ENHANCED GEL STRENGTH METHYLCELLULOSE

摘要

In a first embodiment, the present invention is a process for producing methylcelluloses having greater gel strength than methylcelluloses of the prior art. According to the process of the present invention, methylcellulose is produced by methylating cellulose pulp in two separate stages. In a second embodiment, the present invention is a methylcellulose having a methoxyl substitution of about 29 to about 32 weight percent based upon the weight of the methylcellulose and a gel strength greater than about 223 x (v<0.273>), wherein v represents the viscosity of the methylcellulose.