Maleic anhydride-methyl vinyl ether copolymer

Maleic anhydride-methyl vinyl ether copolymer (CAS 9011-16-9), commercially known as PVM/MA copolymer, is an alternating copolymer used as a rheology modifier, dispersant, and surface-active binder.

Where is Maleic anhydride-methyl vinyl ether copolymer used?

• Coatings and adhesives: film-forming binder and adhesion promoter, improving substrate wetting and coating uniformity on difficult surfaces
• Home care and industrial cleaning: suspends particulates, stabilizes emulsions, prevents soil redeposition on hard surfaces
• Textile and paper processing: sizing agent and surface modifier, reactivity with fiber hydroxyl groups improves strength and printability
• Personal care-adjacent industrial applications: thickener and film former in hair fixative and topical delivery systems
• Reactive anhydride groups allow crosslinking or functionalization on contact with amines, alcohols, or water.

Good to know: Both anhydrous and half-ester variants are commercially available; the hydrolyzed form offers water solubility.

Commercial specifications

• Range of molecular weight grades
• Viscosity specifications differentiate performance tiers