POLYACRYLAMIDE- ▸ Clarification: bridges coagulated solids in municipal and industrial water and wastewater.
- ▸ Mineral processing: thickeners, clarifiers and tailings dewatering.
- ▸ Oil & gas: friction reducer and polymer-flood EOR (partially hydrolyzed HPAM).
- ▸ Paper: retention and drainage aid.
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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Anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) is the negatively-charged, very-high-molecular-weight PAM grade — the largest-volume flocculant for clarification and mineral processing. It excels with inorganic or post-coagulation (positively-charged) suspended solids in neutral-to-alkaline water. It is one of the three grades in the polyacrylamide overview (compare cationic PAM (CPAM) and nonionic PAM (NPAM)).
What it is
Anionic PAM (CAS 9003-05-8; an acrylamide–acrylate copolymer, also made by partial hydrolysis of polyacrylamide) carries negative carboxylate groups along a very long chain. Molecular weight typically runs ~6–20+ million and the degree of anionicity (charge density) is tuned to the solids. It is supplied as a free-flowing white powder/granule.
How it works
APAM flocculates mainly by bridging: its long chains adsorb onto many particles at once, binding fine solids into large, fast-settling or easily-filtered flocs. It works best after a coagulant has neutralized charge (it bridges the coagulated micro-flocs), and in neutral-to-alkaline water where the carboxylate groups stay extended. Background: what is flocculation and coagulants vs flocculants.
Applications
APAM is the largest flocculant segment, used in municipal and industrial wastewater clarification (after coagulation), mining thickeners/clarifiers and tailings, coal and sand/aggregate washing, pulp & paper, oil & gas (partially-hydrolyzed HPAM for friction reduction and polymer-flood EOR), and construction (concrete anti-washout, soil and erosion control). Use-case detail: mining, tailings & mine water, oil & gas friction reducer & EOR, metal finishing & metallurgy wastewater, concrete anti-washout admixture, dust suppression & soil/erosion control and sludge dewatering & clarification.
Typical properties and grades
Grades vary by molecular weight and anionicity; the values below are typical of a high-MW anionic grade and are reference only — the CoA for your lot governs. NSF/ANSI 60-certified anionic grades are available for potable-water clarification (confirm certification).
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource supplies anionic polyacrylamide in bulk (bags, supersacks) with CoA, TDS and SDS per lot. Tell us your stream and solids, pH, equipment and throughput, and we will recommend the molecular weight and anionicity and quote it. See the polyacrylamide overview and the grades, make-down & dosing guide.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical / class | Anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) — acrylamide–acrylate copolymer |
| Charge | Negative (carboxylate) |
| Typical molecular weight | ~6–20+ million |
| Degree of anionicity | Tunable (e.g. ~30–35% for some mineral/cement grades) |
| Optimal pH | Neutral to alkaline (pH 7–10) |
| Dissolving time | Fast-dissolving grades available (~10 min for one cement grade) |
| Bulk density | ~0.6–0.7 g/cm3 (powder) |
| Appearance | White free-flowing powder / granule |
| CAS Number | 9003-05-8 (anionic acrylamide copolymer) |
| Handling | Refer to the current SDS; powder is slippery when wet |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) used for?
Anionic PAM (CAS 9003-05-8) is a negatively-charged, very-high-MW flocculant used for water/wastewater clarification after coagulation, mining thickeners and tailings, coal/sand washing, paper, oil & gas EOR (HPAM), and concrete/soil applications. It suits inorganic or positively-charged solids in neutral-to-alkaline water.
When should I use anionic instead of cationic PAM?
Use anionic PAM for inorganic, mineral or post-coagulation (positively-charged) solids in neutral-to-alkaline streams (clarification, mineral processing); use cationic PAM for organic-rich, negatively-charged sludge and biosolids dewatering. Confirm with jar tests.
What molecular weight and charge should I specify?
Higher molecular weight gives stronger bridging/larger flocs; higher anionicity suits more positively-charged solids. The right combination is set by jar test on your stream — tell us the application and we will recommend a grade.
Is anionic PAM available NSF-60 certified for drinking water?
Yes, NSF/ANSI 60-certified anionic grades are available for potable-water clarification, where residual acrylamide is strictly limited; confirm the certification and limits for your jurisdiction and consult the SDS.
Disclaimer. Information on this page — including chemical 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). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase 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.
