Polymers & Resins Available — Bulk Only

Carbomer

Carbomer
CAS 9003-01-4 · Formula (C3H4O2)n

A high-molecular-weight acrylic acid polymer that swells into clear, high-yield gels at very low use levels. After neutralization in water it forms clear gels; it is used as a thickener, gelling agent, emulsion stabilizer and suspending agent across personal-care, household and industrial formulations.

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UN Number
UN 2218
Hazard Class
Class 8
HS Code
3906.90
At a Glance
Material Family
Polymers & Resins
Record Type
UVCB
Primary Role
Surfactancy · Film Formation
Functional Roles
POLYACRYLIC ACID
BINDINGEMULSION STABILISINGFILM FORMINGVISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Industries Served
Applications & Use Cases
  • Thickener/gellant: Builds viscosity and clear gels at low dose after neutralization.
  • Emulsion stabilizer: Stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions.
  • Suspending agent: Holds particles and droplets in suspension.
Physical Properties
appearance
typical: clear to pale-yellow viscous liquid (solution) or white powder (dry)
odor
typical: faint, characteristic
physical_form
aqueous solution or free-flowing powder
solubility_water
typical: soluble / water-swellable
pH
typical: 2-4 (as supplied acid solution); ~6-9 when neutralized
density
typical: 1.1-1.2 g/cm3 (solution)
monomer_repeat_mass
72.06 g/mol (acrylic acid repeat unit)
molecular_weight_range
typical: ~2,000 to >1,000,000 g/mol depending on grade
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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DOT / UN Transport Classification
DOT hazard class 8 placard
UN / DOT NumberUN 2218
Hazard Class / DivisionClass 8
Packing GroupII
Proper Shipping NameAcrylic acid, stabilized

Transport classification per the UN Model Regulations / 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. Confirm against the grade-specific SDS (Section 14) before shipping.

HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
3906 . 90
Chapter 39
Plastics and articles thereof
Heading 39.06
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 3906.90
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
9003-01-4
Molecular Formula
(C3H4O2)n
INCI Name
POLYACRYLIC ACID
Synonyms & Trade Names
Poly(acrylic acid) Acrylic acid polymer 2-Propenoic acid homopolymer Acrylic acid homopolymer PAA Carbomer (crosslinked grades) Polyacrylic acid solution
Full Description

Carbomer (CAS 9003-01-4) is a high-molecular-weight crosslinked polymer of acrylic acid supplied as a primary-form powder. After neutralization in water it forms clear gels; it is used as a thickener, gelling agent, emulsion stabilizer and suspending agent across personal-care, household and industrial formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the common name for carbomer?

Carbomer (CAS 9003-01-4) is the common/INCI name for a high-molecular-weight crosslinked polymer of acrylic acid, also referred to generically as a polyacrylic acid thickener. RawSource supplies it as a primary-form powder.

What is carbomer used for?

Carbomer is used as a thickener and gelling agent that forms clear gels at low dose after neutralization, as an emulsion stabilizer for oil-in-water systems, and as a suspending agent across personal-care, household, and industrial formulations. RawSource supplies it in bulk.

How do you use carbomer in a formulation?

Carbomer powder is dispersed in water and then neutralized with a base, which uncoils the polymer to build viscosity and form a clear gel. Use level, neutralizer, and dispersion method depend on grade; refer to the technical data sheet.

Is carbomer a plastic / microplastic?

Carbomer is a high-molecular-weight crosslinked synthetic polymer of acrylic acid. Classification under specific microplastic definitions varies by jurisdiction and is not a property RawSource certifies; consult the SDS and current regulatory references for your market.

What is the cost of bulk carbomer?

Pricing depends on grade, packaging, and order volume. RawSource quotes industrial quantities and provides a CoA and SDS per lot; request a bulk quote for current pricing.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.