Carbopol
Carbopol refers to a family of high molecular weight, crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymers developed by BF Goodrich and marketed under the Carbopol trademark by Lubrizol. These polymers act as thickening, suspending, emulsifying, and stabilizing agents in cosmetics, personal care products, and pharmaceutical formulations. They are commonly used as rheology modifiers to adjust viscosity and provide texture.
In water, carbopol particles swell; when the polymer is neutralized with a base such as triethanolamine or
Preparation and use: Powdered Carbopol is dispersed slowly in water with high-shear mixing to prevent clumping,
Grades: Multiple grades exist (e.g., Carbopol 934, 940, 980, with newer Ultrez or permanently crosslinked variants),
Safety and regulation: Carbopol polymers are widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and are considered safe