Carbomer / Acrylates Co-polymers USP/NF

CARBOMER POLYMER PRODUCTS

Products within the Carbomer polymer family are chemically similar in that they are all high molecular weight, crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymers. However, the polymers differ by crosslink density and can be grouped into the following categories.

• Carbomer homopolymers:  acrylic acid crosslinked with allyl sucrose or allyl pentaerythritol
• Carbomer copolymers: acrylic acid and C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosslinked with allyl pentaerythritol

Numerous enhancements have been made to the  polymer family over time to address formulation demands, increase product robustness and improve product handling during processing. For example, the solvent system used to synthesize the polymers has evolved. Specifically, the "traditional" polymers are synthesized in benzene and the "toxicologically preferred" polymers are synthesized in either ethyl acetate or a cosolvent ethyl acetate/cyclohexane mixture. Additionally, a minor processing aid has been incorporated in the Carbomer polymers to provide greater versatility in formulating and processing.

Product Overview and Recommendations

CARMOBER POLYMER	Polymerization Solvent	Carbomer Product Type	Viscosity, cP (0.5 wt% at pH 7.5)
71G NF	Ethyl Acetate	Homopolymer	4,000 - 11,000
971P NF	Ethyl Acetate	Homopolymer	4,000 - 11,000
974P NF	Ethyl Acetate	Homopolymer	29,400 - 39,400
980 NF	Cosolvent	Homopolymer	40,000 - 60,000
981 NF	Cosolvent	Homopolymer	4,000 - 10,000
5984 EP	Cosolvent	Homopolymer	30,500 - 39,400
ETD 2020 NF	Cosolvent	Interpolymer	47,000 - 77,000
10 NF	Cosolvent	Interpolymer	45,000 - 65,000
934 NF	Benzene	Homopolymer	30,500 - 39,400
934P NF	Benzene	Homopolymer	29,400 - 39,400
940 NF	Benzene	Homopolymer	40,000 - 60,000
941 NF	Benzene	Homopolymer	4,000 - 10,000
1342 NF	Benzene	Copolymer	9,500 - 26,5002

Ø  Carbomer homopolyers are polymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with allyl sucrose or allyl pentaerythritol

  Ø  Carbomer copolymers are polymers of acrylic acid and C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosslinked with allyl pentaerythritol

  Ø  Carbomer interpolymers are a carbomer homopolymer or copolymer that contains a block copolymer of polyethylene glycol and a long chain alkyl acid ester

• Due to regulatory restrictions on the use of benzene in pharmaceutical formulations, We recommends that carbomers polymerized in either ethyl acetate or a cosolvent mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane be used for all new drug development projects.
• Additionally, it may be desirable to substitute a benzene polymerized carbomer with a non-benzene polymerized carbomer in a pharmaceutical formulation. The following table shows recommended substitutes for the benzene grade Carbomer products based on viscosity criteria. The substitute products are polymerized in either ethyl acetate or a cosolvent mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane. If a substitution is made in a pharmaceutical formulation, it is recommended that key performance properties be ascertained and regulatory considerations be taken into account. Depending on the desired dosage requirements, other Carbomer polymers may be suitable alternatives.

Carbomer Products for Oral Pharmaceutical Applications

Carbomer Polymer	Suspensions	Bioadhesive Formulations	Roller-Compaction	Solid Dosage Wet Granulation	Direct Compression	Sustain Release
71G NF	YES	YES		YES	YES	YES
971P NF	YES	YES	YES	YES		YES
974P NF	YES	YES	YES	YES
934P NF	YES	YES	YES	YES
912 G NF	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES

Carbomer Products for Oral Care Applications

Carbomer Polymer	Toothpaste	Mouthwash
971P NF	YES	YES
974P NF	YES	YES
ETD 2020 NF	YES	YES
980 NF	YES	YES
956 NF	YES	YES

Carbomer 912G NF (IN HOUSE):
Carbomer 912G  as a thickening, emulsifying and stabilizing agent. It produces wide range of viscosities & flow properties and stabilizes various emulsions. 

APPLICATION:

Cosmetic: in formulating shampoos, styling formulas and skin-, body-, foot-and sun care products. 

Pharma: Sustain Release Tablet

Carbomer Aqua SF-1 polymer

Carbomer Aqua SF-1 polymer is a lightly cross-linked acrylate copolymer. It is a novel, liquid, acrylic rheology modifier designed to suspend, stabilize, thicken, and enhance the appearance of surfactant-based personal cleansing products and soap-based cleansing systems. It is a cost-effective and easy-to-use product that provides exceptional clarity around neutral pH. Carbomer Aqua SF-1 polymer is the gold standard for thickening and suspension of surfactant systems with more than 10% active surfactants.

CARMOBER POLYMER	Polymerization monomer	Carbomer Product Type	Viscosity, cP (0.5 wt% at pH 7.5)
Carbomer Aqua SF - 1	Ethyl Acrylate	Acrylate copolymer	2500-6000

Features/Benefits

·        Compatible with virtually all commercial nonionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants as well as a wide variety of popular additives

·        Easy-to-use liquid form for lower processing costs

·        Effective over a wide pH range - 3.5 to 10.0 - and provides increased suspending, stabilizing and thickening benefits through "back-acid" formulating

·        Enhances pearlization appearance to improve the visual appeal of pearlizing additives in surfactant-based systems

·        Imparts effective thickening, desirable flow characteristics, and permits the formulation of high clarity systems of shampoos, body washes, and other cleansing products

·        Provides exceptional suspending and stabilizing properties in surfactant-based systems, even low viscosity formulations

Applications

• Facial Cleansers
• Hand Soap
• Intimate Cleansers
• Mild Cleansers
• Wipes
• Hand wash
• Face wash
• Hand sanitizer
• Cream
• Shampoo 

Primary Functions

• Suspending Agent
• Suspending Agent

Carbomer Aqua SF-2 polymer

INCI Name: Acrylates Crosspolymer-4

Carbomer Aqua SF-2 polymer is an acrylates crosspolymer, liquid rheology modifier for high clarity surfactant cleansing formulations at moderately low pH (range 4 to 6) while also providing elegant flow, viscosity build, and suspension of eye-catching insoluble ingredients. It enables formulations to use food grade preservatives such as sodium benzoate. Offering high clarity and superior suspension in the 4 to 6 pH range, formulators can display colorful beads, sparkling pearls, and exfoliating scrubs while also enabling "preservative-free" and "skin neutral pH" claims in clear bath gels, shampoos, and cleansers. 

CARMOBER POLYMER	Polymerization monomer	Carbomer Product Type	Viscosity, cP (0.5 wt% at pH 7.5)
Carbomer Aqua SF - 2	Ethyl Acrylate	Acrylate copolymer	47000-67000

Features/Benefits

• Builds formulations that have exceptional suspension power, enabling striking visuals and other benefits
• Easy-to-use liquid form for lower processing costs
• Elegant rheology with smooth, honey-like flow
• Enhances pearlization appearance to improve the visual appeal of pearlizing additives in surfactant-based systems
• Excellent clarity in low pH applications allowing for appearance versatility
• High suspension and stabilization of insoluble ingredients enabling formulation versatility
• Very clear surfactant formulations at pH 4 to 6 allowing for natural preservatives to be used

Applications

• Facial Cleansers
• Hand Soap
• Intimate Cleansers
• Mild Cleansers
• Wipes
• Hand wash
• Face wash
• Hand sanitizer
• Cream
• Shampoo 

Primary Functions

• Rheology Modifier
• Suspending Agent
• Suspending Agent