Pro 250-42a Aqualon Ec

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AQUALON
Ethylcellulose (EC)
Physical
and
Chemical
Properties
AQUALON EC
A Specialty Polymer With Broad Stability and Compatibility
CONTENTS
PAGE
COMPOSITION OF ETHYLCELLULOSE
TYPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
FDA STATUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS
Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flexibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flammability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Softening Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Solubility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stability to Chemicals . . . . . . . . . .
Stability to Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stability to Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stability to Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermoplasticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Toughness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
(EFFECTS OF ETHOXYL CONTENT
AND VISCOSITY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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21
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PLASTICIZERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Water-Sensitive Plasticizers . . . . . . . . .
Oils as Ethylcellulose Plasticizers . . . . .
Gasoline- and Oil-Resistant Plasticizers
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SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS
LACQUERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hard Lacquers for Rigid Surfaces
Tough Lacquer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bronzing Lacquer . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lacquer for Polystyrene Plastic . .
Lacquer for Rubber . . . . . . . . . . .
Specialty Wood Finishes . . . . . . .
Water-White Wood Finish . . . . . .
Alkali-Resistant Lacquer . . . . . . .
Paper Lacquers . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flowback High-Gloss Lacquer . . .
Solvent-Based Strip Coatings . . .
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INKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Screen-Process Inks . . . . . . . .
Magnetic Inks . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gravure and Flexographic Inks
BLENDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
How to Use the Blending Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Limitations of Blending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SOLVENTS AND SOLUBILITY . . . .

Solubility Parameters . . . . . . . . .
Effects of Ethoxyl Content . . . . . .
Solvents for N-Type . . . . . . . . . . .
Effects of Alcohols . . . . . . . . . . .
Dilution With Petroleum Thinners .
Rule 442Exempt Solvents . . . .
Economy Through Solvent Choice
Effects of Solvent Composition on
Film Properties . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gasoline Resistance . . . . . . . . . .
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EMULSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
VISCOSITY-CONCENTRATION
RELATIONSHIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
FORMULATION
STABILIZATION OF ETHYLCELLULOSE
Hot-Melts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clear Films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RESINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effects of Ethoxyl Content . . . . . . . . . . .
Compatibility With N-Type Ethylcellulose
Compatibility With K-Type Ethylcellulose
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VARNISHES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
ADHESIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
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HOT-MELT APPLICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
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FILM AND FOIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
CASTING PLASTICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
PIGMENT-GRINDING BASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
PLASTICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
FOOD CONTACT AND PHARMACEUTICALS
TabletsCoatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TabletsBinding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Encapsulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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APPENDIX
PRODUCT LISTING SUPPLEMENT . . . . . . . . . . 31
. . . . . . . . . . 19
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METHODS OF ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
PRODUCT SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Aqualon, 2002.
AQUALON EC
A Specialty Polymer
With Broad Stability and Compatibility
Ethylcellulose is a cellulose ether distinguished by its versatility. It is very tough, soluble in a wide range of solvents,
and flexible at low temperatures. Ethylcellulose can be formulated into lacquers, varnishes, inks, films, foils, adhesives, and plastics, and for food contact, animal feeds, and
pharmaceutical goods.
Ethylcellulose is also characterized by low flammability and

resistance to discoloration in sunlight. Ethylcellulose toughens,
hardens, and reduces or even eliminates the surface tack of
compositions in which it is compatible.
Ethylcellulose is a cellulose ether made by the reaction

of ethyl chloride with alkali cellulose, as expressed by the
reaction: RONa + C2H5CI ROC2H5 + NaCI, where R
represents the cellulose radical.
TYPES
Aqualon ethylcellulose is available in four ethoxyl types.
These are listed in Table I, along with their degree
of substitution.
The structure that is most widely accepted for the cellulose

molecule is a chain of anhydroglucose units joined together by acetal linkages. This is indicated in Figure 1a.
These long, oxygen-linked anhydroglucose-unit chains have
great strength, which is passed on to cellulose derivatives
such as nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, and ethylcellulose.
The properties of flexibility and toughness in these derivatives are directly attributable to this long-chain structure.
Each of these ethoxyl types is subdivided into viscosity

types, as indicated in Table II. The viscosity designation indicates the nominal viscosity in centipoises for a 5% weight
concentration in the Standard Viscosity Solvent. (See footnote (b), Table II.) For example, K100 ethylcellulose would
refer to K-type of 45.0-47.2% ethoxyl content, and a viscosity of 100 cps in 5% solution. Thus, ethoxyl and viscosity
types can be readily specified as K100, N7, T200, and
so forth.
From Figure 1a., it is seen that each anhydroglucose unit

has three replaceable OH groups, all or part of which may
react as indicated in the reaction cited earlier. Complete substitution of all three groups would give the triethyl ether possessing a substitution value of 3, or 54.88% ethoxyl, which is
illustrated in Figure 1b.
TABLE IETHOXYL TYPES
The completely substituted triethylcellulose has no commercial significance, however, because it lacks strength and flexibility, is not thermoplastic, and shows extremely limited
compatibility and solubility. The commercial product, which
exhibits the remarkable combination of useful properties
cited in the introductory paragraphs, has a substitution value
between 2.25 and 2.60 ethoxyl groups per anhydroglucose
unit, or 44-52% ethoxyl content.
Type
K-type
N-type
T-type
X-type
Ethoxyl
Content, %
Degree of Substitution
of Ethoxyl Groups per
Anhydroglucose Unit
45.0-47.2
48.0-49.5
49.6-51.5
50.5-52.5
2.22-2.41
2.46-2.58
2.58-2.73
2.65-2.81
FIGURE 1
H
HO
H
OH
CH2OH
OH
H
H
OH
OH
OH
H
OH
CH2OH
OH
-2
CH2OH
Figure 1a. Structural Formula of Cellulose
H
HO
H
OC2H5
OC2H5
H
H
O
CH2OC2H5
CH2OC2H5
H
H
O
OC2H5
OC2H5
O
O
H
OC2H5
H
H
OC2H5
-2
Figure 1b. Structural Formula of Ethylcellulose With Complete (54.88%) Ethoxyl Substitution
3
H
O
CH2OC2H5
H
OH
FDA STATUS
tablet form, gum, and confectionery; inks for

marking fruits and vegetables; diluents in
color additive mixtures for coloring shell eggs
Aqualon K-, N-, and T-types of ethylcellulose(1) are in

compliance with requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for use in food and food-contact applications.
These requirements are specified in the Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 21, subject to the limitations and requirements of each regulation under the following Sections:
175.105
Adhesives
175.300
Resinous and polymeric coatings
175.390
Zinc-silicon dioxide matrix coatings
176.170
Components of paper and paperboard in

contact with aqueous and fatty foods
176.180
Components of paper and paperboard in

contact with dry food
172.868
Ethylcellulosefor use as a binder and filler

in dry vitamin preparations, as a component
of protective coatings for vitamin and mineral
tablets, and as a fixative in flavoring compounds
The available types of NF ethylcellulose are:
182.90
Substances migrating to food from paper and

paperboard productsethylcellulose
573.420
Binder or filler in dry vitamin preparations to

be incorporated into animal feed
NF Type
plastic-peel-stabilized N100PP and N50S types.
In addition to the foregoing, the special NF drug grade of

N-type ethylcellulose meets other code requirements, allowing it to be used in other food contact and in pharmaceutical
applications. These requirements are specified in the Code of
Federal Regulations, Title 21, subject to the limitations and
requirements of each regulation under the following Sections:
73.1(b)
Diluents in color additive mixtures for drug

use exempt from certification: ingested drugs;
inks for branding pharmaceutical forms; externally applied drugs
Ethylcellulose NF types also meet monograph requirements

in the National Formulary, current edition, and the United
States Food Chemicals Codex for Ethylcellulose. Ethylcellulose is included in the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance
Associations (CTFA) cosmetic ingredients dictionary.
177.1210 Closures with sealing gaskets for food

containers
(1)Except
73.1001
Viscosity(d) Range, cps
N7
5.6 to 8.0
N10
8.0 to 11
N14
12 to 16
N22
18 to 24
N50
40 to 52
N100
80 to 105
(d)Determined
using 5% ethylcellulose in 80 parts toluene: 20 parts

ethanol by weight.
Diluents in color additive mixtures for marking

food: inks for marking food supplements in
(See section on Food Contact and Pharmaceuticals for additional details.)
TABLE IIETHOXYL AND VISCOSITY TYPES OF AQUALON ETHYLCELLULOSE

Ethoxyl Types
( refers to types now produced)(a)
K
N
T
X
45.0-47.2% 48.0-49.5% 49.6-51.5% 50.5-52.5%
Ethoxyl
Ethoxyl
Ethoxyl
Ethoxyl
(c)
*
*
(a)Blanks
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Viscosity Types(b)
(Viscosity on all types run at 5% concentration by weight and 25C.)
Designation, cps
4
7
10
14
22
50
100
200
300
Limits, cps
3.0-5.5
5.6-8.0
8.0-11
12-16
18-24
40-52
80-105
150-250
250-350
in the table indicate no demand at present for the particular type. However, this does not mean that these types cannot be produced.
is determined in 80:20 toluene:ethanol by weight on a sample dried 30 min at 100C. (See ASTM D 914.)
(c)Viscosity is 18-35 cps.
Note: Ethanol in this booklet refers to specially denatured (S.D.) ethyl alcohol, 2B, 190 proof.
(b)Viscosity
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS
impact resistance at low temperatures, in furniture lacquers

for prevention of cold-checking, in fabric coatings for good
flexibility and cold-crack resistance at low temperatures, and
in hot-melt compositions and plastics for sustained toughening action after compounding.
The outstanding physical and chemical properties that distinguish Aqualon ethylcellulose, together with some of its indicated uses, are described briefly in the paragraphs that follow.
Color
Ethylcellulose is practically colorless, and retains this condition under a wide range of uses. Neither sunlight nor ultraviolet light affects the color. Accurate color control through
the use of dyes and pigments is readily attained in protective
coatings, plastics, and other compositions where close color
control is often important.
Flammability
Ethylcellulose flammability is of as low an order as that of
any other cellulosic material. If it is held in an open flame, it
will catch fire and burn, but its formulations can be made fire
resistant by proper choice of plasticizer and other flameproofing agents.
Softening Point
The softening point (156C) of ethylcellulose is relatively low
and, if desired, can be made even lower by proper adjustment
of plasticizers. These factors permit ease of working and
application, as in hot-melt application of adhesives, calendar
application on cloth, and in injection and extrusion plastics.
Compatibility
Ethylcellulose is compatible with an unusually wide range of
resins and plasticizers, including oils and waxes. This wide
range of compatibility makes it easy to develop economical
formulations in the great variety of uses to which it is adaptable. Small additions of ethylcellulose to waxes toughen their
texture and raise their melting point. In varnishes, its use
reduces tackiness and increases drying rate.
Solubility
Ethylcellulose is soluble in a wide variety of solvents, thus
making it easy to formulate this versatile material for any
purpose where solvent application is desirable. Among the
useful solvents are the esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, and chlorinated solvents. Inexpensive solvent
combinations can be used with ethylcellulose. Among the
most generally useful combinations are 70-90% aromatic
hydrocarbons or synthetic aromatics (dehydrogenated naphthenes and cyclicized hydrocarbons of varied kauri-butanol
values, depending on grade and manufacturer) with 30-10%
alcohols. Although such combinations are relatively low in
cost, they can be made even more economical by the addition of petroleum distillates such as heptane or VM&P naphtha. In some cases, as much as 50% of the total solvent can
be replaced with such low-priced mineral spirits.
It is quite useful in printing inks. Plastics with rigid or soft

properties can be readily formulated.
Density
The low density of ethylcellulose makes it possible to get
greater coverage and greater volume per unit weight than
with the other cellulose derivatives. For example, it has
about 45% greater coverage than nitrocellulose and 20%
greater coverage than cellulose acetate in coatings and
adhesives of similar weight composition. In plastics, film, and
foil, the low density of ethylcellulose gives the same corresponding advantages of greater volume for a given weight.
Lacquers are generally formulated with N4, N7, and N10
types, where a minimum viscosity is desired for a maximum
solids content. Higher viscosities would be used, however,
for maximum toughness.
Stability to Chemicals
Of all cellulose derivatives, none is more stable to chemicals
than ethylcellulose. It is resistant to alkalies, both dilute and
concentrated, and to salt solutions.
Electrical Properties
The excellent electrical properties of ethylcellulose, combined with its good thermal stability and outstanding flexibility and toughness, led to its early and continued use in cable
lacquers, where conditions requiring these properties are
encountered. It also has been used in plastics for electrical
insulation for many purposes.
Ethylcellulose is more sensitive to acidic materials than are

