Polyacrylamide

Polyacrylamide (CAS 9003-05-8), commonly abbreviated as PAM, is a high-molecular-weight synthetic polymer used primarily as a flocculant and rheology modifier across industrial processes.

Where is Polyacrylamide used?

• Water treatment: accelerates sedimentation and improves sludge dewatering
• Mining: clarifies process water and recovers fine mineral particles from tailings ponds
• Agriculture: reduces erosion and improves water infiltration in irrigation channels and soil surfaces
• Paper and textile manufacturing: retention aid and viscosity modifier that improves fiber distribution and process consistency
• It aggregates suspended solids, colloids, and fine particles into settleable masses for efficient separation in liquid-solid systems.
• Anionic grades clarify inorganic and mineral solids and metal-hydroxide flocs at pH 6–9.
• Cationic grades dewater organic and municipal sludge at pH 4–7.

Good to know: Ionic charge can be anionic, cationic, or nonionic depending on the specific industrial need. Food-contact and potable water grades are available with residual acrylamide monomer content controlled to regulatory thresholds.

Formulation notes

• For cement and anti-washout grout, typically dosed at about 0.02–0.1% by cement weight.

Typical specification

• Nonionic grades typically have a molecular weight of 3,000,000 to 15,000,000 Dalton.
• Water-insolubles are held at 0.5% or below.
• Available as aqueous dispersion, powder and emulsion.
• Most commonly produced as dry granules.

Regulatory status

• NFPA 499 provides recommendations for the classification of combustible dusts, including polyacrylamide, for electrical installations in chemical process areas.

Frequently asked questions about Polyacrylamide

What dosage of cationic polyacrylamide is typical for municipal sludge dewatering?

For municipal sludge dewatering, cationic polyacrylamide is typically dosed at 5–15 kg per ton dry solids.

How is the appropriate polyacrylamide amount determined for a given application?

Preliminary tests such as Jar-test are needed to determine the appropriate polyacrylamide amount to maximize efficacy and minimize waste.

What solid or active content is typical for polyacrylamide forms?

The solid content of the powder is at least 88%, while the active content of emulsion or solution forms is 20–50% depending on the form.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.