Products
Carbopol® Polymers
Products within the Carbopol® 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.
- Carbopol® homopolymers (homopolymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with allyl sucrose or allyl pentaerythritol)
- Carbopol® copolymers (copolymers of acrylic acid and C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosslinked with allyl pentaerythritol)
Numerous enhancements have been made to the Carbopol 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 Carbopol® Ultrez polymers to provide greater versatility in formulating and processing.
Product Advantages
Carbopol polymers provide formulators with the ability to develop topical products with a wide range of flow and rheological properties when used at low concentrations. They are exceptional thickeners, suspending agents and stabilizers.
Carbopol polymers can be used as a matrix ingredient in tablets and capsules at general use levels of 5 – 30% wt. to achieve controlled release of actives. Additionally, Carbopol polymers can be used as tablet binders for immediate release applications at general use levels of 0.50 – 3% wt.