cellulose esters; however, lacquer coatings satisfactorily
withstand the action of dilute acids for limited exposure
periods. It is resistant to oxygen under high pressures at
room temperature for extended periods of time, and to an
ozonized atmosphere for one to two weeks with no detectable
trace of degradation. Oxygen at temperatures above the
softening point of ethylcellulose has a marked degrading
effect unless the compositions are stabilized with antioxidants.
Flexibility
The great flexibility of ethylcellulose over a wide range of
temperatures is one of its most marked characteristics. Its
retention of flexibility at very low temperatures is especially
notable, for many compositions remain flexible even at
70C. Ethylcellulose also retains a large measure of its
initial flexibility, even after long exposure to temperatures
approaching its softening point (156C).
Stability to Water
The types of ethylcellulose discussed here are not affected
by water. It takes up very little water from moist air or during immersion, and that small amount evaporates readily,
leaving the ethylcellulose unaltered. Dimensional stability,
which is related to water absorption, is unusually good. This
property can be especially valuable in many applications
of ethylcellulose.
This flexibility is carried over into many compositions, such

as protective coatings, adhesives, foil, and plastics. It is a
property that is desirable, for example, in plastics for high
Stability to Light
Light, visible or ultraviolet, has no discoloring action on ethylcellulose. Clear films transmit practically all the visible light
of the spectrum and varying amounts of ultraviolet light,
depending on the stabilizers and plasticizers used in formulation. Figure 2 shows the ultraviolet absorption characteristics of ethylcellulose: (a) the effect of film thickness on
absorption, and (b) the effect of certain stabilizers known to
reduce the embrittling effect of ultraviolet light on ethylcellulose. (See Stabilization of Ethylcellulose, page 13.)
FIGURE 2
ULTRAVIOLET ABSORPTION STUDY OF
ETHYLCELLULOSE FILMS
Light Transmission, %
100
Ethylcellulose, because of its light transmission, together

with its flexibility, great toughness, and chemical resistance,
is an unusual material when properly used in protective
films. Such films can be applied from solution, from hot-melt,
by calendering, or by lamination.
Stability to Heat
Application of heat up to its softening point has little effect
on ethylcellulose. At higher temperatures, embrittlement and
discoloration may occur unless the ethylcellulose is protected by antioxidants. Acidic materials such as high-acidnumber resins have a degrading effect on ethylcellulose,
particularly at elevated temperatures, and thus should not be
used in plastics, in adhesives, or in other hot-melt applications of ethylcellulose.
Ethylcellulose Film,
2 mils Thick
80
60
40
20
Ethylcellulose,
10 mils Thick
0
220
260
300
340
380
Wavelength, m
a. Effect of ethylcellulose film thickness on light transmission.
When properly formulated and stabilized, ethylcellulose

compositions have remarkably good resistance to high temperatures, so plastic compounding, molding operations, and
hot-melt compounding and application can be carried out
without degrading the ethylcellulose. Similarly, this resistance
to heat makes ethylcellulose useful in formulations subject
to heat, as in lacquers for electric cable. See page 13 for
a discussion of modifiers contributing to the heat stability
of ethylcellulose.
Light Transmission, %
100
Taste
Ethylcellulose has no taste. It has been used as a coating for
paper, film, and foil in contact with food. (See section on
Food Contact and Pharmaceuticals.) Plastic uses also are
possible in the food-packaging field.
80
Ethylcellulose Film
60
Ethylcellulose
With 1% Ionol
40
20
0
220
260
300
340
Ethylcellulose
With 0.5%
Each of Ionol
and Uvinul 400
380
Wavelength, m
Thermoplasticity
Ethylcellulose possesses excellent plastic flow characteristics; it is possible to process plastics completely in heated
Banbury mixers or on heated two-roll mills without the aid of
volatile solvents, thus making compounding more economical. This characteristic is essential for injection, extrusion,
lamination, and calendering operations, as well as for hotmelt compounding and application of adhesives, paper coatings, and casting plastics.
b. Examples of how ultraviolet light stabilizers can affect light transmission of

ethylcellulose film. All films were 3 mils thick.
Toughness
The high tensile strength of ethylcellulose is worthy of note.
Combined with its excellent flexibility over a wide temperature range, this results in unusual toughness. Toughness, at
high and low temperatures, is one of the most useful qualities of ethylcellulose. In this respect, it has marked advantages over synthetic resins. It is superior in this property to
other cellulose derivatives. The toughening action that ethylcellulose imparts can be of fundamental importance for protective coatings, plastics, and adhesives.
6
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (EFFECTS OF

ETHOXYL CONTENT AND VISCOSITY)
Softening Point, C
190
Conversely, there are certain other properties such as tensile strength, elongation, and flexibility that are not greatly
affected by the degree of substitution, but depend largely
on the degree of polymerization, which can be measured
by viscosity. Table III (page 8) presents data on the tensile
strength, elongation, and flexibility of various viscosity
grades of N-type ethylcellulose. Figure 4 shows these
data in graphic form.
180
170
160
150
140
42
It will be seen that there is a marked leveling off of the

curves (Figure 4) for tensile strength and elongation
between N50 and N100 types. This means that very little
additional tensile strength or elongation can be gained by
using viscosity types higher than about N100. On the other
hand, there is no break in the flexibility curve within the
range shown to indicate what the ultimate folding endurance
of ethylcellulose might be.
Moisture
Absorption(e)
Softening
Point
Hardness, Shore
5 110
Moisture Absorption at 19C
and 70% Relative Humidity
As in the case of the other cellulose derivatives, there are

certain properties of ethylcellulose that depend somewhat
on the degree of substitution (ethoxyl content). For example,
the effect of substitution on softening point, hardness, water
absorption, solubility in ethanol, and solubility in 80:20
tolune:ethanol is given in Figure 3. The effect of substitution
on solubility in different solvents is discussed at length later.
Range of Ethanol Solubility

Range of 80:20 Toluene:Ethanol Solubility
4 105
3 100
2 95
1 90
Shore Hardness, R Scale
FIGURE 3
THE EFFECT OF SUBSTITUTION ON PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES OF ETHYLCELLULOSE
0 85
43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51
Ethoxyl of Ethylcellulose (50-cps Type), %
(e)
The moisture absorption of ethylcellulose decreases as the ethoxyl content increases over the 43-51% range. Within this same range, softening
point and hardness are at a minimum at 48% ethoxyl content. Ethanol
dissolves ethylcellulose at 45-49% ethoxyl, while a mixture of 80:20
toluene:ethanol is a solvent for the product over the 43-51% ethoxyl range.
The softening point of unplasticized ethylcellulose is not

greatly affected by the viscosity.
Within the substitution range offered, N-type ethylcellulose
(48.0-49.5% ethoxyl content) meets most requirements and
is usually specified because it exhibits the most generally
useful combination of properties. The other types are
selected when special requirements must be met. For
instance, K-type is usually selected for special uses requiring harder, higher melting compositions having better resistance to certain solvents and oils. K-type should be selected
for injection molding because it can be injected without surfacelamination or similar mold defects, and yields plastics of better resistance to distortion under heat. K-type is used where
oil- and gasoline-resistance is important. T- and X-types are
useful where extreme dilution with straight-chain hydrocarbon solvents is desirable, and where maximum water resistance is important.
FIGURE 4
TENSILE STRENGTH AND ELONGATION
Tensile
Strength
MIT
Folds
40
30
2,000
Elongation
1,600
1,200
20
800
10
400
Flexibility, MIT Double Folds
The physical properties of N-type ethylcellulose are presented in Table IV. A study of these data will show this material to be unusual in many respects.
Elongation at Rupture, %
Tensile Strength, lbs/in.2
2,400
11,000
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
4 6 810 20 30 50 100
300
5 79
40
200
Viscosity(f) of N-Type Ethylcellulose (Log Scale), cps
(f)
Viscosity of ethylcellulose has a marked effect on flexibility over the entire

range studied. Also, viscosity has a marked effect on tensile strength and
elongation up to 50 to 100 cps, at which zone there is a noticeable leveling off in effect.
TABLE IIIEFFECTS OF VISCOSITY ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF N-TYPE ETHYLCELLULOSE(g)

Viscosity(h)
Centipoises
in 5% Solution
8
9
13
24
43
94
184
Intrinsic
(), dL/g(i)
0.73
0.79
1.04
1.40
1.70
2.16
2.53
Tensile
Strength
lbs/in.2
6,800
7,000
7,300
8,100
9,500
10,400
10,500
Elongation
at Rupture, %
10
14
19
28
32
35
35
Flexibility,
MIT
Double Folds
160
200
330
595
1,000
1,480
2,020
(g)Films
0.003 in. thick were cast from solution in 80:20 toluene:ethanol, dried 16 hrs at 70C, conditioned 48 hrs at 70F and 65% relative humidity, and tested.
was 80:20 toluene:ethanol. (All solvent values in this book are in terms of wt%.)
(i)These intrinsic viscosity values are appropriate. They were obtained by measuring the relative viscosities at several concentrations, calculating the reduced
viscosities, and extrapolating to zero concentration, using the Martin equation, log10sp/c=log[] + k []c, where c is concentration in g/dL in a solvent of 80:20
toluene:ethanol.
(h)Solvent
VISCOSITY-CONCENTRATION
RELATIONSHIPS
Blends can be calculated directly from this equation.

However, it is more convenient to use the blending chart
(Figure 7, page 12). With this chart, it is possible to determine, without calculation, the percentage of any two ethylcelluloses of different viscosities that must be blended to
secure a desired intermediate viscosity. Likewise, it is possible to determine the viscosity that will result from making
any blend.
Typical viscosity-concentration curves for N-type ethylcellulose are shown in Figure 5 (page 10). These curves should
prove useful in the control of the viscosity of solutions since
they show the viscosity concentration for the different viscosity types of N-type ethylcellulose. From this chart, one
observes how the viscosity of the solution of a given type
varies when the concentration of ethylcellulose is changed. It
also shows how the viscosity of a given solution changes if a
different viscosity type of ethylcellulose is substituted in the
same concentration. This same viscosity-concentration relationship holds for other ethoxyl types of ethylcellulose.
This chart is set up on semilogarithmic plotting paper

marked off so that the divisions on the horizontal axis represent percentages from 0 to 100, while the divisions on the
vertical axis represent viscosity in centipoises from 2 to 500
for standard 5% solutions of ethylcellulose as indicated in
Table II (page 4). The position of each of the standard viscosity grades is shown on the chart.
A comparison of the viscosity-concentration relationships for

the low-viscosity lacquer types of N-type ethylcellulose and
nitrocellulose is given in Figure 6 (page 11).
How to Use the Blending Chart

The exact procedure can be described most easily by the
use of specific examples. Suppose you wish to obtain an
ethylcellulose having a viscosity of 150 cps in a 5% solution,
and the materials available consist of Type 100 (80 to 105
cps with an exact viscosity of 99 cps in 5% solution) and
Type 200 (150 to 250 cps with an exact viscosity of 200 cps
in 5% solution). The diagonal line (corresponding to a
straightedge) connects Type 100 at the 99-cp point, on the
left side of the chart (V1), with Type 200, on the right (V2).
The diagonal intersects the horizontal line corresponding to
150 cps at the vertical line marked 60%, point A.
BLENDING
On occasions when the stock of a certain viscosity type of
ethylcellulose is not on hand, or a use may be developed for
an ethylcellulose of a viscosity differing from any standard
type, it is useful to know that different viscosity types can be
blended to produce a product of the desired viscosity. The
principle of blending is based on the Arrhenius equation,
which relates viscosity and concentration. It can be conveniently expressed as follows:
Log Vs =
This means that 60% of Type 200 and 40% of Type 100
should be mixed to obtain 150-cps ethylcellulose. Similarly,
other blends can be obtained. It is not necessary to draw
lines; merely use a straightedge and read directly. Remember that the percentage read from the diagonal refers to the
ethylcellulose type indicated on the right-hand axis (V2).
n log V1 + (100 n)log V2

