- ▸ Scale inhibition: Controls calcium carbonate, sulfate, and phosphate scale
- ▸ Corrosion control: Mild-steel corrosion inhibition in cooling systems
- ▸ Deposit control: Maintains performance at high hardness and cycles of concentration
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.
Request SDS →Phosphino-carboxylic acid copolymer (PCA; CAS 71050-62-9) is a dual-function water-treatment polymer that both inhibits scale and disperses particulates. The phosphinate group provides corrosion inhibition and a useful analytical marker, while the carboxylic-acid backbone delivers threshold scale inhibition and strong dispersancy — with high calcium tolerance and good thermal stability, so it holds up in hard, hot cooling and boiler water.
What is phosphino-carboxylic acid copolymer?
PCA is a low-molecular-weight acrylic copolymer carrying a phosphinate group. The carboxylate groups inhibit carbonate, sulfate and phosphate scale by threshold and crystal-distortion effects and disperse iron oxide and suspended solids; the phosphinate adds corrosion protection and a built-in way to trace the polymer dose. It is notably tolerant of high calcium hardness.
Applications by sector
Cooling water. A scale inhibitor and dispersant for recirculating cooling systems, controlling scale while keeping iron oxide and silt suspended. Boilers. A scale and deposit-control polymer for boiler water. Reverse osmosis & industrial water. An antiscalant and dispersant. It is often combined with phosphonates and other inhibitors in a treatment program; dose to your water chemistry.
Forms and grades
Supplied as an aqueous solution at a stated active content; confirm active level on the RFQ. The CoA documents the lot.
Handling and documentation
Handle per the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS); each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource supplies phosphino-carboxylic acid copolymer in bulk to water-treatment formulators and end users, with CoA and SDS per lot. Submit an RFQ with your active level and target quantity. Related scale-control chemistry: HEDP disodium salt; see the scale inhibitors guide and water treatment chemicals guide.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Phosphino-carboxylic acid copolymer (PCA) |
| CAS Number | 71050-62-9 |
| Chemical type | Phosphinate-functional acrylic copolymer |
| Appearance | Pale aqueous solution |
| Active content | Grade-dependent — see CoA |
| Function | Scale inhibitor + dispersant; corrosion inhibition; high Ca tolerance; traceable |
| Stability | Good thermal/hardness tolerance |
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU): Not determined from public registry
- EC number: 615-245-4
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 phosphino-carboxylic acid copolymer used for?
PCA (CAS 71050-62-9) is a dual-function water-treatment polymer used as a scale inhibitor and dispersant in cooling water, boilers and RO systems — controlling carbonate/sulfate/phosphate scale while dispersing iron oxide and suspended solids, with corrosion-inhibition benefit.
Why is PCA traceable?
Its phosphinate group can be measured analytically, so the polymer dose can be tracked directly in the system — useful for control of a treatment program. It also tolerates high calcium hardness.
What is the CAS of PCA?
Phosphino-carboxylic acid copolymer is CAS 71050-62-9. As a polymer it is supplied as an aqueous solution at a stated active content; the CoA documents each lot.
How is bulk PCA supplied and quoted?
RawSource supplies it as an aqueous solution in bulk with CoA and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on active level and volume; submit an RFQ with your target quantity.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Phosphino-Carboxylic Acid Copolymer (PCA)?
Phosphino-Carboxylic Acid Copolymer (PCA) (CAS 71050-62-9) is listed as Active on the U.S. EPA TSCA Inventory; its REACH registration status is not determined from the public ECHA registry.
What is the CAS number of Copolymer of Phosphono and Carboxylic Acid (PCA)?
The CAS number of Copolymer of Phosphono and Carboxylic Acid (PCA) is 71050-62-9.