POLYACRYLAMIDE- ▸ Sludge & biosolids dewatering (belt press, centrifuge, filter press).
- ▸ Dissolved air flotation (DAF) and oil/water separation.
- ▸ Paper retention and drainage.
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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Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) is the positively-charged PAM grade and the flocculant of choice for sludge and biosolids dewatering. Its positive charge neutralizes the negative surface charge of organic solids and builds robust, shear-resistant flocs that release water on a belt press or centrifuge. It is one of the three grades in the polyacrylamide overview (compare anionic PAM (APAM) and nonionic PAM (NPAM)).
What it is
Cationic PAM is an acrylamide copolymer carrying positive charges, made by copolymerizing acrylamide with cationic monomers (such as quaternary-ammonium acrylates/acrylamides or DADMAC). Molecular weight typically runs ~5–13 million and the cationic charge density (ionicity) is tunable — higher ionicity for high-organic, strongly-negative biological sludge. It is supplied as a white powder/granule (and as emulsions).
How it works
CPAM works by charge neutralization plus bridging: its positive charges cancel the negative charge on organic biosolids, then the long chains bridge the destabilized particles into strong flocs that resist the shear of a centrifuge or belt press and release free water. The ionicity is matched to the sludge: more cationic for more organic, more negatively-charged sludge. Background: what is flocculation and sludge dewatering & clarification.
Applications
CPAM is the fastest-growing PAM segment, used in municipal and industrial sludge and biosolids dewatering (belt press, centrifuge, filter press), activated/bio-sludge dewatering, dissolved air flotation (DAF) and oil/water separation, and pulp & paper retention and drainage. Use-case detail: sludge dewatering & clarification and wastewater treatment chemicals.
Typical properties and grades
Grades vary by molecular weight and cationic ionicity; values below are typical and reference only — the CoA governs. The right ionicity is set by jar/dewatering trials on your sludge.
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource supplies cationic polyacrylamide in bulk (bags, supersacks; emulsion grades on request) with CoA, TDS and SDS per lot. Tell us your sludge type (municipal/industrial, % solids, organic load), equipment and throughput, and we will recommend the ionicity and molecular weight 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 | Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) — acrylamide–cationic copolymer |
| Charge | Positive (quaternary-ammonium / DADMAC comonomer) |
| Typical molecular weight | ~5–13 million |
| Charge density (ionicity) | Tunable; higher for high-organic biosolids |
| Optimal pH | Acidic to neutral (pH 4–9) |
| Best for | Organic-rich, negatively-charged sludge & biosolids |
| Physical form | White powder / granule (and emulsion grades) |
| CAS Number | 9003-05-8 base (cationic copolymer; varies by comonomer) |
| Handling | Refer to the current SDS; powder is slippery when wet |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) used for?
Cationic PAM is the positively-charged flocculant used mainly for sludge and biosolids dewatering (belt press, centrifuge, filter press), activated-sludge dewatering, DAF and oil/water separation, and paper retention/drainage. Its charge neutralizes organic, negatively-charged solids.
Why is cationic PAM used for sludge dewatering?
Organic biosolids carry a negative surface charge; cationic PAM neutralizes it and bridges the solids into strong, shear-resistant flocs that hold together through a centrifuge or belt press and release free water, raising cake solids.
How do I choose the cationic charge density (ionicity)?
Match ionicity to the sludge: more organic and more negatively-charged sludge needs higher cationic charge; over- or under-dosing wastes polymer and worsens dewatering. Set it by jar/dewatering trials on your actual sludge.
Is cationic PAM supplied as powder or emulsion?
RawSource supplies cationic PAM as dry powder/granule and, on request, as emulsion grades; powder is lower cost per active polymer and emulsions dissolve faster. Choose by make-down equipment and throughput.
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.