100
where Vs = viscosity sought

n = % of first component of blend having a
viscosity V1
V2 = viscosity of second component of blend
All viscosities must be expressed in the same unit.
The chart also can be used to calculate the viscosity that

will result by blending predetermined weights of two viscosity types. Suppose that equal weights of the same Type
100 and the same Type 200, used to illustrate the first
example, were mixed. What would be the viscosity of the
resulting blend?
Limitations of Blending
Certain cautions to be observed in blending should be
pointed out. First, the two viscosity types selected for the
blend should be as close together as possible. If widely
separated viscosity types are blended, there is danger that
the resulting blend may yield a lumpy or granular solution.
Second, different substitution types should not be blended,
because lumpy, granular or even incompatible solutions
can result.
The vertical 50% line intersects the diagonal at point B on

the horizontal viscosity line, designating 140 cps.
TABLE IVPHYSICAL PROPERTIES(j) OF N-TYPE ETHYLCELLULOSE

Bulking density, lbs/gal, in granular form
Bulking value, gal/lb, in solution
Color, Hazen, in solution, ASTM D 365
Discoloration by sunlight
Electrical properties
Dielectric constant at 25C, 1 Mc
Dielectric constant at 25C, 1 kc
Dielectric constant at 25C, 60 cyc
Dielectric strength, V/mil, 10-mil film, ASTM D 149-64, step by step
Power factor at 25C, 1 kc
Power factor at 25C, 60 cyc
Volume resistivity, ohm/cm
Elongation at rupture, %, 3-mil film, conditioned at 77F and 50% RH
Flexibility, folding endurance, MIT double folds, 3-mil film
Hardness index, Sward, 3-mil film
Light transmission, practically complete, nm
Light transmission, better than 50% complete, nm
Moisture absorption, by film in 24 hrs at 80% RH, %
Odor, flake
Refractive index, cast film
Softening point, C
Specific gravity
Specific volume, in.3/lb in solution
Taste
Tensile strength, lbs/in.2, 3-mil film, dry
Tensile strength, wet (% of dry strength)
Water vapor transmission, g/m2/24 hrs, 3-mil film, ASTM E 96. Procedure E
(j)Values
shown are not routinely determined and are not to be construed as sales specifications.
2.6-2.8
0.099-0.104
2-5
Very slight
2.8-3.9
3.0-4.1
2.5-4.0
1,500
0.002-0.02
0.005-0.02
1012-1014
7-30
160-2,000
52-61
310-400
280-310
2
Slight
1.47
152-162
1.14
23.9
None
6,800-10,500
80-85
890
FIGURE 5
VISCOSITY-CONCENTRATION CURVES (WT%) FOR AQUALON N-TYPE ETHYLCELLULOSE (DISSOLVED IN
80:20 TOLUENE:ETHANOL AND MEASURED AT 25 0.1C)
1,000,000
500,000
N200
100,000
N100
50,000
N50
10,000
N22
5,000
N14
Viscosity, cps
N10
N7
1,000
500
100
50
10
5
4
3
2
1
10
12
14
16
18
20
Concentration of Ethylcellulose by Weight
10
22
24
26
28
FIGURE 6
VISCOSITY-CONCENTRATION COMPARISONS FOR AQUALON ETHYLCELLULOSE AND HERCULES RS
NITROCELLULOSE (MEASURED AT 25C)
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
RS nitrocellulose, 1/2-sec
RS nitrocellulose, 1/4-sec
1,000
500
N7 ethylcellulose
N22 ethylcellulose
Viscosity, cps
100
50
10
5
4
3
2
.5
0
10
15
20
Concentration, wt%
Solvents: For ethylcellulose, 4:1 toluene:ethanol.
For nitrocellulose, 3:1 butyl acetate:ethanol.
11
25
30
35
FIGURE 7
ETHYLCELLULOSE BLENDING CHART(k)
500
10
20
30
100
500
400
400
300
40
50
60
70
80
90
300
Viscosity Type 300
250
200
250
200
Viscosity Type 200
150
150
A
Viscosity of V1, cps
100
Viscosity Type 100
80
70
60
50
80
70
60
50
Viscosity Type 50
40
40
30
30
Viscosity Type 22
20
15
20
15
Viscosity Type 14
10
10
Viscosity Type 10
8
7
6
5
4
Viscosity of V2, cps
100
8
7
6
5
4
Viscosity Type 7
Viscosity Type 4
2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2
100
Ethylcellulose V2 in Blend, %
(k)Based
on 5% solutions of N-type in standard 80:20 toluene:ethanol mixed solvent, with viscosities run at 25 0.1C. (V1 and V2 represent the low- and highviscosity types, respectively, to be blended.)
12
FORMULATION
STABILIZATION OF ETHYLCELLULOSE
Clear Films
Outdoor exposures of clear ethylcellulose films show that a
combination of antioxidant, light absorber, and acid acceptor
is more effective than a single stabilizer. As antioxidants,
Pentaphen 67 (para-tert-amylphenol), BHT (2,6-di-tert-butylpara-cresol), and Antioxidant 2246 [2,3-methylene bis (4methyl-6-tert-butyl) phenol] are effective. An example of a
light absorber is 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone. Useful acid
acceptors are epoxy compounds used either as plasticizers
or solely as stabilizers.
Ethylcellulose formulations, if not stabilized, are subject to

oxidative degradation in the presence of sunlight or ultraviolet light and at elevated temperatures, especially above the
softening point of ethylcellulose (156C). Ethylcellulose thus
oxidized becomes brittle, and the surface can become badly
crazed. Discoloration generally occurs during prolonged
exposure at excessive temperatures.
Investigation has shown that the harmful effects of oxidation
can be inhibited for extended periods of time by the use of
antioxidants and by the proper selection of resins, plasticizers, and other modifiers.
Some of the substituted phenols, such as diamyl phenol, are

plasticizers as well as stabilizers, and can be used either
alone or as a component of a mixed plasticizer. Likewise,
some materials ordinarily considered as plasticizers have a
stabilizing effect. Some single or mixed plasticizers that have
been found to contribute stability to ethylcellulose compositions during outdoor exposure are listed in the order of
their effectiveness:
The use of antioxidants is the most effective and generally

the easiest method of inhibiting oxidative degradation. Ethylcellulose compositions that are subjected to high temperatures during compounding or subsequent use and that may
be exposed to ultraviolet light or sunlight should always contain
an antioxidant. Acid acceptors should be added to ethylcellulose formulations containing components such as chlorinated resins and plasticizers, which form acidic degradation
products. Epoxy types are especially useful because of their
excellent capacity to absorb free acids. Stabilizers of these
types should always be incorporated when ethylcellulose is
used in hot-melts, in plastics, and in clear-film applications.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Tricresyl phosphate with diamyl phenol, 70:30.

Tricresyl phosphate with triphenyl phosphate, 70:30.
Tricresyl phosphate with diphenyl phosphate, 70:30.
Diamyl phenol.
Diphenyl phosphate.
Phenyl diglycol carbonate.
Most pigments protect ethylcellulose against degradation during outdoor exposure. In pigmented systems where added
stability is desired, antioxidants are more effective than ultraviolet light absorbers, because light is excluded by the pigment.
Additional studies show that compounds that absorb light

waves in the range of 230 to 340 nm are effective stabilizers
against light-catalyzed oxidation. A typical ultraviolet light
absorber of this type is 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone
(Uvinul 400).
SOLVENTS AND SOLUBILITY
Usually, the addition of one part of antioxidant or a blend

with equal parts of a light absorber or epoxy stabilizer for
each 100 parts of ethylcellulose is sufficient to obtain longterm ethylcellulose stability. Larger quantities of stabilizer
result in very small increased benefits, and as little as
0.25 part will give marked improvement over unstabilized
ethylcellulose compositions.
Solubility Parameters
Solubility parameters provide a convenient method for determining the best solvent or solvent system for a film-former
such as ethylcellulose.
The solubility parameter of a polymer can be established
indirectly from the solubility parameter of solvents that dissolve the polymer. Data on the solubility parameters of
Aqualon ethylcellulose, for three classes of solvents, are
given in Table V. Additional information can be found in CSL204, Solubility Parameter Maps of Aqualon Film-Formers.
Stabilization studies in Aqualon laboratories have shown that

stabilizer activity is often dependent on the type of ethylcellulose composition. Some specific examples:
Hot-Melts
Diamyl phenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-para-cresol (BHT), and octyl
phenol are suitable antioxidants for a satisfactory compromise between color and viscosity retention. Diethyl oxalate
and dibutyl tartrate give good results in hot-melts when used
primarily as color stabilizers during formulation and application. An acid acceptor should be used with the antioxidant to
absorb acidic degradation products caused by the high processing temperature of the melt.
Effects of Ethoxyl Content

The solubility of Aqualon ethylcellulose in organic solvents
merits careful consideration in its extensive application in
lacquers and coating compositions. The effect of substitution
on solubility is illustrated by the data given in Table VI. It will
be seen from this data that there are relatively few single
solvents for the lower substitution types. Solubility in all
classes of organic solvents improves with increased ethoxyl
content until an optimum level is reached within the range
of substitution of the N-, T-, and X-types. Above this level of
substitution, solubility again becomes more restricted, being
limited in the highest levels of substitution to highly nonpolar
compounds such as the aromatic hydrocarbons.
Plastics
Stabilizers effective in hot-melts, such as diamyl and octyl
phenols, are also useful in plastics. Diamyl phenol demonstrates excellent stabilizing action in a heated ethylcellulose
disk test with respect to color and embrittlement.
13
Solvents for N-Type

It was pointed out that the variety of solvents for N-type
ethylcellulose is unusually wide. The solubility of this type in
organic solvents is indicated in Table VII (page 17). It will be
seen that the aliphatic or straight-chain hydrocarbon class is
the only one having essentially no solvent power to dissolve
N-type ethylcellulose. This wide range of solvents greatly simplifies the task of selecting solvents for specific applications.
A comparison of the solubility of ethylcellulose, N22 type,
with RS nitrocellulose, 1/2-sec, is given in Table VIII (page 18).
Effects of Alcohols
Although there are special uses that may require single
solvents, for general use, they are inadvisable. Almost all
ketone, ester, and hydrocarbon solvents for ethylcellulose
can be greatly improved by mixing them with relatively small
quantities of the lower aliphatic alcohols such as ethanol or
butanol. Such binary mixtures are much better solvents for
ethylcellulose than is either component alone, and they have
several advantages.
These binary solvents will completely dissolve a much wider
range of substitution types of ethylcellulose than will single
solvents. For example, toluene alone is a good solvent only
for the range of substitution covered by the T-type. However,
N-type, although soluble, does not always form a good solution in toluene alone, as evidenced by the fact that it is difficult to duplicate the viscosity in successive solutions of the
same concentration, indicating incipient gel formation.
Low degree of substitution types are poorly soluble in toluene
alone. But a solvent combination of 80:20 toluene:ethanol
will completely dissolve all substitutions from 43.4% to 50%.
In general, the quantity of alcohol required with the esters,
ketones, and hydrocarbons to make good binary solvents
increases as the degree of substitution becomes lower. For
example, 90:10 toluene:ethanol is a good solvent for the
N-type, but to obtain comparable results with the K-type and
its ethoxyl content of 46.1%, one would need a ratio of 70:30
toluene:ethanol.
The alcohols are especially valuable in improving the solvent
power of the so-called toluene substitutesproprietary
products derived in many cases by catalytic dehydrogenation of naphthenes and cyclicized hydrocarbons. They are
characterized by having kauri-butanol values between 40
and 70, and alone show considerably poorer solvency for
ethylcellulose than do the aromatic hydrocarbons such
as toluene and xylene. However, the toluene substitutes
become excellent solvents for all substitution types of ethylcellulose when they are mixed in a ratio of 70:30 toluene
substitute:ethanol. Some are better solvents than others; in
general, the higher the kauri-butanol value, the less ethanol
is required to obtain good solvency. Butanol is somewhat
less effective than ethanol in these binary mixtures, which is
reflected by the fact that viscosities at a given concentration
are higher.
14
TABLE VSOLUBILITY PARAMETERS

