Carbopol Polymer Products

Carbopol Polymer Products

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: acrylic acid crosslinked with allyl sucrose or allyl pentaerythritol
Carbopol copolymers: 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 Overview and Recommendations
Polymerization Solvent Product Type

Carbop Benzene Ethyl Cosolve Homopol Copolym Inte Viscosity, cP

ol Poly Acetate nt1 ymer er rpol (0.5 wt% at pH
mer ym 7.5)
er

71G NF 4,000 - 11,000

971P NF 4,000 - 11,000

 Polymerization Solvent Product Type

974P NF 29,400 -
39,400

980 NF 40,000 -
60,000

981 NF 4,000 - 10,000

5984 EP 30,500 -
39,400

ETD 47,000 -
2020 NF 77,0002

Ultrez 10 45,000 -
NF 65,000

934 NF 30,500 -
39,400

934P NF 29,400 -
39,400

940 NF 40,000 -
60,000

941 NF 4,000 - 10,000

1342 NF 9,500 - 26,5002

1
Cosolvent system made using cyclohexane and ethyl acetate
 Polymerization Solvent Product Type
2
1.0 wt%
Carbopol homopolyers are polymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with allyl sucrose or allyl
pentaerythritol
Carbopol copolymers are polymers of acrylic acid and C10-C30 alkyl acrylate
crosslinked with allyl pentaerythritol
Carbopol 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, Lubrizol

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 Carbopol 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 Carbopol polymers may be suitable alternatives.
Benzene Grade Recommended Non-Benzene Carbopol or
Carbopol Polymer Pemulen Polymers

Carbopol
934 NF Carbopol
5984 EP and Ultrez 10 NF polymers
polymer

Carbopol
934P NF Carbopol
974P NF polymer
polymer
Carbopol
940 NF Carbopol
980 NF and Ultrez 10 NF polymers
polymer

Carbopol
941 NF Carbopol
71G NF, 971P NF and 981 NF polymers
polymer

Carbopol
1342 NF Pemulen
TR-1 and TR-2 NF polymers
polymer

Carbopol Products for Oral Pharmaceutical Applications

Solid
Dosage
Carbopol Poly Suspensi Bioadhesive Roller- Wet Direct
mer ons Formulations Compaction Granulation Compression

71G NF

971P NF

974P NF

934P NF

Carbopol Products for Oral Care Applications

Carbopol Polymer Toothpaste Mouthwash

971P NF
Carbopol Polymer Toothpaste Mouthwash

974P NF

ETD 2020 NF

980 NF

956

Also see Carbopol and Pemulen Products for Topical Applications

2017 The Lubrizol Corporation

Carbopol and Pemulen Products for Topical

Applications
Comparison Overview of Carbopol and Pemulen Polymers for Topical Applications

Self Wetting Polymers Ultrez 10 NF

Ethyl Acetate Polymers 974P NF 971P NF

Cosolvent Polymers 5984 EP 980 NF 981 NF

TR-1 NF,
TR-2 NF 1,
ETD 2020
NF

Traditional Polymers2 934 NF, 940 NF 941 NF 1342 NF

 934P NF

Properties in a Formulated Application

Flow Characteristics Short Short Short Very Short Long Long

Relative Viscosity High High High Very High Low Medium

Suspending Ability High High High High High High

(yield value)

Mucilage Clarity High Medium Medium High High High

Relative Ion Tolerance Low Low Low Low Medium High

Relative Shear Tolerance3 Medium Medium High High Low Low

Applications

Clear Gels

Hydroalcoholic Gels

Lotions

Creams

Surfactants Systems

High Electrolyte Systems

1
Pemulen Polymers (Pemulen TR-1 NF and TR-2 NF). All other products noted in the table belong to the
Carbopol polymer product family.
2
Traditional polymers are synthesized in benzene. The Carbomers Monograph in the European Pharmacopeia stipulates
that benzene is limited to 2 ppm.
3
Prolonged exposure to high shear should be avoided for all carbomers.

Pemulen TR-2 NF Polymer

Suitable applications for Pemulen TR-2 NF: Topical
Residual solvent for Pemulen TR-2 NF: Cosolvent mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane
Pemulen TR-2 NF polymer is a primary oil-in-water emulsifier which can emulsify up to 50% oil by weight. It is an
emulsion former, not an emulsion stabilizer like many of the Carbopol polymers. Pemulen TR-2 NF polymer can enable
formulation of permanent emulsions at very low use levels of the polymer (less than 0.3 wt.%), even at elevated
temperatures, without the use of irritating surfactants. Emulsions based on Pemulen polymers deposit an occlusive
layer on the skin, delivering the topical medication in the form of low-irritancy lotions and creams with elegant skin feel.
Pemulen TR-2 NF polymer can also be used for high-clarity topical gels with ionic components.