Products Description of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CAS#9004-32-4
Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC), alternatively referred to as cellulose gum, is a key anionic cellulose ether modified via carboxymethylation. This polymeric substance is synthesized by reacting natural cellulose with sodium hydroxide and monochloroacetic acid, yielding anionic polymers with molecular weights spanning from several thousand to millions.
CMC presents as white or milky-white fibrous powder or granular particles, with a bulk density of 0.5–0.7 g/cm³. The material is practically odorless, tasteless and moisture-absorbent. It can disperse rapidly in water to form clear colloidal solutions, yet it is insoluble in organic solvents including ethanol. A standard 1% CMC aqueous solution features a pH value between 6.5 and 8.5, delivering the best comprehensive performance under neutral conditions near pH 7. Its viscosity will drop remarkably when the pH value goes above 10 or below 5.
This chemical possesses excellent thermal stability. Its solution viscosity rises sharply at temperatures below 20 °C and changes mildly at 45 °C. Nevertheless, long-term heating at temperatures exceeding 80 °C will cause colloidal denaturation, resulting in decreased viscosity and weakened functional properties. CMC maintains stable performance in alkaline environments, whereas it is prone to hydrolysis under acidic circumstances. Precipitation phenomenon may occur when the solution pH drops to 2–3 or when multivalent metal salts are added to the system.
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Chemical Properties
| Melting point | 274 °C (dec.) |
| density | 1,6 g/cm3 |
| FEMA | 2239 | CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE |
| storage temp. | room temp |
| solubility | H2O: 20 mg/mL, soluble |
| form | low viscosity |
| pka | 4.30(at 25℃) |
| color | White to light yellow |
| PH | pH (10g/l, 25℃) 6.0～8.0 |
| Odor | Odorless |
| PH Range | 6.5 - 8.5 |
| Water Solubility | soluble |
| Merck | 141829 |
| Stability: | Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (9004-32-4) |
| Risk Statements | 40 |
| Safety Statements | 24/25 |
| WGK Germany | 1 |
| RTECS | FJ5950000 |
| F | 3 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 698 °F |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HS Code | 39123100 |
| Toxicity | LD50 oral in rabbit: > 27gm/kg |
Product Application of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CAS#9004-32-4
Sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) is capable of serving as viscosity-building agent, stabilizing additive and emulsifying agent for multiple industrial sectors.
Food-Related Utilization:
Food-grade CMC boasts outstanding capabilities in thickening, emulsification, mould-keeping, moisture retention and system stabilization. Incorporating this ingredient into food-stuff helps cut manufacturing expenses, optimize finished-product quality, enrich taste characteristics and prolong storage duration. Being a practical food processing aid, it finds broad deployment within solid-liquid drinks, tinned goods, confectionery, baked snacks, processed meat, cookies, instant noodles, fast-cook meals, frozen sweets, soya-bean milk, yoghurt, peanut beverage, fruit tea and fruit juice. Its operating approaches and adding-in quantity should be adjusted according to different food varieties.
Medical-Grade Deployment:
As one kind of polysaccharide substance, CMC features favourable biological compatibility and degradable traits, which makes it a commonly-adopted raw material in the pharmaceutical-making field.