Class I
(Weakly Hydrogen-Bonded)
Range
Aqualon
K100 ethylcellulose
Class II
Class III
(Moderately Hydrogen-Bonded) (Strongly Hydrogen-Bonded)
Midpoint
Insoluble
Range
Midpoint
Range
Midpoint
8.5-10.8
9.6
9.5-11.4
10.4
Aqualon
N22 ethylcellulose
8.1-11.1
9.6
7.4-11.0
9.2
9.5-14.5
12.0
Aqualon
T10 ethylcellulose
8.5-9.5
9.0
7.8-9.8
8.8
9.5-11.4
10.4
TABLE VISOLUBILITY OF ETHYLCELLULOSE (EFFECTS OF ETHOXYL SUBSTITUTION(1))

Relative Solubility
Solvent Used
K-Type
N-Type
T-Type
X-Type
Toulene
Xylene
80:20 Toluene:Alcohol
gs
gi
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
Ethyl acetate
Butyl acetate
vhs
gs
vhs
vhs
vhs
vhs
vhs
vhs
Acetone
vhs
vhs
vhs
Methanol
Ethanol
Butanol
vhs
hs
i
hs
hs
hs
i
hs
hs
i
hs
hs
Isopropanol (91% by volume)
hs
hs
hs
hs
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether
gs
Ethylene dichloride
Carbon tetrachloride
Methylene chloride
hs
g
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
cs
Key: c = clear; g = gelled mass; h = hazy; i = insoluble, although some particles might be gelled; s = solution; v = very.
(1)Each
test was made at 15% concentration, by weight, of ethylcellulose in the solvent.
Marked reduction in solution viscosity is another advantage

to be gained by using a binary solvent mixture in which one
of the lower aliphatic alcohols is a constituent of the solvent
mixture. This is brought out clearly by the curves in Figure 8.
An evident advantage to be derived from use of a mixed
solvent is the possibility of obtaining more concentrated
solutions without encountering objectionable gelation or
granulation. Control of viscosity in such binary solvents is much
easier because the solutions are less sensitive to small
changes in concentration or temperature. Other advantages
to be gained by using binary solvents containing an alcohol
are improved clarity of solution, freedom from the granulation or gelation encountered when poor or lean solvents are
used, and improved tolerance for petroleum thinners.
progressively better with increased ethoxyl content. Such

dilution, however, is affected not only by the potency of the
active solvent being diluted but also by the degree of substitution of the ethylcellulose. A poor or lean solvent will obviously tolerate less dilution than a rich or active solvent. Table
IX (page 18) shows the effect of substitution on dilution with
VM&P naphtha of the 70:10 toluene:ethanol solvent mixture.
Rule 422Exempt Solvents
Since N-type and T-type ethylcellulose have a high tolerance
for alcohols and aliphatic hydrocarbons, the formulation of
exempt lacquers and inks generally presents no serious
problems. Suggested approaches can be found in CSL-204,
Solubility Parameter Maps for Aqualon Film-Formers.
Suggested acceptable solvent blends can be found
in CSL-173.
Dilution With Petroleum Thinners

The tolerance of ethylcellulose solutions for dilution with
nonsolvent petroleum thinners is unusually good; it becomes
15
Economy Through Solvent Choice

Many ethylcellulose solvent mixtures are relatively inexpensivefor example, mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons with
ethanol and mixtures of the toluene substitutes with ethanol.
These mixtures can be made even more economical by dilution with heptane, VM&P naphtha, or some other petroleum
thinner, using the appropriate boiling range. The degree to
which such dilution can be practiced with true economy will
vary with the concentration of the solution to be diluted.
FIGURE 9
EFFECTS OF SOLVENT COMPOSITION(m)
10,000
5
4
Viscosity (Stormer Viscometer) at 25C, poises
The viscosity data in Figure 9 illustrate graphically the

effects of solvent composition.
Curve 2 in Figure 9 shows that substituting heptane for
33.3% of the toluene in Formula 1 solvent is real economy
because there has been no appreciable change in viscosity,
and solvent cost is appreciably lower. On the other hand,
substitution of heptane for 50% of the alcohol present in
Formula 1 solvent (Curve 3, Figure 9) or for 50% of the alcohol plus 33.3% of the toluene in Formula 1 solvent (Curve 4,
Figure 9), or for 66.7% of the toluene (Curve 5, Figure 9)
results in a marked increase in the viscosity with a necessary lower solids content at any viscosity level, and without
a probably sufficient compensating saving in cost over the
Formula 2 solvent (Curve 2, Figure 9) to represent any real
economy. It can be stated, therefore, that dilution with a
petroleum thinner can be practiced with real economy by
substituting it for a limited quantity of the aromatic hydrocarbon, but not for the alcohol, in a binary solvent.
Viscosity on Horizontal Viscometer, sec
FIGURE 8
ALCOHOL-TOLUENE VISCOSITY CURVES
(5 G OF ETHYLCELLULOSE N-22 IN
95 G SOLVENT)
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
100
(m)In
40
30
Toluene, %
100
10
Solvent Formulas
1. 60:40 Toluene:Ethanol
2. 40:40:20 Toluene:Ethanol:Heptane
30
40
Aqualon N-7 Ethylcellulose, wt%
solvent formulas for ethylcellulose coating compositions, part of the

toluene (up to 3313%, but not as much as 6623%) can be replaced by heptane without causing any appreciable increase in viscosity; similar replacement of the alcohol by heptane causes a much greater viscosity increase
(Curves 1, 4, and 5).
Methanol-toluene
60
3
2
1
1
20
tert-Butyl alcohol-toluene
80
1,000
20
10
When ethylcellulose is dissolved in a binary solvent system composed of

one of the lower alcohols in the proper amount and an aromatic hydrocarbon, viscosity of the solution is greatly lowered, allowing better viscosity
control and the use of more concentrated solutions.
16
TABLE VIISOLUBILITY OF N-TYPE ETHYLCELLULOSE IN REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIC SOLVENTS

(15 G ETHYLCELLULOSE IN 85 ML SOLVENT)
Solvents
Alcohols
Methanol
Ethanol
Propanol
Isopropanol
Butanol
Amyl alcohol
Cyclohexanol
Benzyl alcohol
Diacetone alcohol
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Methylene chloride
Chloroform
Ethylene dichloride
Trichloroethylene
Pentachloroethane
Esters
Methyl acetate
Ethyl acetate
Propyl acetate
Isopropyl acetate
Butyl acetate
Amyl acetate
Methyl Cellosolve acetate
Cellosolve acetate
Glycol diacetate
Benzyl acetate
Cyclohexyl acetate
Methyl formate
Ethyl formate
Ethyl lactate
Butyl lactate
Ethers
Ethyl ether
Methyl Cellosolve
Cellosolve
Butyl Cellosolve
Carbitol
Solubility
Solvents
Hydrocarbons
Toluene
Xylene
Hi-Flash naphtha
Cyclohexane
Tetralin
Dipentene No. 122
Turpentine
Aromatic petroleum distillates
dehydrogenated naphthenes and
cyclicized hydrocarbons
Petroleum ether
Hexane
VM&P naphtha
Varsol
Ketones
Acetone
Methyl ethyl ketone
Dipropyl ketone
Hexone
Cyclohexanone
Methyl cyclohexanone
Miscellaneous Solvents
Dichloroethyl ether
Dioxane
Pine oil
Mixed Solvents
80:20 Toluene:ethanol(n)
80:20 Xylene-butanol(n)
6623:3313 Ether:ethanol
15:1 Ethanol:camphor
70:30 Turpentine:butanol
70:30 Dipentene No. 122 to butanol
70:30 Aromatic petroleum distillates
(dehydrogenated naphthenes and
cyclicized hydrocarbons:butanol)
Nitroparaffins
1-Nitropropane
2-Nitropropane
Nitroethane
Nitromethane
s
s
s
sw
s
s
ps
s
sw
s
s
s
s
ps
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
ps
s
ps
s
s
s
s
s
ps
s
s
sw
Key: i = insoluble; ps = partly soluble, but contains gel and granulation; s = soluble (films obtained from these solutions were clear,
although some might appear slightly hazy to others); sw =
swollen, but granules not merged into cohesive gel.
(n)These
solvent mixtures are the most generally useful because they

combine good clarity with low viscosity and are economical.
17
Solubility
s
s
ps
ps
s
ps
sw
ps
i
i
i
i
s
s
ps
s
s
s
ps
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
ps
i
TABLE VIIISOLUBILITY OF AQUALON N22 ETHYLCELLULOSECOMPARISON WITH

RS NITROCELLULOSE, 1/2-SEC
N22
RS Nitrocellulose,
Solvents
Ethylcellulose
1/2-sec
Methanol
s
s
Ethanol
s
i
Butanol
s
i
Cyclohexanol
ps
i
Diacetone alcohol
sw
s
Methylene chloride
s
i
Ethylene dichloride
s
i
Chloroform
s
i
s
i
Pentachloroethane
s
i
Methyl acetate
s
s
Ethyl acetate
s
s
Butyl acetate
s
s
Ethyl lactate
s
s
Butyl lactate
s
s
Methyl Cellosolve
acetate
s
s
Cellosolve acetate
s
s
N22
RS Nitrocellulose,
Solvents
Ethylcellulose
1/2-sec
Ethyl ether
s
tr
Dioxane
s
s
Methyl Cellosolve
s
s
Cellosolve
s
s
Toluene
s
i
Xylene
s
i
Dipentene No. 122
ps
i
Turpentine
sw
i
Hexane
i
i
VM&P naphtha
i
i
Acetone
s
s
Methyl ethyl ketone
s
s
Cyclohexanone
s
s
1:15 Camphor:ethanol
s
s
2:1 Ethyl
ether:ethanol
s
s
80:20 Toluene:ethanol
s
i
70:30 Xylene:ethanol
s
i
90:10 Methylene
chloride:ethanol
s
i
90:10 Ethylene
dichloride:ethanol
s
i
Key: i = insoluble; ps = partly soluble, but contains gel and granulation; s = soluble; sw = swollen, but granules not merged into cohesive gel; tr = particles
become translucent, but not swollen.
TABLE IXTOLERANCE OF LOW-VISCOSITY ETHYLCELLULOSE FOR

PETROLEUM THINNERS (EFFECT OF ETHOXYL SUBSTITUTION)
Solubility
Solvent
Toluene:ethanol:
VM&P naphtha
7:3:90
14:6:80
21:9:70
28:12:60
49:21:30
63:27:10
N-Type
T-Type
X-Type
swollen
swollen
sl. hazy
sl. hazy
v. sl. hazy
clear
swollen
v. sl. hazy
v. sl. hazy
v. sl. hazy
clear
clear
swollen
partly soluble
v. sl. hazy
v. sl. hazy
clear
clear
18
Figure 10 shows that raising the temperature of application

greatly reduces viscosity, thus allowing correspondingly
increased solids concentration at any given viscosity level.
There are many applications where this principle can be
practiced with real economy.
FIGURE 10
TEMPERATURE AND VISCOSITY(o)
10,000
Effects of Solvent Composition on Film Properties

The physical properties of ethylcellulose films depend somewhat on the composition of the solvent from which they are
deposited. Care must be exercised, therefore, in proper
selection of solvents to ensure the preparation of strong,
flexible films. In general, flexible films of maximum tensile
strength are obtained when nonpolar solvents such as
toluene or xylene (which have no affinity for water) or butyl
acetate or methyl isobutyl ketone (which have little affinity
for water) constitute a major portion of the solvent at the
moment the film sets to a gel. Brittle films with relatively
poorer tensile strength usually result when polar solvents
such as acetone or alcohol, which are miscible with water in
all proportions, are present in major amounts at the moment
of gelation.
Viscosity (Stormer Viscometer) at 25C, poises
Solvent
60:40 Toluene:Ethanol
1,000
35C
25C
10
50C
1
20
30
40
Aqualon N7 Ethylcellulose, wt%

