Know 5 Key Ingredients in Wall Putty Formula

March 11, 2025
6:26 AM

Wall putty is used to create a smooth, flat surface before painting. A balanced wall putty formula ensures that the wall putty has strong adhesion and is not prone to cracking. To achieve the best performance and finish quality of the putty, you need to match the right combination of ingredients.

There are five main ingredients in the wall putty formula: 1. White or gray silica cement 2. Quartz powder 3. Heavy calcium 4. Redispersible ploymer powder 5. Cellulose ether HPMC. Whether it is used on indoor or outdoor surfaces, the combination of these ingredients can ensure you a long-lasting effect. In this article, we will explore the 5 key ingredients in a typical putty chemical formula and explain their role.

Raw Materials	Weight（kg）
White or grey ordinary portland cement（PO42.5 ）	300
Quartz powder(160-200 mesh)	220
Heavy calcium (0.045mm)	450
Redispersible ploymer powder	8-15
Cellulose ether HPMC	4-4.5
White wood fiber	2
Polypropylene fiber 3mm	1

*This recipe is for reference only.

I. White cement or ordinary portland cement (PO 42.5)

The main binder in most wall putty formulations is either white cement or grey ordinary Portland cement. These materials provide strength and adhesion to the wall. White cement is preferred for a smoother, glossier finish because its colour does not interfere with later paint coatings. Ordinary Portland cement is often used when strength and cost-effectiveness are priorities.

Both types contain calcium silicates, which react with water to form a rigid structure, ensuring a strong bond to the wall and a hard base.

In putty chemistry, cement typically accounts for 25%-35% of the mix, providing structural integrity and resistance to shrinkage.

II. Quartz powder

Quartz powder consists of finely ground silicon dioxide and is used as a filler material in wall putty formula. It is key to improving the hardness and wear resistance of putty formulations. The particles of quartz powder are angular and staggered in the mixture, so they form a dense, hard-to-scratch surface. In exterior wall putties, quartz powder is a particularly important ingredient that can withstand weathering and some mechanical stress.

Provides hardness and scratch resistance

Improves surface smoothness and texture

Improves putty stability and prevents cracks caused by temperature fluctuations

III. Heavy calcium carbonate

Heavy calcium carbonate, another important filler, accounts for 40%-50% of the mixture and is used to increase the volume of putty and improve the viscosity. The particles of heavy calcium carbonate are ultra-fine, which can fill tiny gaps and level the surface to ensure a smooth surface.

Compared with lighter calcium carbonate, heavy calcium carbonate has a higher density and better compatibility with cement. It improves the processability of putty and reduces material costs. It also helps to improve the whiteness and brightness of the final product.

IV. Redispersible polymer powder

Redispersible polymer powder (RDP) is a key modifier that enhances the bond strength and flexibility of putty. When RDP powder is mixed with water, it forms a polymer film that binds the cement and filler particles together. This enhances the adhesion of the putty to the substrate, reduces cracking, and improves impact resistance, thereby improving the overall performance of the putty.

RPP also improves water resistance, making the formulation suitable for wet environments. Typically added at 0.8-1.5%, it can bridge the gap between rigidity and elasticity in the putty chemical formula.

Our RDP products can bring the following breakthroughs to the formulation:

1. Combining rigidity and flexibility

Problem: Pure cement-based putty is hard but brittle, and it is easy to crack with a slight vibration of the base layer.
Solution: RDP forms a polymer film after curing, making the putty elastic and improving crack resistance by more than 50%.

2.Improved adhesion to prevent hollowing and falling off

Problem: The putty has insufficient adhesion to the base layer, which can easily lead to hollowing and falling off, especially on smooth base surfaces.
Solution: The film-forming properties of RDP enhance interfacial adhesion and are suitable for a variety of substrates such as concrete and gypsum boards.

3.Water and moisture resistant

Problem: Ordinary putty tends to powder and mold in a humid environment.
Solution: RDP reduces water absorption, making putty suitable for humid environments such as kitchens and bathrooms.

V.Cellulose ether HPMC

HPMC is a cellulose ether that improves the consistency and workability of wall putty. It acts as a thickener and water retainer to ensure smooth application. In putty formulations, HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose ether) directly determines the application experience and initial performance. Our HPMC, used in small amounts, can solve multiple problems in wall putty formulations:

1.Precisely control water retention

Problem: Cement-based putty dries too quickly, resulting in insufficient hydration, low strength, and easy cracking.
Solution: HPMC forms a water-retaining film, delays water evaporation, ensures that the cement is fully hydrated, and reduces shrinkage cracking.

2. Improve construction fluency

Problem: The putty sticks to the knife, and scraping the putty is laborious, affecting construction efficiency.
Solution: HPMC’s thickening and lubricating effects make the putty paste soft and smooth, making it easy to “scrape and form”. Our HPMC provides a variety of viscosity specifications (40,000-200,000 viscosity) and can be customized for different regional climates (dry/humid).

3. Anti-sagging

Problem: Putty is prone to sagging during thick layer construction, increasing the rework rate.
Solution: HPMC’s thixotropic properties make the putty thicker when it is still and thinner during construction, perfectly balancing leveling and anti-sagging.

VI.Scientific compounding of HPMC and RDP in putty formula

Performance requirements	HPMC	RDP
Anti-cracking	Water retention reduces shrinkage stress	Polymer films absorb deformation energy
Constructability	Lubrication thickening, extended opening time	Improve the flexibility of the paste
Water resistance	Inhibit rapid water penetration	Forms a hydrophobic barrier

VII.Conclusion

The synergistic effect of these main ingredients ensures a balanced wall putty formula. Too much polymer or HPMC will weaken the structure, while insufficient quartz powder may affect durability. The formula ratio should be fine-tuned according to the climate and application type (interior wall/exterior wall).

As a cellulose ether and RDP manufacturer with more than ten years of experience in the industry, we can provide you with high-purity products and ensure stable quality between batches. We can recommend the best additive combination based on your formulation requirements (such as low-cost type, high water resistance type). Free of charge formula optimization solutions and construction problem diagnosis. TENESSY is willing to become your reliable “formulation partner” with professional technology and reliable products.