Methyl Cellulose (13-18mPas, 2% in Water at 20deg C) TCI M0290

TCI M0290 is Methyl Cellulose specified at a viscosity of 13–18 mPa·s measured as a 2% solution in water at 20 degrees Celsius. It is a semisynthetic polysaccharide produced by the etherification of natural cellulose, and it belongs to the glycoscience group of materials. In the laboratory it functions as a thickener, a film former, a colloid stabiliser, and a gel-forming agent. Because it can modify the rheological behaviour of aqueous solutions with only a small addition, it appears very frequently in experimental formulations across a wide range of research fields.

The most distinctive characteristic of methyl cellulose is its thermal gelation behaviour, which runs opposite to that of most hydrocolloids. Its solutions thicken or form a gel when heated and return to a fluid state on cooling, a property that is deliberately exploited in many experimental designs. The 13–18 mPa·s designation on this product places it in the low-viscosity class, meaning the resulting solutions are relatively thin and easy to handle. This suits researchers who need fine control over consistency without immediately producing a solution that is too thick to work with. The material is also nonionic, which makes it comparatively tolerant in mixed systems.

In Indonesian laboratories, this grade of methyl cellulose is commonly kept as a general-purpose formulation aid on the bench. Research groups in chemistry, chemical biology, and glycoscience use it when a solution needs a controlled increase in viscosity, when a thin film must be cast, or when a dispersion needs to be held stable during an experiment. The low-viscosity class is particularly convenient for teaching and method-development work, where solutions are prepared repeatedly and must remain easy to pipette and mix.

• Viscosity adjustment of aqueous systems: the low-viscosity 13–18 mPa·s class allows the consistency of a solution to be raised gradually and controllably rather than in a single thick step.
• Colloid and dispersion stabilisation: as a colloid stabiliser it helps keep suspended material evenly distributed, which reduces settling during preparation and over the course of an experiment.
• Film formation: the polymer's film-forming ability makes it suitable for casting thin, even layers from aqueous solution, a routine requirement in coating and surface-preparation work.
• Thermally reversible gel systems: because its solutions gel on heating and liquefy again on cooling, it supports experimental designs that need a gel state only at elevated temperature.
• Glycoscience and carbohydrate research: as a semisynthetic cellulose ether it serves as a working polysaccharide for studies of cellulose derivatives and their solution behaviour.

• Product identity: Methyl Cellulose, 13–18 mPa·s (2% in water at 20 °C)

Store the container tightly closed in a dry, well-ventilated place away from moisture, since cellulose ethers readily take up water from humid air and this affects both dissolution behaviour and the reliability of solution preparation. The original supplier container is the most suitable primary packaging; if transfer is necessary, use a clean, dry, sealable container that is clearly labelled with the product name and CAS number. Handle the dry powder in a way that limits dust generation, and follow the laboratory's standard practice for personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, gloves, and eye protection. Consult the manufacturer's safety data sheet before first use and keep it accessible in the work area.

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