(o)The
viscosity of an ethylcellulose solution is lowered by an increase in its

temperature. This allows the application, at the higher temperature, of a
more concentrated solution at a given viscosity.
19
FIGURE 11
EFFECT OF SOLVENT SYSTEM ON FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTH OF ETHYLCELLULOSE FILM
Butanol
40
60
80
20
Ethanol
40
60
80
20
Ethanol
40
60
80
MIT Folding Endurance
1,000
800
800
600
600
400
400
200
200
0
100
0
80
60
40
20
80
Xylene
Tensile Strength
100
1,000
20
Butanol
40
60
60
40
20
80
Toluene
80
20
60
40
20
80
100
Acetone
Ethanol
40
60
80
20
Ethanol
40
60
8,000
8,000
7,000
7,000
6,000
6,000
5,000
5,000
4,000
100
MIT Folding Endurance
20
Tensile Strength
4,000
80
60
40
20
80
Xylene
60
40
Toluene
20
80
60
40
20
Acetone
The charts illustrate how the flexibility and tensile strength of ethylcellulose film can be affected by the composition of the solvent system from which the film is cast.
Best films are generally obtained when the major part of the solvent is nonpolar at the moment the film sets to a gel.
Figure 11 illustrates the effects on tensile strength and flexibility when highly nonpolar solvents are used. It is clearly
evident from these graphs that a suitable solvent mixture
should contain not more than about 30-40% of a low-boiling,
water-miscible solvent such as ethanol or acetone. The
remainder should consist of solvents such as xylene,
toluene, toluene substitute, butyl acetate, or butanol. Water
in relatively small amounts in a solvent mixture is known to
have a pronounced effect on the physical properties of films.
This water either may be present in the solvent initially or
may be introduced into the film solution by condensation
brought about by the rapid rate of cooling during the
drying period.
The foregoing discussion has been based on the supposition

that most applications are carried out under ordinary atmospheric conditions where no control of relative humidity is
exercised. It should be pointed out that strong, flexible films
can be obtained from any good solvent mixture, even though
they are composed wholly of water-miscible solvents, provided care is taken to use anhydrous solvents and to control
the moisture content of the air and the rate of evaporation.
This requires special drying rooms or cabinets equipped with
air-conditioning apparatus.
20
TABLE XGASOLINE RESISTANCE OF ETHYLCELLULOSE FILMS
Types of Ethylcellulose
Plasticizer
Condition of Film(p) After 72-hr

Immersion in Test Solvent
1. K100 (46.1-47.2% ethoxyl)

2. N100 (48.0-49.5% ethoxyl)
3. T100 (49.6-51.5% ethoxyl)
None
None
None
Slight curl
Softened
Gelled and partly dissolved
4. K100
5. K100
6. K100
Paraplex RG-2
Bakers Pale No. 16 castor oil
Dimethoxyethyl phthalate
Badly curled
Soft, curl
Soft, curl, exudation
(p)Film:
60 parts ethylcellulose to 40 parts plasticizer; tests were made in a solvent composed of 60 parts 100-octane gasoline, 5 parts benzene, 15 parts
xylene, and 20 parts toluene.
Gasoline Resistance
There are special uses for ethylcellulose compositions where
wide solubility in solvents and great tolerance for diluents
are not advantageous properties. One such use is in coatings for automotive and aviation ignition cables, where gasoline resistance is an important requisite. Aviation engines, in
particular, are frequently washed with high-test gasoline containing an appreciable amount of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Reference to Table X shows that resistant compositions for
this use can be prepared best by resorting to the use of the
lower-substitution K-type ethylcellulose (which shows the
lowest solubility in aromatic hydrocarbons and tolerates the
least dilution with petroleum thinners) and compounding it
with gasoline-resistant plasticizers.
Effects of Ethoxyl Content

It is seen from Table XI that N-type ethylcellulose, with a
substitution of 48.0-49.5% ethoxyl content, is compatible
with more classes of resins than is any other substitution
range. Compatibility becomes more restricted with both
lower and higher substitution types. These data show that
Aqualon ethylcellulose of all substitution types is compatible
with rosin (which is made up largely of isomeric resin acids)
and Paraplex RG-2. It is further apparent that there are compatible resin types for all ethylcellulose types, from K through
X, thus simplifying the task of the formulator.
Compatibility With N-Type Ethylcellulose
Since N-type ethylcellulose is more generally used than are
other types, compatibility data with a majority of the available
lacquer resins have been obtained with this type. Table XII A.
(page 23) lists resins that have been found to give clear
films with this type in all proportions, up to and including
1:1 resin:ethylcellulose.
Many situations arise where special conditions must be met.

Shown here is one such situation (the need for gasoline
resistance), which was handled by making use of the special
properties peculiar to one type of ethylcellulose. Other situations calling for special properties can also be facilitated by
becoming familiar with the properties of ethylcellulose discussed in this booklet.
Some partially compatible resins produce clear films with

ethylcellulose in proportions up to and including 0.3-0.5:1
resin:ethylcellulose. In higher proportions of resin, incompatibility develops. Table XII B. (page 23) lists resins with such
limited compatibility.
RESINS
In Table XII C. (page 23) are listed resins that failed to give
clear films with ethylcellulose in any proportion tested.
Resins are used as modifying agents in ethylcellulose compositions for many applications. In coating compositions,
they impart hardness, gloss, adhesion, and improved water
resistance. In plastics, they impart hardness, improved water
resistance, and, in some cases, better dimensional stability.
Conversely, ethylcellulose diminishes tack and imparts
toughness to resins. Such beneficial effects, however,
are obtained only when the resin is compatible with
the ethylcellulose.
Table XII data show that N-type ethylcellulose is generally

compatible with resin acids and the glycerol, glycol, and
diethylene glycol esters of resin acids; with varnish-type pure
phenolics of both the oil-soluble and oil-reactive classes;
with rosin-modified phenolics; with many natural resins, several of which were compatible only after heat treatment or
other special treatment such as dewaxing; and with toluenesulfonamide-formaldehyde resins.
21
N-type ethylcellulose shows restricted compatibility with

maleic-modified rosin esters; urea-formaldehyde resins;
coumarone-indene resins; alkyds modified with phenolics,
rosin, or oils; cycloparaffins; and zinc resinates. This restricted compatibility is usually controlled by the degree of
resin modification. For instance, compatibility becomes more
restricted as the percentage of maleate is increased, as the
melting point of the coumarone-indene resins increases, and
with increased zinc content in the zinc resinate. Compatibility
with modified alkyds becomes less restricted with increased
oil or fatty acid modification, or with increased phenolic or
rosin modification.
Compatibility With K-Type Ethylcellulose

K-type ethylcellulose is used in both plastics and protective
coatings because of such special properties as its higher
melting point, special molding characteristics, and restricted
solubility and compatibility. It is interesting, therefore, to consider the resins that can be used to modify this type of ethylcellulose. Table XIII (page 24) gives a list of resins that are
compatible in all proportions, up to and including 1:1
resin:K-type ethylcellulose.
Many urea-formaldehyde and melamine resins show a
restricted compatibility with K-type ethylcellulose, but are of
interest within their limited sphere of compatibility because
they are colorless resins and because they possess thermosetting characteristics.
N-type ethylcellulose is incompatible in all proportions with

all pure alkyds based on glycerol phthalate, and short oil
modifications of such alkyds, acrylates and methacrylates,
polystyrene, polyisobutylenes, and vinyl acetate resins.
The list of resins in Table XIII is incomplete because many of

the resins listed in Table XII are compatible in ethylcellulose,
K-type as well as N-type.
With some specific resins of borderline compatibility, there

may be inconsistencies in compatibility data, depending on
minor variations in the resin from lot to lot or other factors
not strictly controlled. Consequently, it is possible that other
investigators may find discrepancies between their results
and those reported here. However, the table gives an accurate idea of the kinds of resins that are compatible or incompatible with ethylcellulose.
PLASTICIZERS
Ethylcellulose alone yields very tough films of excellent tensile strength, flexibility, and elongation characteristics; yet
such films lack suppleness. Also, ethylcellulose alone softens and flows at too high a temperature to be practical in
molding operations or in other applications requiring good
thermoplasticity. Therefore, plasticizing or softening agents
are added to ethylcellulose to obtain the proper degree
of suppleness, to lower the softening point, and to
improve thermoplasticity.
Note that many resins normally incompatible with ethylcellulose alone can be usefully incorporated into compositions
containing ethylcellulose by employing a mutually compatible
third ingredient to prevent separation, with its resultant dullness or haze. Solvent plasticizers often serve in this capacity. Cellulose nitrate is also effective.
TABLE XIETHYLCELLULOSE-RESIN COMPATIBILITYEFFECTS OF ETHOXYL SUBSTITUTION

Compatibility Data for Different Types of Ethylcellulose
Resin(q)
K-Type
N-Type
T-Type
X-Type
Ester gum 80
Wood rosin
Dewaxed dammar
Aroplaz 1351
Paraplex RG-2
Key: c = compatible; i = incompatible.

(q)Each
resin listed is representative of a general class. Ratio: 1:1 ethylcellulose:resin.
22
TABLE XIICOMPATIBILITY OF RESINS WITH N-TYPE ETHYLCELLULOSE

A. Resins Compatible In All Proportions Up to 1:1 Resin:Ethylcellulose
Natural
Batu, run
Congo, run
Dammar, dewaxed Batavia
Elemi
Kauri
Manila gum, all grades
Mastic gum
Pontianak, run, mixed bold
Rosin, wood
Sandarac
Shellac, dewaxed
Vinsol
Rosin- and Terpene-Base

Abalyn
Abitol E
Cellolyn 21, 102M
Ester gum 8D
Hercolyn D
Lewisol 28
Pentalyn A, H, 830, 856
Pentrex 28
Poly-pale 10 ester
Poly-pale resin
Staybelite
Staybelite 3, 10 ester
Vinsol ester gum
Zinar
Zirex
Zitro
Alkyd
Aroplaz 1271
Paraplex RG-2, RG-8
Coumarone-Indene
Cumar P10, R28
Miscellaneous
Orlon
Piccolastic A-5
Phenolic Resins
Super-Beckacite 1001
B. Resins Compatible In All Proportions Up to 0.3-0.5:1 Resin:Ethylcellulose
Natural
White shellac
Rosin- and Terpene-Base

Uni-Rez 7200
Coumarone-Indene
Cumar R-3, R-11
Miscellaneous
Chlorowax 70(r)
(r)
This resin is compatible at 1:10 resin:ethylcellulose.
C. Resins Incompatible Even at Ratios as Low as 1:10 Resin:Ethylcellulose

Natural
Accroides
Congo Ester No. 10
East India Macassar, pale
East India Singapore, pale
Orange shellac
Urea- and Melamine-Formaldehyde

Beckamine 21-510
Resimene
Uformite MM-55
Miscellaneous
Acryloid C10LV, F10, B72
Dow Corning Fluid 200
Epon 1004
Keltrol
Vinylite VAGH
Alkyd
Beckosol 12-021
Paraplex G-20
Rosin Base
Uni-Rez 7200
Metalyn
Pentalyn G, K
23
The variety of plasticizing agents for ethylcellulose is unusually large, and includes, with two exceptions, all classes of
compounds that have been offered as softening or flexibilizing agents for coatings or plastics. The two exceptions
comprise the heat-bodied vegetable oils and the highly
unsaturated drying oils such as tung, perilla, and
oiticica oils.
TABLE XIIICOMPATIBILITY OF RESINS

