The prediction of compatibility/incompatibility in blends of ethyl cellulose with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or hydroxypropyl cellulose using 2-dimensional solubility parameter maps.

Typical two dimensional solubility parameter maps for ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose have been constructed using literature data. The maps of the polymers showed some degree of overlap indicating some mutual compatibility. Compatibility between ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose was greater than between ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The maps may also be used to predict the effect of added plasticizers.