Carboxymethyl Cellulose CAS 9004-32-4

Product Description

CMC is made by attaching carboxymethyl groups to natural cellulose. Two numbers describe a grade: degree of substitution (DS) controls solubility speed and salt tolerance, and viscosity controls thickening and water retention. Higher DS and viscosity handle saltier, heavier systems; low grades suit thin, cost-sensitive formulations. Grades are matched to the end use rather than sold as one default material.

Applications

• Food (E466). Thickens sauces, syrups and dairy drinks; slows ice-crystal growth in ice cream; holds moisture in bakery goods and stabilizes protein drinks against separation.
• Pharmaceutical. Tablet binder and disintegrant, and suspension stabilizer in liquid medicines, at strict purity limits.
• Detergent. Anti-redeposition agent that keeps suspended soil from settling back on fabric during the wash.
• Construction. Water retention and workability in tile adhesive, mortar, self-leveling compounds and gypsum products.
• Paper and textile. Coating-color thickener and surface sizing in paper; warp sizing and printing-paste thickener in textiles.
• Drilling fluids. Fluid loss control, viscosity for cuttings transport and shale stabilization; the LV/MV/HV series is specified below.

Drilling Series Specifications

LV gives filtrate control without raising viscosity in heavily weighted muds; MV is the balanced default; HV builds carrying capacity in large-diameter holes. CMC works with barium sulfate weighting material and basic zinc carbonate scavenger in the same system.

Ordering, Storage and Handling

• State the target industry, DS and viscosity; food and pharma grades carry E466 or pharmacopeia purity limits.
• CMC is hygroscopic and forms lumps if dumped into water too fast. Add slowly under agitation, or order an instant grade.
• Packaging: 25 kg multi-ply bags with PE liner or 500 kg bulk bags; container orders ship in 7-15 working days.
• Store sealed, dry and off the floor; shelf life 24 months; COA, TDS and SDS included.

FAQ

Q: What grades of CMC does UATChem supply?

A: Food, pharma, detergent and drilling grades, in LV, MV and HV viscosities across DS 0.6-1.2.

Q: What is the difference between LV, MV and HV CMC?

A: They differ in 2% viscosity, 10-50, 200-600 and 1000-2500 mPa.s, for heavier viscosifying.

Q: Does CMC work in saltwater mud?

A: High-DS grades handle moderate salinity; saturated brine or calcium muds need PAC instead.

Q: At what temperature does CMC break down?

A: Activity fades above 120-150 C in prolonged heat, where PAC or synthetic polymers take over.

Q: Is food-grade CMC different from industrial CMC?

A: Food grade meets E466 purity limits; industrial grades trade purity for cost.