WITH K-TYPE ETHYLCELLULOSE
Resins compatible in all proportions,
up to 1:1 resin:ethylcellulose
Boea, run
Cellolyn102M(s)
Paraplex RG-2
Table XIV lists a large number of plasticizing agents compatible with ethylcellulose. Note that the fatty acids derived from
incompatible oils are compatible with ethylcellulose. In general, it has been observed that air-bodying an oil improves
its compatibility over that exhibited by the raw oil.
Wood rosin
Zitro resin
(s)Completely
compatible in all proportions, up to 0.3-0.5:1

resin:ethylcellulose.
TABLE XIVPLASTICIZERS FOUND COMPATIBLE

WITH ETHYLCELLULOSE
Practically all of the compounds listed can be used with

all substitution types of ethylcellulose, from K-type through
T-type. Both vegetable and mineral oils, however, show a
more marked tendency to exude from compositions based
on the lower-substitution K-type; also, solid plasticizers, such
as triphenyl phosphate, tend to crystallize from ethylcellulose
plastics if used in an excessive proportion: they show a
greater tendency to crystallize from K-type compositions
than from the other ethylcellulose types.
Phosphate Esters
Tricresyl phosphate
Triethyl phosphate
Triphenyl phosphate
Phthalate Esters
Benzyl methyl phthalate
Cyclohexyl butyl phthalate
Cyclohexyl ethyl phthalate
Cyclohexyl methyl phthalate
Diamyl phthalate
Dibutyl phthalate
Dicapryl phthalate
Dicyclohexyl phthalate
Diethyl phthalate
Diisobutyl carbinyl phthalate
Diisopropyl phthalate
Dimethyl phthalate
Dinonyl phthalate
Dioctyl phthalate
Diphenyl phthalate(t)
Diethoxyethyl phthalate
Dibutoxyethyl phthalate
Tests for compatibility were made by preparing solutions

containing both ethylcellulose and plasticizer, making
flowouts of the solutions on glass plates, drying them, and
examining the dry films. Strangely enough, in spite of its
wide compatibility, ethylcellulose is actually insoluble at room
temperature in almost all plasticizers. For example, if powdered ethylcellulose is added to a liquid plasticizer such as
dioctyl phthalate, the particles do not even become swollen
at room temperature; at 100C, a solution is formed and the
ethylcellulose remains in solution when the composition is
cooled. In commercial practice, ethylcellulose compositions
are always compounded by a solvent process or by hotmilling or hot-melt procedures. This unusual property of wide
compatibility, along with very limited room-temperature solubility, may explain why ethylcellulose lacquers and plastics
are much more resistant to oils and greases, to plasticizer
migration, and to contaminating influences generally than
one would expect.
Miscellaneous Esters
Abalyn methyl abietate
Acetyl tributyl citrate
Acetyl triethyl citrate
Monoplex DIOA (diisooctyl adipate)
Amyl oleate
Flexricin P-3 (butyl ricinoleate)
Benzyl benzoate
Butyl and glycol esters of fatty acids
Butyl diglycol carbonate
Butyl oleate
Butyl stearate
Di(-methoxyethyl) adipate
Dibutyl sebacate
Dibutyl tartrate
Diisobutyl adipate
Dihexyl adipate
Flexol 3GH [triethylene glycol di(2-ethyl butyrate)]
Tegmer 804 [polyethylene glycol di(2-ethyl hexoate)]
Hercoflex 600 monomeric PE ester
Hercolyn D hydrogenated methyl ester of rosin
Methoxyethyl oleate
Butoxyethyl stearate
Ethylcellulose is somewhat softer than nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate, and therefore requires proportionately less
plasticizer than either of these to attain the desired degree
of softening for any particular purpose. Both cellulose
acetate and nitrocellulose plastics normally require from
30-35% plasticizer by weight for most plastics applications.
Ethylcellulose plastics, on the other hand, normally require
only 15-20% plasticizer to obtain comparable hardness.
Nitrocellulose lacquers frequently contain as much as one
part plasticizer to two parts nitrocellulose. Ethylcellulose lacquers seldom contain more than one part plasticizer to four
parts ethylcellulose at comparable hardness.
(t)Solid
plasticizers that exhibit a tendency to crystallize from the film

when they are used as the sole plasticizing agent.
24
TABLE XIVPLASTICIZERS FOUND COMPATIBLE WITH

ETHYLCELLULOSE (CONTINUED)
Water-Sensitive Plasticizers
Ethylcellulose has been tested and found compatible with
a number of materials that were not included in Table XIV
because their excessive water sensitivity detracts from their
general usefulness. These materials include triethyl citrate,
glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl diacetate, triethylaconitate, triethyl
carballylate, and a number of partially esterified glycol, diethylene glycol, and glycerol compounds made with the higher fatty
acids. Examples of the latter compounds are ethylene glycol
mono-ricinoleate, -laurate, -oleate, and -stearate; and glyceryl
mono- and di-ricinoleates, -laurates, -oleates, and -stearates.
These are mentioned because there may be special uses
where such water-sensitive softening agents could be useful.
Miscellaneous Esters (Continued)

Tributyrin (glycerol tributyrate)
Triethylene glycol dipelargonate
beta-(p-tert-amylphenoxy) ethanol
beta-(p-tert-butylphenoxy) ethanol
beta-(p-tert-butylphenoxyethyl) acetate
Bis(-p-tert-butylphenoxydiethyl) ether
Camphor
Cumar R-3, R-14
Diamyl phthalate
(Diamylphenoxyl) ethanol
Diphenyl oxide
Oils as Ethylcellulose Plasticizers

The oils, both mineral and vegetable, are relatively inexpensive plasticizing agents, and can play a unique and important part in the plasticization of ethylcellulose. Unlike the
high-boiling solvent esters, they possess very little active
solvent action for ethylcellulose unless heated to temperatures approaching the softening point of ethylcellulose. The
oils possess much less softening action on the ethylcellulose
than do the more active high-boiling esters, and they can be
used in the development of compositions requiring a degree
of toughness not possible with the high-boiling esters
because of their excessive softening action.
Amides
Bis(dibutyl) adipamide
Dibutyllauramide
Diethyldiphenylurea
Mineral Oils
Dutrex 25
Gloria white mineral oil
Lubricating oil, practically all grades
Mineral oils, refined
Necton 45
Nujol
Fatty Acids
Linseed
Oleic
Ricinoleic
Stearic
Tung and many others
Refined mineral oil can be cited as one example. It is used

extensively either as the sole plasticizer or as an important
constituent of plasticizer blends in the preparation of extrusion and injection plastics where low water resistance, good
dimensional stability under adverse temperature and humidity conditions, and low-temperature toughness and flexibility
are important requisites. Mineral oils of refined and lubricating grades can be used in amounts up to about 20-23% by
weight in an ethylcellulose composition without excessive
exudation being encountered at ordinary temperatures.
Fatty Alcohols
Cetyl
Myristyl
Stearyl and others
Vegetable Oils
Blown castor oil, Bakers No. 15 and 30, and Pale 4, 16, 1000
Castor oil, raw
Corn oil, raw and air-blown
Cottonseed oil, raw and air-blown
Linseed oil, raw and air-blown
Soybean oil, raw and air-blown
Castor oil is unique among the vegetable oils compatible with

ethylcellulose in that it does not exude from compositions even
when it is present in proportions as high as equal parts of oil
and ethylcellulose. All of the other vegetable oils exude when
present in such high proportions (1:1 ratio). This tendency to
exude is lessened somewhat if the oil is air-blown. Oil blends
containing castor oil, Hercolyn D hydrogenated ester of rosin, or
one of the chemical esters as a component of the blend also
have a reduced tendency to exude. However, vegetable oils,
such as corn, soybean, cottonseed, and linseed, can be incorporated into ethylcellulose compositions up to 30-40% by weight
before objectionable exudation is encountered. Linseed and soybean oils exude less readily than do corn and cottonseed oils.
Miscellaneous Types
Abitol E technical hydroabietyl alcohol
Beckolin
Chlorinated paraffin, 40% chlorine content
Piccolastic A-5
Glycerol alpha-methyl alpha-phenyl ether
Halowax 1013 (chlorinated naphthalene)
HB-40
Monoamylphthalate
Nevillac 10
o-Nitrodiphenyl
It is appropriate at this point to call attention to the toughening type of plasticizers. In addition to the vegetable oils, the
sebacic acid type of alkyd resins and very long oil-extended
alkyds impart suppleness to ethylcellulose plastics with a
minimum effect on softening point and toughness. Various
mixtures of the vegetable oils with these alkyd resins can
also serve as valuable toughening plasticizers that can be
used in proportions as high as 50% by weight of the plastic
without exudation or stickiness. Such compositions form the
basis for cable coatings and calendered coatings.
Table XV gives evaluation data for a number of plasticizerethylcellulose compositions. The compositions consisted of
one part plasticizer to four parts ethylcellulose, with two
ethoxyl types of ethylcellulose, N100 and K100, being
tested. Tensile strength, elongation, and flex life were measured for 5-mil films of each composition.
25
TABLE XVEVALUATION OF PLASTICIZERS IN ETHYLCELLULOSE FILMS (APPROXIMATELY 5 MILS THICK

1:4 PLASTICIZER:ETHYLCELLULOSE)
N100 Ethylcellulose
MIT Flex,
Double Folds
Tensile
Strength,
lbs/in.2
Elongation,
%
2,000
1,400
1,200
5,500
5,000
6,700
45
50
42
Tricresyl phosphate
Aroplaz 1351
Diamyl phthalate
980
910
880
6,400
5,850
6,400
38
66
42
Paraplex RG-2
Bakers Pale No. 16
Diisobutyl carbinyl phthalate
600
600
560
7,150
6,700
6,400
37
35
37
HB-40
beta-(p-tert-butylphenoxy) ethanol
Dutrex 25
Diphenyl phthalate
Pentaphen
520
430
400
400
360
7,200
6,950
6,800
6,200
7,850
32
38
26
39
27
Butyl diglycol carbonate

Piccolastic A-5
Butoxyethyl stearate
145
110
105
2,650
8,200
2,700
13
19
19
Plasticizer
Dibutyl phthalate
Tegmer 804
Raw castor oil
TABLE XVIETHYLCELLULOSE PLASTICIZERS

INSOLUBLE IN PETROLEUM
HYDROCARBONS AND OILS
With the exception of castor oil, all of the compatible vegetable oils form rigid gels with relatively minor amounts (35% by weight) of ethylcellulose. Such gels are prepared as
hot-melt mixtures by dissolving the ethylcellulose in the oil at
about 180 to 200C and then permitting the mixture to cool
to room temperature.
Acetyl triethyl citrate

Bakers Pale No. 16
Benzyl ether of glycerol
Dimethyl phthalate
Diphenyl phthalate
PhosFlex CEF [tri(beta-chloroethyl) phosphate]
Paraplex RG-2 (sebacic alkyd)
Triacetin (glycerol triacetate)
Triethyl citrate
Gasoline- and Oil-Resistant Plasticizers

Earlier in this booklet (page 21), the subject of gasoline
resistance was dealt with in showing how certain problems
could be met by employing special formulations. Table XVI
lists a somewhat more inclusive group of plasticizers resistant to petroleum hydrocarbons and oils.
The number of plasticizing agents possessing these special
properties is sufficiently extensive so that the formulator has
a relatively wide latitude of choice in developing suitable formulations for resistance to petroleum hydrocarbons and oils.
The proper selection of ethylcellulose for such use should be
made from the lower-substitution K-types.
26
SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS
Experience has shown that ethylcellulose can be used in

many ways. A large and growing accumulation of data in
Aqualon laboratories points the way to numerous specific
uses, and those who have tested ethylcellulose are continually finding new applications.
Examples of the varied uses of ethylcellulose lacquers are

as follows:
Hard Lacquers for Rigid Surfaces
Such lacquers will give satisfactory service where a tough,
crack-resistant coating is desired on a rigid surface, even
when it is exposed to the extremes of outdoor temperature.
For such applications, ethylcellulose is modified with hard
resins and plasticizers.
The following brief notes are intended to aid potential users

in more definitely determining where and how ethylcellulose
can fit their needs.
Tough Lacquer
Many lacquer applications on nonrigid surfaces require, as
basic desired properties, toughness, wear resistance, good
adhesion, resistance to discoloration and alkali, and flexibility.
Such properties are required in lacquers for paper, linoleum,
cellophane, surgical tape, wet or dry sandpaper, and lacquers for the decoration of textiles. Properly plasticized and
stabilized ethylcellulose lacquers meet these requirements.
LACQUERS
Satisfactory formulation of ethylcellulose lacquers and their
good performance depend largely on selection of the proper
kind and proportion of modifying agents to meet the requirements of each case.
Ethylcellulose has been found to yield lacquers of excellent
toughness and flexibility. These properties are retained over
a temperature range extending from low to high. Ethylcellulose lacquers, for example, can be formulated to be unusually resistant to cold-checking. Furthermore, they can be
formulated to retain their color extremely well on exposure
to sunlight.
Bronzing Lacquer
Many ethylcellulose compositions are substantially free from
discoloration and gelation in copper and aluminum bronze
lacquers. Resin choice is an important consideration; in an
experimental series, dewaxed dammar developed less color
in the lacquer than other resins tested. Citric acid (1% based
on the ethylcellulose) is an effective stabilizer against the
development of any green color.
Tests and experience indicate that properly formulated ethylcellulose lacquers are as durable as conventional nitrocellulose lacquers, and their specific properties make them a
desirable choice for use over metal, wood, leather, and rubber.
Lacquer for Polystyrene Plastic

