CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE SODIUM

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

H.S. CODE

Oral rat LD50: > 2000mg/kg

CLASSIFICATION

EXTRA NOTES

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

free flowing white to off-white powder

AUTOIGNITION

> 300 C

NFPA RATINGS

REFRACTIVE INDEX

EXTERNAL LINKS & GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Wikipedia Linking

Google Scholar Search

http://class.fst.ohio-state.edu/
SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE Chemistry, Functionality, and Applications

http://cool.conservation-us.org/
This paper concerns the many uses of these two polymers in conservation. Although this information is paper conservation oriented, it may very well be that it can be useful to conservators in other fields. Methylcellulose (MC) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (sod. CMC) have many other uses besides those in conservation. A brief rummage through your medicine cabinet may come up with such products as toothpaste, laxatives, or diet pills each of which may contain either MC or sod. CMC. Other products include ice cream, water-based paints, detergents and a variety of paper products to name but a few. Characteristics which make them useful are: high viscosity in low concentrations, defoaming abilities, surfactant, and bulking abilities. They are not toxic and do not promote allergic reactions in humans. At the end of this paper, I have given more technical information on the composition of the various MCs and sod. CMCs. These cellulose polymers can be purchased in grades ranging from coarse to fine particles and in varying viscosities. In solution, Hercules CMC 7H and Culminal (MC from Talas) are quite clear while Cellofas B3500 from Conservation Materials is hazy.

http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/
Safety Information: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Ethylcellulose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Methyl Ethylcellulose and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose on its list of multipurpose additives allowed to be directly added to food. FDA also permits Cellulose and a number of modified cellulose polymers to be used as indirect food additives. For example, Cellulose, Cellulose Acetate Butryate, Cellulose Acetate Propionate, Cellulose Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose and Methylcellulose can be used in adhesives in contact with food. As substances migrating to food from paper and paperboard products, FDA considers Cellulose Acetate and Ethylcellulose to be Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). The FDA has also approved the use of Cellulose Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose and Methylcellulose for use as ophthalmic demulcents in over-the-counter (OTC) drug products for the eyes. When used in an OTC drug product Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose must be called Hypromellose. The safety of Cellulose, Calcium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Carboxymethyl Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Carboxymethyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cellulose Acetate, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Cellulose Gum, Cellulose Acetate Propionate, Cellulose Acetate Propionate Carboxylate, Cellulose Succinate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Cellulose Gum, Hydroxybutyl Methylcellulose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Methylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Acetate/Succinate, Methylcellulose, Methyl Ethylcellulose, Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Potassium Cellulose Succinate and Sodium Cellulose Sulfate has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as cosmetic ingredients.

Local:
CMC is used primarily in foods, drugs and cosmetics as a viscosifier, emulsion stabilizer, thickener and to improve texture. The main applications of technical grade are in textile warp sizing and paper processing. CMC is also used in detergent as a antiredeposition agent, textile warp-sizing aid, adhesives, latex paints and polishes.

DETERGENT APPLICATION

APPEARANCE

white to off-white powder

VISCOSITY

30cps max (1% sol.)

pH

5 - 9 (1% sol.)

MOISTURE

10.0% max

TRANSPORTATION