- ▸ 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.