wall and avoiding problems such as well collapse. At the same time, CMC can also improve the suspension of drilling fluid, so that cuttings and mud can be better taken out of the wellbore.

4. Application in the textile printing and dyeing industry

In the textile printing and dyeing industry, CMC is widely used in processes such as sizing, printing and sizing. In the sizing process, CMC can improve the strength and wear resistance of the yarn, reduce the breakage rate, and thus improve production efficiency. In the printing process, CMC, as a thickener, can make the dye or pigment evenly coated on the fabric surface, avoid blurring or bleeding of the pattern, and ensure the clarity of the pattern and the stability of the color.

5. Application in the papermaking industry

In the papermaking industry, CMC is used as a sizing agent and reinforcing agent for paper, which can improve the tear strength, folding resistance and surface smoothness of the paper. At the same time, CMC can also improve the printing performance of the paper, make the ink more evenly distributed on the surface of the paper, and improve the quality of the printed product. In addition, CMC is also used to produce special paper, such as filter paper, absorbent paper, etc., to improve the performance of the paper.

6. Application in the ceramic industry

In the ceramic industry, CMC is used as a binder and plasticizer to help improve the formability and strength of the ceramic body. In ceramic glazes, CMC acts as a suspending agent and thickener, which can make the glaze evenly distributed on the surface of the body, avoid defects such as pinholes or sagging on the glaze, and thus improve the appearance quality and performance of ceramic products.

7. Application in daily chemical products

CMC is also widely used in daily chemical products, especially in detergents and personal care products. As an efficient thickener and stabilizer, it can make the viscosity of the product more moderate and more convenient to use. In addition, CMC can also play an anti-redeposition role during the washing process, preventing dirt from reattaching to fabrics or skin, and improving the cleaning effect.

8. Application in the field of environmental protection

The application of CMC in the field of environmental protection is also gradually increasing. For example, it can be used as a flocculant in wastewater treatment to help settle suspended matter and improve water quality. In soil remediation, CMC can be used as a soil conditioner to enhance the water retention and stability of the soil, thereby improving the growth conditions of plants. In addition, CMC can also be used to produce degradable plastics to help reduce plastic pollution.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a multifunctional, efficient and environmentally friendly chemical material, which is highly valued for its wide applications in food, medicine, petroleum, textile, papermaking, ceramics, daily chemicals and environmental protection. With the continuous advancement of technology and changes in market demand, the application field of CMC will be further expanded and play a greater role in various industries.