Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
Carboxymethylcellulose is a cellulose derivative that consists of the cellulose backbone made up of glucopyranose monomers and their hydroxyl groups bound to carboxymethyl groups. It is added in food products as a viscosity modifier or thickener and emulsifier.
It is also one of the most common viscous polymers used in artificial tears, and has shown to be effective in the treatment of aqueous tear-deficient dry eye symptoms and ocular surface staining. The viscous and mucoadhesive properties as well as its anionic charge allow prolonged retention time in the ocular surface. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is the most commonly used salt.
Uses of CMC
Ceramic industry
In the production of ceramic tiles, sodium carboxymethylcellulose is used as particle stabilizer and polisher. This property is very important in the production of ceramics and porcelain, because the property of polishing and shining is one of the main properties required in this industry.
In addition, the use of carboxymethyl cellulose increases the strength and ductility of ceramic and porcelain materials up two to three times.
Dyeing industries
Earlier, we talked about the emulsifying properties of materials and the property of creating a creamy texture in sodium carboxymethylcellulose. In the paint and dying industries, carboxymethylcellulose is used as a viscosity and latex control agent (creating an adhesive elastic state) and uniformity of suspended particles in the paint.
In lithographic printing presses, carboxymethylcellulose is used as a film uniformizer on various surfaces as a hydrophilic compound, and in water-based inks it is also widely used as a thickener.
Textile industry
As previously explained, the property of coordination and water absorption are important properties of carboxymethylcellulose that can be used in the production of various textiles . Sodium carboxymethylcellulose can be used to produce textiles with flax and cotton fibers that are very light in weight and fortunately very resistant to spoilage.
As in the paper and cardboard industries, carboxymethylcellulose is used as a paper abrasion resistant and uniform. The carboxymethylcellulose compound is mostly used as a resistant layer on paper, and sometimes this compound is used to produce glue or starch paste.
Concluding remarks
The functions of sodium carboxymethylcellulose in industry are so great that its explanation can be a little boring. But we should know that it is used in drilling oil wells and reducing filtration wastes, in the production of detergents and soap due to the properties of the floor and the uniformity of the particles.
Other applications of cmc are used in the welding industry for the production of welding and bonding electrodes, in the production of laminated boards, due to their particle suspension properties and increased strength, in the battery industry to increase battery life and durability, in the production of carpets and rugs as Thickens and improves the physical properties of materials and in the leather industry as a gloss and polish for the preparation of pesticides
Carboxyl methylcellulose is also used in extraction for the floating pool stage, in the manufacture of patina and belka to increase the adhesion of these materials to the wall, in the preparation of gel ice due to its emulsifying properties, in the construction industry due to its high water absorption power.