The solvent combination is an important factor in any successful coating for polystyrene plastic. In an ethylcellulose
lacquer for this plastic, alcohols must constitute the major
portion of the solvent, although a small amount of an active
solvent for the plastic is desirable to get some bite into the
molded part. A suitable active solvent would be an ester,
ketone, or aromatic hydrocarbon. For further details, see
CSL-61, A Report on Lacquer for Plastics.
In general, the solvent system for ethylcellulose lacquers

consists of 80% aromatic hydrocarbons and 20% alcohols.
The hydrocarbon portion is composed of toluene and xylene
or mixtures of these two materials; the remainder is composed of ethanol, isopropanol, and butanol or mixtures of
these alcohols.
For some coatings applications, such as those on asphalt
tile and polystyrene plastics, it is necessary to use special
solvent combinations instead of the cited mixtures. These
special solvent compositions may give higher viscosities and
somewhat hazy solutions, but the lacquers dry to clear films
and can be used without difficulty if the lower solids necessary with these solvents can be tolerated.
Lacquer for Rubber

Whether the emphasis is on gloss, adhesion, or flexibility,
coatings can be formulated to give the desired properties.
Ethylcellulose lacquers have met these requirements when
applied to either cured or uncured rubber, and yield a finish
with outstanding adhesion and good flexibility.
TABLE XVIIEFFECTS OF RESINS ON SELECTED PROPERTIES OF ETHYLCELLULOSE COMPOSITIONS

Discoloration
by Ultraviolet
Light
Sensitivity
to
Water
Sensitivity
to
5% HCl
Sensitivity
to
5% NaOH
Sward
Hardness
Temperature
Change,
Cycles
Formula
A
B
Formula
A
B
Formula
A
B
Formula
A
B
Formula
A
B
Formula
A
B
Cumar R-29 (coumarone-indene)
vb
vb
sl blis
t bl
Dewaxed Batavia dammar

(natural resin)
v sl
sl
blis
r
v sl bl
v sl r
Composition of Formulas
Ethylcellulose
Resin
A
10
5
B
10
10
OK
v sl t
v v sl r v v sl r
Key: b = bad(ly); bl = blush; blis = blistered; m = moderate; r = rust; sl = slight(ly); t = temporary; v = very.
27
OK
t bl
54
36
47
50
vv
sl r
vv
sl r
82
84
35
Specialty Wood Finishes

Ethylcellulose lacquers containing high proportions of lowcost resins and a small proportion of high-viscosity ethylcellulose are economical, air-drying coatings. Although the films
may be somewhat soft, their flexibility and toughness are
sufficient to make them interesting for applications such as
drawer coatings or backboards for chests.
EMULSIONS
Ethylcellulose emulsions can be formulated for environmental concerns and low cost. Ethylcellulose emulsions were
developed for use as a permanent sizing agent for textiles
to replace starch and various water-soluble gums.
The method of preparation, choice of materials, stability, and
sample formulations are discussed in CSL-76.
Water-White Wood Finish

When ethylcellulose films are exposed to ultraviolet light,
they tend to bleach rather than discolor. This tendency indicates that they have a place in water-white wood finishes.
K-type ethylcellulose without a plasticizer produces a waterwhite composition hard enough to stand some rubbing and
polishing. An 80:20 nitrocellulose:ethylcellulose lacquer also
shows reasonably good color retention.
INKS
Screen-Process Inks
The use of ethylcellulose in screen-process inks has grown
substantially. Ethylcellulose is soluble in organic solvents
that are not injurious to lacquer stencils, and it has wide
compatibility with many resins and plasticizers. Compositions
are usually based on one part by weight of ethylcellulose
and a few parts of plasticizer and resin. A heavy loading of
pigment and inert ingredients is possible.
Alkali-Resistant Lacquer
Because there is an increasing interest in maintenance
paints that have good alkali resistance, work has been done
on the use of stabilized ethylcellulose compositions in this
field. It was found that the use of epoxide-type stabilizers,
plus antioxidants, produces ethylcellulose coatings of very
high alkali resistance.
Magnetic Inks
Because of the high dielectric constant of ethylcellulose, it
can also be used for formulating magnetic inks. These have
unique adhesion and holdout properties.
Ethylcellulose lacquers applied to steel panels were found to

be unaffected after 100 days at room temperature in either a
5% caustic solution or a 1% ammonia atmosphere. A more
spectacular test showed these coatings to be unaffected,
even though they remained immersed in a 70% caustic solution at 76C (170F) for 19 days.
Gravure and Flexographic Inks

Ethylcellulose is being used in both gravure and flexographic
inks. It contributes good scuff resistance, pigment dispersion, and holdout features, and controls viscosity. Compatibility with ink resinates is good. Pigments are easily
incorporated by adding ethylcellulose color chips or flushed
colors, or by any of the usual methods of grinding. Typically,
one to three parts by weight of an N-, T-, or X-type are used.
Paper Lacquers
Because of the varied special properties that ethylcellulose
makes possible in paper lacquers, it is used widely in this
field. Achievable with this material are: light initial color and
good color retention under sunlight and aging exposures,
heat-sealing, good gloss, resistance to blocking, resistance
to heat discoloration, flexibility over a wide range of temperatures, and alkali resistance.
Flexographic inks are commonly formulated with shellac, or

combinations of shellac and hard resins, in alcohol solutions.
Ethylcellulose is added to promote adhesion and toughness
and provide other features, the same as with rotogravure inks.
VARNISHES
Use of ethylcellulose in certain types of varnishes gives
them the inherent toughness and quick-drying properties
associated with the cellulose derivatives. Addition of ethylcellulose to some varnishes shortens drying time appreciably,
increases toughness, reduces the amount of metallic drier
necessary, decreases surface tack, and improves resistance
to rapid temperature changes.
Reconstituted cigar wrappers are flexible, yet tough, when

they are formulated with ethylcellulose.
Flowback High-Gloss Lacquer
Other interesting ethylcellulose lacquers are flowback paper
coatings. These formulations are designed to give especially
high gloss when the coating is reflowed by application of
heat at about 177C (350F) for a few seconds after the lacquer is applied and dried in a normal manner.
There are two different procedures for adding ethylcellulose

to varnishes. The simplest and most foolproof is the coldcut
method. Ethylcellulose is first dissolved in its usual solvent
combination, then added to a varnish that has been thinned
with a solvent rich enough to hold the ethylcellulose in solution. If the varnish contains the usual solvent of mineral spirits or other aliphatic hydrocarbon, the ethylcellulose will
precipitate on being added to the varnish.
Solvent-Based Strip Coatings

In recent years, there has been much interest in temporary
protective coatings that can later be stripped from the surface they protect. The major volume of these coverings has
been deposited from hot-melts, but a growing market is
developing for the solvent-based products.
28
The hot-melt procedure involves the addition of ethylcellulose flake to the hot varnish. Careful temperature control is
necessary to avoid degradation of the ethylcellulose.
TABLE XVIIITYPICAL DATA FOR

ETHYLCELLULOSE HOT-MELT
CASTING PLASTIC
The quantity of ethylcellulose added will control the properties of the coating, but 10%, based on resin and oil, is adequate for most purposes. The type of ethylcellulose can be
either N or T, with the T-type having a slight advantage. The
viscosity can vary from 10 to 200 cps, depending on the
amount of extra bodying desired in the varnish.
Rockwell hardness, M scale

Izod impact, ft-lbs/in. notch
Softening point, ring-and-ball
method, C
Scratch hardness, by pencil
Tensile strength, lbs/in.2
Compressive strength, lbs/in.2
Flexural strength, lbs/in.2
Modulus of elasticity, lbs/in.2
Mold shrinkage, in./in.
Coefficient of expansion,
in./in./C 105
Distortion under heat, C
Specific gravity
Water absorption, % gain after 48
hrs immersion at 21C
ADHESIVES
In adhesives, ethylcellulose contributes:
Low-temperature flexibility.
A broadening of the critical melting range with a resultant decrease in plastic flow.
Strength.
An increase in melting point of the mixture.
A decrease in sweating of plasticizers.
Better control of tackiness in adhesive film.
50-+50
0.5-5.0
130-170
4B-H
1,000-4,000
3,000-10,000
3,000-10,000
100,000-350,000
0.0025-0.015
5-15
28-50
1.08-1.33
0.15-0.75
CASTING PLASTICS
Table XVIII gives typical data obtained on formulations
designed for hot-melt casting applications. Such compositions are composed of resins, plasticizers, waxes, and mineral fillers toughened with ethylcellulose.
Hot-melt adhesives incorporating ethylcellulose have quick

tack while still molten, but harden quickly on cooling.
Furthermore, there is no residual solvent odor or taste.
This type of plastic can be cast in bronze, brass, iron,

aluminum, wood, or plaster molds. Some mold materials,
such as wood and plaster, require a sealer coat. Remarkably
accurate surface reproduction is possible with these hot-melt
plastic castings. They are used for the preparation of dies,
jigs, and tools in the aircraft industry, and hold promise of
wide use in other industrial applications.
Solvent-type ethylcellulose adhesives are useful in places where

ethylcellulose film or plastic must adhere to another surface.
HOT-MELT APPLICATIONS
Hot-melt applications of ethylcellulose have received considerable attention. This is because ethylcellulose is a product
with an unusual combination of properties, which makes it
easily adaptable to this mode of application. It can be made
stable to heat; it has excellent thermoplasticity; it dissolves
readily in many hot resins, plasticizers, oils, and wax mixtures; and of particular interest is the fact that it imparts to
such mixtures a remarkable toughness. Furthermore, all
hot-melt compositions are economical to apply. No volatile
solvents are involved. Application is usually a simple, oneoperation procedure.
PIGMENT-GRINDING BASE
Ethylcellulose has been found to be an excellent base for
pigment grinding. Because of its low melting point, ethylcellulose, plasticized or unplasticized, can be colloided readily
on either the two-roll or the Banbury mill. Plastic thus produced is very tough and sticky while hot, and is well adapted
to pulling apart pigment agglomerates. The high temperatures at which ethylcellulose can be worked without decomposition ensure uniform grinding and dispersion of
pigment particles.
A variety of such compositions is now in use. Some of the

applications are relatively well known and have been in use
for years. Others are new, have interesting possibilities, and
are expanding rapidly. Examples of well-known uses are
shellac substitutes, potting compounds used in electrical
insulation work, and decalcomania transfer compositions
toughened with ethylcellulose. Numerous possibilities exist
for the hot-melt coating of paper with resin and plasticizer
mixes toughened with ethylcellulose.
FILM AND FOIL

In film form, ethylcellulose is well suited in properties and
appearance as a wrapping material and as electrical insulation. Unplasticized film can be produced to have a high
degree of toughness and flexibility. Unplasticized film 0.001
in. thick, for example, can be flexed over 2,000 times on the
MIT fold tester before failure occurs. Even at 70C the film
has a high degree of flexibility. Tensile strength is on the
order of 7,000 to 11,000 lbs/in.2, while elongation runs 1035%. Moisture absorption in highly humid atmospheres runs
to approximately 2%, but has no appreciable effect on the
dimensional stability of the film. In fact, ethylcellulose film is
not noticeably affected even after long immersion in water,
followed by drying.
Compositions based on ethylcellulose can be tailored to specific requirements such as nonblocking, flexibility over a wide
temperature range, high gloss, or pale color. Ethylcellulose
hot-melt strip coatings provide protection during both shipping and storage. Detailed information is available.
29
PLASTICS
Ethylcellulose plastic belongs to the group known as thermoplastic materialsthat is, those that can be shaped by pressure while hot, and that, when cool, retain the impressed
form. A plastic make from ethylcellulose has the usual operating advantages of other thermoplasticsi.e., reuse of
scrap; adaptability to fast, low-cost injection and extrusion
processes; ready workability with hand or machine tools; and
easy finishing.
An outstanding characteristic of ethylcellulose plastic is its
high impact resistance at low temperatures. It has the lowest
specific gravity of any of the cellulosic thermoplastics now
available, and, with the exception of nitrocellulose, it shows
the lowest water pickup of these thermoplastics. This material has the highest alkali resistance and also has fair resistance to acid.
Ethylcellulose plastic easily meets all ordinary requirements
of practical strength properties at temperatures between
57C and 77C (70F and 170F). Use of ethylcellulose
plastic is indicated where hardness, combined with toughness, close dimensional tolerance, ability to hold dimensions
during immersion in water, and high impact strength at low
temperatures, is required.
Military rocket tapes and molded parts can be made from a
premium grade of K-type ethylcellulose. This is a result of a
low ash content, critical to the shelf life of the product.
FOOD CONTACT AND PHARMACEUTICALS

