TECHNICAL DATA SHEET - lubrizol.com

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

TDS-769
Edition: January 25, 2012
Previous Edition: December 14, 2010
Original Date: August 24, 2010

Carbopol® Aqua SF-2 Polymer

Product Description: Typical Properties:

Carbopol® Aqua SF-2 polymer is a rheology Properties as Supplied
modifier designed for high clarity surfactant
cleansing formulations at moderately low pH Appearance / Form Milky, White Liquid
(range 4 to 6) while also providing elegant flow,
viscosity build, and suspension of eye-catching Total Solids (wt%) 32
insoluble ingredients.
Viscosity (mPa∙s)** 10
Due to the increasingly negative perception of
paraben and formaldehyde donor type pH 2.7
preservatives, the personal care market is shifting
toward the use of food grade preservatives like 2.5 wt% TS Gel Properties at pH 6.8 to 7.0***
Sodium Benzoate. These natural preservatives
require a pH level near 5.0, which sacrifices Viscosity (mPa∙s)** 6,500
desired formulation clarity and flow properties
when using currently available rheology modifiers. Turbidity (NTU)**** < 10
Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer responds to this
market trend by offering rheology modification that ** Brookfield RVT @ 20 rpm, 25°C
delivers high clarity and superior suspension in the *** Neutralized with NaOH
4 to 6 pH range. This allows formulators to display **** DRT-100B Turbidimeter (HF Scientific)
colorful beads, sparkling pearls, and exfoliating
scrubs while also achieving claims of “paraben- Benefits:
free,” “formaldehyde-free,” “preservative-free,” and
even “skin neutral pH”. • Elegant rheology with smooth, honey-like flow
• Very clear surfactant formulations at pH 4 to 6
Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer is supplied as an • Ideal for use with food grade preservatives such
easy-to-use aqueous dispersion (32% total solids)
that disperses readily in water. as Sodium Benzoate and Sorbic Acid
• High suspending and stabilizing ability
INCI Designation:
 Suspends insoluble ingredients such as
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4 beads, scrubs, mica, silicone, oils,
emollients, etc.

 Stabilizes high oil-loaded skin cleansers
• pH flexibility with Lubrizol’s patent pending

“back-acid” formulating technique
• Broad surfactant compatibility
• Synergistic thickening with salt
• Enhances pearlescent appearance
• Cold-processable, requires no heat and short

mixing time
• Order of addition and processing flexibility
• Provides stability over wide temperature range
• Easy-to-use liquid form
• Compatible with low levels of cationic

conditioning ingredients

Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. / 9911 Brecksville Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44141-3247 / TEL: 800.379.5389 or 216.447.5000

The information contained herein is being furnished combination with other substances or in the User’s process. THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
for informational purposes only, upon the express condition Due to variations in methods, conditions and equipment OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. It is the
that the User makes its own assessment of the appropriate used commercially in processing these materials, no User’s sole responsibility to determine if there are any
use of such information. While the information contained warranties or guarantees are made as to the suitability of issues relating to patent infringement of any component or
herein is believed to be reliable, no representations, the information or products for the applications combination of components relating to the supplied
guarantees or warranties of any kind are made as to its disclosed. Lubrizol shall not be liable and the User information. Nothing contained herein is to be
accuracy, suitability for a particular application or the assumes all risk and responsibility for any use or considered as permission, recommendation, nor as
results to be obtained herefrom. Lubrizol Advanced handling of any material beyond Lubrizol's direct an inducement to practice any patented invention
Materials, Inc. ("Lubrizol") cannot guarantee how any control. LUBRIZOL MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS without permission of the patent owner.
products associated with this information will perform in OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,

For further information, please visit: www.lubrizol.com/personalcare

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© Copyright 2012 / The Lubrizol Corporation

TDS-769
Carbopol® Aqua SF-2 Polymer

Page 2 of 3

Chemistry: Applications:

Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer is a patent • Clear bath gels, shampoos, and cleansers
pending, structured, crosslinked, anionic acrylic • Pearlescent body washes and shampoos
emulsion polymer. It is a crosslinked copolymer • Body scrubs with suspended microcapsules
of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or one or more • Facial scrubs with exfoliating beads
of their simple esters (C1 to C4). The polymer • Anti-acne facial cleansers with salicylic acid
particles are designed to have an increasing • High oil-loaded skin cleansers
cross-linked gradient zone from the inner core to • Conditioning shampoos
the surface. It is supplied in the protonated form
with the polymer molecules coiled inside the Formulating Guidelines:
particles. Upon neutralization, the molecules
ionize and expand into a three dimensional Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer is compatible with
network due to ionic repulsion between the – food grade preservatives, surfactants,
COO groups along the backbone of the polymer. humectants/emollients (such as glycerin,
This mechanism is known as “hydrodynamic” propylene glycol), cationic polymers, oils, and
thickening. The polymer backbone contains an salts as commonly found in personal care
optimized balance of hydrophobic and cleansers. The polymer undergoes instanta-
hydrophilic domains for structuring most neous thickening and builds suspension power
cleansing formulations containing anionic, when neutralized with a base. It is supplied as
amphoteric (zwitterionic), and nonionic a low viscosity emulsion; therefore it can be
surfactants. This unique structured polymer incorporated directly into formulations and is
design enables the creation of high clarity, cold processable.
surfactant-based cleansing products while
maintaining suspension, stabilization, thickening, Recommended Use Level
and desirable rheological properties at a pH 1.0 - 3.0 wt% total solids (3.1 - 9.4 wt% as supplied)
below 6.0 – suitable for food grade preservatives.
Formulation Type Typical
Storage & Handling: Polymer
Traditional clear cleanser, 12-17 Use Level
Packaging: 55 gallon, 480 pound (218 wt% surfactant solids, pH 4-6 2 - 3 wt% TS
kilogram) net weight plastic drums High oil-loaded body wash,
up to 18% stabilized oil 1 - 2.5 wt% TS
Shelf life: 9 months from date of manufacture Low surfactant clear cleanser,
8-10 wt% surfactant solids 3 - 5 wt% TS
Storage temperature: 5-30°C (41-86°F); away
from direct heat and light. DO NOT FREEZE * Recommended pH
4.0 to 6.0 for optimal clarity, viscosity, and
Material Handling: suspension

• Stir material in container prior to use Neutralization
Sodium or potassium hydroxide, ammonium
• For best results, filter prior to use and transfer hydroxide, aminomethyl propanol (AMP), or
with low shear pumps triethanolamine (TEA)

• To prevent "skinning" on surface of the liquid, Recommended Order of Addition
drums should not be opened until used The typical order of addition, when using
Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer in aqueous
• For storage tanks, agitated stainless steel formulations, is outlined below. However, the
storage and mixing tanks are recommended polymer can also be added after adding all
surfactants or at later steps before
* Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer is not neutralization or pH adjustment. Results may
freeze/thaw stable as supplied. The polymer
in finished applications, however, is freeze-
thaw stable.

vary depending on the surfactant base and TDS-769
other formulation ingredients and conditions. Carbopol® Aqua SF-2 Polymer

1. Add Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer to water. Page 3 of 3
2. Add the primary anionic / nonionic
Microbiology:
surfactants.
3. Add secondary surfactants, e.g. Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer is unpreserved as
supplied. Unpreserved samples of Carbopol
Amphoterics. Aqua SF-2 polymer passed Preservative
4. Add neutralizing base targeting pH 6.5 to Efficacy (Challenge Testing) using a “Mixed
Innoculum Preservative Efficacy Test” protocol.
6.8. Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer, when used in a
5. Add other formulation ingredients. formulated system, does not promote or
6. Apply “back-acid” formulating technique†, prevent microbial growth. Normal microbial
testing is recommended for your finished
adding acid to lower pH to desired level. product.
7. If desired, add beads, glitter, mica, etc.
Toxicology:
Formulation Tips
• Back-acid formulating technique optimizes Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer is a high
molecular weight polymer and has low acrylate
performance (first neutralized to ≥ pH 6.5) monomer residuals, providing an excellent
• Formulation clarity increases with polymer toxicity profile. It is recommended for all types
of personal care formulations, including those
concentration above 1 wt% TS for baby care and for sensitive skin. A
• May be formulated with surfactant levels as complete summary of toxicological effects is
available upon request.
low as 8 wt% TS
Genetically Modified Organisms:
†Back-Acid Formulating Technique is a Lubrizol Advanced
Materials, Inc. proprietary process covered globally by one or Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer is prepared solely
more patents and pending applications. from synthetic materials and does not contain,
and is not derived from, GMO or any material of
Formulations Available: plant or animal origin.

CL-B0064 Beaded Clear Antioxidant Body Wash Other General Information:
with Sodium Benzoate
CL-F0028 Exfoliating Anti-Acne Facial Scrub • The Harmonized Tariff System (Schedule B)
CL-B0065 Moisturizing Cream Body Wash with number for Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer is
Sodium Benzoate 3906.90.6000.
SH-0066 Pearlized Conditioning Shampoo with
Sodium Benzoate Other Literature Available:

Please refer to: • Product Brochure (TDS-770)
http://www.lubrizol.com/personalcare/formulations
for the most up to date list of formulations. • Temporary Product Specification

Regulatory Status: • Test Procedures

Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer qualifies as • Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
polymer exempt from TSCA, EINECS and
ELINCS registration. All monomers used in • Toxicological Summary (TOX-172)
Carbopol Aqua SF-2 polymer are listed on
EINECS. As supplied, Carbopol Aqua SF-2 • Microbial Summary (TOX-173)
polymer complies with the European Union
Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC, 7th Amend-
ment. It is not classified or manufactured using
any chemicals designated as carcinogenic,
mutagenic or reproductive toxicant (CMR).
Additional regulatory information is available on
the material safety data sheet.