As a non-ionic surface agent, hydroxyethyl cellulose has the following properties in addition to thickening, suspending, binding, flotation, film-forming, dispersing, water retention and providing protective colloids:

1. HEO is soluble in hot or cold water, and does not precipitate at high temperature or boiling, so that it has a wide range of solubility and viscosity characteristics, and non-thermal gelation;
2. The non-ionic itself can coexist with other water-soluble polymers, surfaces and salts in a wide range, and is an excellent colloidal thickener containing high-concentration electrolyte solutions;
3. The water retention capacity is twice as high as that of methyl cellulose, and it has better flow regulation.
4. Compared with methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, the dispersing ability of HEC is poor, but the protective colloid ability is strong.