In construction and daily chemical industries, the quality of HPMC directly determines product performance and stability. You can evaluate it from the following aspects:
1. Appearance & Physical Properties
- Color & Texture: High-quality HPMC is white or off-white, light and fluffy; inferior ones are grayish and heavy.
- Fineness: Usually 80–100 mesh. Finer powder dissolves more evenly and performs better.
- Microscopic Observation: Good HPMC shows fibrous structure; granular or crystalline forms indicate poor quality.
2. Solubility & Solution Properties
- Dissolution Speed: Quality HPMC disperses quickly in water without clumping. Instant type dissolves fully within 5 minutes.
- Transparency: The solution should be clear, with high light transmittance and no flocs or sediment.
3. Functional Performance
- Water Retention: Premium HPMC has ≥97% water retention at high temperatures, while poor products often drop below 80%.
- Viscosity & Stability: Viscosity should meet the labeled value (variation ≤±10%), and remain stable after storage.
4. Other Key Indicators
- Odor: Good HPMC should be odorless.
- Moisture Content: ≤5–6%, ensuring proper solubility and storage stability.
- Safety Standards: Pharmaceutical grade must comply with pH, heavy metals, and microbial limits.
5. Quick Identification Methods
- Whiteness: Higher whiteness usually indicates better quality, but whitening agents must be excluded.
- Specific Gravity: 1.26–1.31 indicates higher hydroxypropyl content and better water retention.
✅ Conclusion: Judging HPMC quality requires a comprehensive evaluation of appearance, solubility, functional indicators, and compliance with standards. Always choose suppliers with reliable test reports and proven reputation.