TabletsCoatings
NF-grade ethylcellulose produces durable tablet coatings
that offer good adhesion and function to control the rate at
which the ingested medication is released. Typically, the
tablet is spray-coated from a solvent system.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers also treat products with an
EC-based aqueous polymer dispersion that is spray-coated
onto the tablets, thus avoiding solvent systems that are
sometimes undesirable. In either case, the coating masks
bitter tastes and improves stability. Further details on aqueous dispersions can be found in U.S. Patent 4,963,896,
FMC Corporation.
TabletsBinding
Ethylcellulose has long been used as a binder and filler in
tablets of vitamin, mineral, and prescription drugs for both
humans and animals. It helps produce a stable, attractive
tablet without significantly affecting the dissolution rate.
Encapsulation
Microencapsulation of drug particles with NF-grade ethylcellulose offers pharmaceutical manufacturers another
means of controlling solubility rates. The coacervation
process with a solvent is found in U.S. Patent 3,567,650,
NCR Corporation.
30
APPENDIX
PRODUCT LISTING SUPPLEMENT
Product
The following list of products, along with their chemical identity and source of supply, may be helpful to the reader who is
unfamiliar with some of the products referred to in this book.
Methyl ester of rosin

Hydroabietyl alcohol
Flexible acrylic ester resins
Hercules
Hercules
Rohm & Haas
Mineral-thinner-soluble
acrylic ester resin
2,3-methylene bis (4-methyl6-tert-butyl) phenol
Nonoxidizing alkyd resin
Long oil phthalic alkyd
Rohm & Haas
Reichhold
Reichhold
Processed castor oil
CasChem
Paraplex G-20
Oil-soluble pure
phenolic resin
Urea-formaldehyde resin
Synthetic oil
Alkyd resin
Ethylene glycol monobutyl
ether-solvent
Diethylene glycol
monoethyl ether
Rosin-derived alkyd
Modified ester of rosin
Ethylene glycol monoethyl
ether-solvent
Ethylene glycol monoethyl
ether acetate-solvent
Chlorinated paraffin
Reichhold
Paraplex RG-2,
RG-8
Pentalyn A
Pentalyn G
Read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheets

(MSDSs) before using these products.
Product
Abalyn
Abitol E
Acryloid B72,
C10LV
Acryloid F10
Antioxidant 2246
Aroplaz 1351
Aroplaz 1271
Bakers castor oil
No. 15, 30; Pale
No. 4, 16, 1000
Beckacite,
Super-, 1001
Beckamine 21-510
Beckolin
Beckosol 12-021
Butyl Cellosolve
Carbitol
Cellolyn 21
Cellolyn 102M
Cellosolve
Cellosolve
acetate
Chlorowax 70
Cumar P10
Chemical Identity
Hi-Flash naphtha Solvent hydrocarbon

Ionol
Oxidation inhibitor
Keltrol
Fatty oil-vinyl toluene
copolymer
Lewisol 28
Maleic-modified ester
gum resin
Metalyn
Distilled methyl ester of
tall oil
Methyl Cellosolve Ethylene glycol monomethyl
ether
Methyl Cellosolve Ethylene glycol monomethyl
acetate
ether acetate
Monoplex DIOA
Diisooctyl adipate
Necton 45
Petroleum lubricating oil base
Nevillac 10
Phenol-indene-coumarone
resins
Nujol
Liquid paraffin oil
Orlon
Acrylic synthetic fiber
Chemical Identity
Plastic-grade coumaroneindene resin

Cumar R-3, R-11, Coumarone-indene resins
R-14, R-28, R-29
BHT
2,6-di-tert-butyl-para-cresol
Dipentene No. 122 Solvent, C10H16
Dow Corning
Silicone dimethyl fluid
Fluid 200
Dutrex 25
Petroleum-derived plasticizer
Epon 1004`
Polymer of bisphenol and
epichlorohydrin
Ester Gum 8D
Glycerol ester of rosin
Flexol 3GH
Triethylene glycol di(2-ethyl
butyrate)
Flexricin P-3
Butyl ricinoleate
Gloria
White mineral oil
Halowax 1013
Chlorinated naphthalene resin
HB-40
Hydrogenated terphenyl
Hercoflex 600
Monomeric PE ester
Hercolyn D
Hydrogenated methyl esters
of rosin
Hercules RS
nitrocellulose
Manufacturer
Ciba Geigy
Reichhold
Reichhold
Reichhold
Union Carbide
Pentalyn H
Union Carbide
Pentalyn K
Hercules
Hercules
Union Carbide
Pentalyn 830,
856
Pentaphen 67
Pentrex 28
Union Carbide
PhosFlex CEF
U.S. Industrial
Chemicals
Neville
Chemical
Neville
Chemical
Ashland
Hercules
Dow Corning
Piccolastic A-5
Pine oil
Poly-pale 10
ester
Poly-pale resin
Resimene
Staybelite
Staybelite 3,
10 ester
Tegmer 804
Shell
Shell
Tetralin
Hercules
CP Hall
Triacetin
Tributyrin
CasChem
Sonneborn
Bakelite
Monsanto
Hercules
Hercules
Uformite MM-55
Uni-Rez 7200
Uvinul 400
Varsol
Vinsol
Vinsol ester gum
Vinylite VAGH
Zinar, Zirex, Zitro
Hercules
31
Sebacic, unmodified,
nonoxidizing alkyd resin
Sebacic, oil-modified alkyd
resins
Pentaerythritol ester of rosin
Modified pentaerythritol
ester of rosin
Pentaerythritol ester of
hydrogenated rosin
Pentaerythritol ester of
modified rosin
Hard, pale, thermoplastic
resins
para-tert-amylphenol
Maleic-modified glycerol
ester of rosin
Tri(beta-chloroethyl)
phosphate
Styrene resin
Ester of polymerized rosin

Polymerized rosin
Melamine resin
Hydrogenated rosin
Esters of hydrogenated
rosin
Polyethylene glycol
di-2-ethylhexoate
Tetrahydronaphthalene
Manufacturer
Allied Signal
Shell UK
Reichhold
Hercules
Hercules
Union Carbide
Union Carbide
CP Hall
Exxon
Neville
Chemical
Schering
E. I. du Pont
de Nemours
CP Hall
CP Hall
Hercules
Hercules
Hercules
Hercules
Hercules
Atochem
Hercules
Akzo Chemie
Hercules
Hercules
Hercules
Hercules
Monsanto
Hercules
Hercules
CP Hall
E. I. du Pont
de Nemours
Glycerol triacetate
Bayer AG
Glycerol tributyrate
Eastman
Chemical
Melamine-formaldehyde resin Reichhold
Hard maleate resin
Union Camp
2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone BASF
Petroleum thinner
Exxon
Dark, hard pine resin
Hercules
Glycerol ester of Vinsol
Hercules
Vinyl resin
Union Carbide
Zinc resinates
Arizona
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
Product specifications are based on Aqualon test methods.
The following standard test methods are essentially equivalent
to the Aqualon test methods, except where indicated:
EthylcelluloseStandard Grades
ASTM D 914(2)
EthylcelluloseNF Grades
National Formulary (current edition)
Ethylcellulose Official
Monograph
(2)ViscosityThe
Aqualon test method utilizes the Hercules horizontal capillary viscometer, in accordance with ASTM D 914, for ethylcellulose types
having a viscosity of 250 cps or less. For viscosities greater than 250 cps
on the horizontal capillary viscometer, the following test method is used:
Apparatus
Brookfield viscometer Model LVF
Procedure
Prepare the viscosity solution in accordance with ASTM D 914 procedure
specified for Hercules horizontal capillary viscosity. After the solution is
complete by visual inspection, place it in a 12-oz bottle, adjust the temperature to 25C, and measure the viscosity, using a Brookfield viscometer Model
LVF (No. 2 spindle, 30 rpm).
Calculation
Multiply the 3-min dial reading by 10 to obtain viscosity in centipoises.
PRODUCT SAFETY
Read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) before using this product.
32
Cellulose and Its Derivatives
HERCULES INCORPORATED
Aqualon Division
Hercules Plaza
1313 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19894-0001
www.aqualon.com
(800) 345-0447
ORDER PLACEMENT INFORMATION
(800) 334-8426
PRODUCT AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
(800) 345-0447
The products and related information provided by Hercules are for manufacturing use only. Hercules makes no express, implied, or other representation,
warranty, or guarantee concerning (i) the handling, use, or application of such products, whether alone, in combination with other products, or otherwise,
(ii) the completeness, definitiveness, or adequacy of such information for users or other purposes, (iii) the quality of such products, except that such
products are of Hercules standard quality. Users are advised to make their own tests to determine the safety and suitability of each such product or product combination for their own purposes. Read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) before using this product. Hercules does not
recommend any use of its products that would violate any patent or other rights.
250-42A 3-02
Supersedes all previous editions.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.

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C

SOLVENTS AND SOLUBILITY . . . .

FILM AND FOIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Ethylcellulose is also characterized by low flammability and

Ethylcellulose is a cellulose ether made by the reaction

The structure that is most widely accepted for the cellulose

Each of these ethoxyl types is subdivided into viscosity

From Figure 1a., it is seen that each anhydroglucose unit

TABLE IETHOXYL TYPES

Figure 1a. Structural Formula of Cellulose

tablet form, gum, and confectionery; inks for

Aqualon K-, N-, and T-types of ethylcellulose(1) are in

Resinous and polymeric coatings

Zinc-silicon dioxide matrix coatings

Components of paper and paperboard in

Components of paper and paperboard in

Ethylcellulosefor use as a binder and filler

The available types of NF ethylcellulose are:

Substances migrating to food from paper and

Binder or filler in dry vitamin preparations to

plastic-peel-stabilized N100PP and N50S types.

In addition to the foregoing, the special NF drug grade of

Diluents in color additive mixtures for drug

Ethylcellulose NF types also meet monograph requirements

177.1210 Closures with sealing gaskets for food

Viscosity(d) Range, cps

using 5% ethylcellulose in 80 parts toluene: 20 parts

Diluents in color additive mixtures for marking

(See section on Food Contact and Pharmaceuticals for additional details.)

TABLE IIETHOXYL AND VISCOSITY TYPES OF AQUALON ETHYLCELLULOSE

impact resistance at low temperatures, in furniture lacquers

It is quite useful in printing inks. Plastics with rigid or soft

Ethylcellulose is more sensitive to acidic materials than are

This flexibility is carried over into many compositions, such

Ethylcellulose, because of its light transmission, together

a. Effect of ethylcellulose film thickness on light transmission.

When properly formulated and stabilized, ethylcellulose

b. Examples of how ultraviolet light stabilizers can affect light transmission of

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (EFFECTS OF

It will be seen that there is a marked leveling off of the

As in the case of the other cellulose derivatives, there are

Range of Ethanol Solubility

Shore Hardness, R Scale

The softening point of unplasticized ethylcellulose is not

Flexibility, MIT Double Folds

Tensile Strength, lbs/in.2

Viscosity of ethylcellulose has a marked effect on flexibility over the entire

TABLE IIIEFFECTS OF VISCOSITY ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF N-TYPE ETHYLCELLULOSE(g)

Blends can be calculated directly from this equation.

This chart is set up on semilogarithmic plotting paper

A comparison of the viscosity-concentration relationships for

How to Use the Blending Chart

n log V1 + (100 n)log V2

where Vs = viscosity sought

The chart also can be used to calculate the viscosity that

The vertical 50% line intersects the diagonal at point B on

TABLE IVPHYSICAL PROPERTIES(j) OF N-TYPE ETHYLCELLULOSE

Concentration of Ethylcellulose by Weight

Viscosity Type 300

Viscosity Type 200

Viscosity of V1, cps

Viscosity Type 100

Viscosity of V2, cps

Ethylcellulose formulations, if not stabilized, are subject to