What is the critical difference between "Food Grade" and "Detergent Grade" CMC?

Purity and Degree of Substitution (DS). Food Grade CMC (E466) is strictly purified to ensure a minimum purity of 99.5% and low heavy metal content suitable for consumption. Detergent Grade (often Technical Grade), however, typically has a purity of 55-65% (containing sodium chloride and glycolate by-products) and acts specifically as an anti-redeposition agent to keep dirt suspended in wash water, but is unsafe for edible applications.

Does this polymer disperse easily in cold water without forming lumps?

Not naturally. Standard CMC powder is highly hygroscopic and tends to form "fish-eyes" (gel-coated lumps) if added too quickly to water. For industrial efficiency, we recommend using our surface-treated "Instant CMC" grades or pre-blending standard powder with other dry ingredients (like sugar or salt) to physically separate the particles before hydration.

Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) CAS 9004-32-4

Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) CAS 9004-32-4 is a water-soluble anionic polymer chemically defined as the sodium salt of cellulose carboxymethyl ether , functioning primarily as a high-performance thickener, stabilizer, and water-retention agent. Often referred to as "Industrial MSG" due to its versatility, this white fibrous powder is utilized to modify texture in food products (E466), control fluid loss in oil drilling muds, and prevent soil redeposition in detergent formulations. We provide professional access to this material with competitive factory pricing and the ability to meet customized specifications (ranging from ultra-low viscosity to high-viscosity grades) for various manufacturing requirements. Our commitment to technical transparency ensures that every shipment is accompanied by comprehensive MSDS, TDS, COA documentation to support your quality assurance protocols, and we maintain capacity for consistent bulk supply to facilitate large-scale industrial operations.

CAS: 9004-32-4
Synonyms: Cellulose Gum, Sodium CMC, Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt, CMC-Na, E466, Carmellose sodium
Grade: Food Grade (E466), Pharmaceutical Grade, Industrial/Oil Drilling Grade.
Package: 25kg Multi-ply Kraft Paper Bag with PE inner liner or 1000kg Jumbo Bag

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Product Description

1 Physicochemical Properties

2 Applications

3 Quality Assurance (QA/QC)

4 Storage, Handling & Safety

Physicochemical Properties

The following data represents our standard Food Grade / High-Purity Grade specifications, fully compliant with FCC V and GB 1886.232 standards.

Property	Specification	Test Method
Appearance	White to cream free-flowing powder	Visual Inspection
Purity (on dry basis)	≥99.5%	HPLC / Gravimetric
Degree of Substitution (D.S.)	0.7 – 1.2 (Customizable)	ASTM D 1439
Viscosity (1% or 2% Solution)	5 – 10,000 mPa.s (Customizable)	Brookfield LVT
pH Value (1% Solution)	6.0 – 8.5	pH Meter
Loss on Drying	≤10.0%	105°C for 2 hrs
Chlorides (as NaCl)	≤0.5%	Potentiometric Titration
Heavy Metals (as Pb)	≤10ppm	AAS / ICP-MS
Arsenic (As)	≤2ppm	AAS / ICP-MS
Solubility	Soluble in water; Insoluble in ethanol	–

Applications

CMC is a functional powerhouse used across diverse sectors:

1. Food & Beverage (E466):

Stabilizer: Prevents protein precipitation in yogurt and acidic milk drinks.
Thickener: Adds body to sauces, syrups, and dressings without altering flavor.
Water Retention: Extends shelf life in bakery products by retaining moisture.

2. Pharmaceutical & Personal Care:

Excipient: Functions as a binder in tablet formulations and a disintegrant to ensure rapid drug release.
Toothpaste: Provides the structural “backbone” of toothpaste, ensuring smooth extrusion and stability.

3. Oil & Gas Drilling:

Fluid Loss Control: In drilling muds, Technical Grade CMC forms a thin, impermeable filter cake on the borehole wall to prevent water loss into the formation.
Viscosifier: Helps suspend drill cuttings and clean the borehole.

4. Industrial & Detergents:

Anti-Redeposition Agent: In synthetic detergents, CMC prevents dirt from redepositing onto fabrics during the wash cycle.
Paper & Textile: Used for surface sizing and textile warp sizing to improve strength.

Quality Assurance (QA/QC)

Advanced Analysis: We utilize HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) to verify purity levels and strictly monitor heavy metals using ICP-MS.
Consistency Control: While NMR is used for structural R&D verification, our routine batch testing focuses on precise Degree of Substitution (D.S.) uniformity, which directly impacts solubility and salt resistance.
Microbiological Safety: For Food and Pharma grades, every batch is tested for Total Plate Count, Yeast, Mold, and Pathogens (Salmonella/E. Coli) before release.

For another cellulose-based rheology modifier, see Hydroxyethyl Cellulose.

Storage, Handling & Safety

Storage Conditions:

Environment: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse.
Protection: CMC is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture). Keep bags tightly sealed when not in use to prevent caking or degradation.
Stacking: Do not stack pallets too high to prevent compaction of the powder.

Safety Precautions (HSE):

Slipping Hazard: Crucial Warning: CMC powder becomes extremely slippery when wet. In case of a spill, sweep up the dry powder completely before washing the area with water.
PPE Recommendations:
- Respiratory: Use a standard dust mask (N95/P2) during handling to avoid inhaling fine dust.
- Eyes: Safety glasses or goggles are recommended.
- Skin: Wear long sleeves and gloves to minimize skin contact, although CMC is generally non-irritating.

Need a specific viscosity grade or a sample for lab testing?

Our experts are ready to assist with technical data sheets (TDS) and commercial quotations.

👉 Get a Quote: info@industrochem.com

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

Q:
What is the critical difference between "Food Grade" and "Detergent Grade" CMC?

A: Purity and Degree of Substitution (DS). Food Grade CMC (E466) is strictly purified to ensure a minimum purity of 99.5% and low heavy metal content suitable for consumption. Detergent Grade (often Technical Grade), however, typically has a purity of 55-65% (containing sodium chloride and glycolate by-products) and acts specifically as an anti-redeposition agent to keep dirt suspended in wash water, but is unsafe for edible applications.
Q:
Does this polymer disperse easily in cold water without forming lumps?

A: Not naturally. Standard CMC powder is highly hygroscopic and tends to form "fish-eyes" (gel-coated lumps) if added too quickly to water. For industrial efficiency, we recommend using our surface-treated "Instant CMC" grades or pre-blending standard powder with other dry ingredients (like sugar or salt) to physically separate the particles before hydration.

Ordering & Documentation

Key information for document requests, quotations, and supply planning.

Documents

COA, TDS, SDS/MSDS and packing details are available on request.

Quotation

Send the CAS number, grade, quantity, packing preference and destination.

Sample & Supply

Support is available for samples, trial orders, bulk and repeat supply.

Storage & Shipping

Product-specific conditions are confirmed before order.

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