POLYACRYLIC ACID- ▸ 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.
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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Transport classification per the UN Model Regulations / 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. Confirm against the grade-specific SDS (Section 14) before shipping.
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.
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU):
- EC number: 618-347-7
TSCA Inventory flag XU: a substance exempt from reporting under the Chemical Data Reporting Rule (40 CFR 711) (EPA flag legend).
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
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.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Carbomer?
Carbomer (CAS 9003-01-4) is subject to U.S. TSCA Inventory requirements; supplying it into the EU requires valid REACH registration ((EC) No 1907/2006). RawSource cannot verify a third-party supplier's registrations — buyers should require documented TSCA and REACH compliance for their jurisdiction and volume (EC 618-347-7).