TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

TDS-730
Edition: August 13, 2010
Original Date: November 24, 2009 / January 27, 2010

Viscosity of Carbopol®* Polymers in

Aqueous Systems
Introduction
Carbopol® polymers can be used to develop semisolid and oral liquid formulations with a wide range of flow
and rheological properties (Figure 1). The polymers are highly efficient thickeners, suspending agents and
stabilizers at low usage levels (0.1 - 3.0 wt%).
Figure 1: Flow Properties of Carbopol® Polymers, Neutralized Dispersions

Polymer Crosslink Density: High/Medium Low

Flow Property: Short Long (Pourable)

All Carbopol® polymers are high molecular weight, crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymers. The main
differences among the polymers are the crosslinker type and density and solvent used to synthesize the
polymer. A description of the polymers featured in this document is shown in Tables 1A and 1B. Please
refer to Bulletin 1- Polymers for Pharmaceutical Applications for a complete list of polymers.

Table 1A: Carbopol® Polymers Overview

Carbopol® Recommended Polymerization Crosslink

Polymer Type Aqueous Gel Viscosity
Polymer Applications Solvent Density
971P NF Oral / Topical Ethyl Acetate Homopolymer Low Low
974P NF Oral / Topical Ethyl Acetate Homopolymer Medium Medium - high
980 NF Topical Cosolvent1 Homopolymer High Very high
5984 EP Topical Cosolvent Homopolymer Medium Medium - high
ETD 2020 NF Topical Cosolvent Interpolymer Medium Medium - high
Ultrez 10 NF Topical Cosolvent Interpolymer High Very high
1
Cosolvent is a mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane.

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Viscosity of Carbopol® Polymers in Aqueous Systems
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Table 1B: Compendial Status of Polymers

Product Trade Name United States USP/NF* Europe (Ph. Eur.) Japan (JPE) 1
Carbopol® 971P NF Polymer Carbomer Homopolymer Type A Carbomers Carboxyvinyl Polymer
Carbopol® 974P NF Polymer Carbomer Homopolymer Type B Carbomers Carboxyvinyl Polymer
Carbopol® 980 NF Polymer Carbomer Homopolymer Type C Carbomers Carboxyvinyl Polymer
Carbopol® 5984 EP Polymer Carbomer Homopolymer Type B Carbomers Carboxyvinyl Polymer
Carbopol® ETD 2020 NF Polymer Carbomer Interpolymer Type B --- ---
Carbopol® Ultrez 10 NF Polymer Carbomer Interpolymer Type A --- ---
* USP/NF after 2006

Brookfield Viscosity of Carbopol® Polymer Dispersions

Carbopol® polymers must be neutralized in order to achieve maximum viscosity. Once a neutralizer is
added to the dispersion, thickening gradually occurs. Maximum viscosity is typically achieved at a pH of
6.0 - 7.0.

The viscosity of Carbopol® polymers will begin to decrease at a pH of 9.0 and higher. This is caused by the
presence of excess electrolytes which affect the electrostatic repulsion of the ionized carboxylic groups. In
order to obtain high viscosity at pH values below 5 and above 9, an increased concentration of Carbopol®
polymer is recommended. Additionally, use of a low concentration of polymer at low pH values should be
avoided in an effort to achieve a robust formulation.

Brookfield viscosity measurements were obtained for aqueous dispersions of several Carbopol® polymers
at concentrations of 0.2 - 2.0 wt. %. The general behavior of each polymer is shown in Figures 2 - 7 based
on the data for one lot of each polymer. The dispersions were tested as prepared (conventionally
represented as pH 3.0) or after neutralization with sodium hydroxide solution to pH 4.0 - 7.0. An increase
in polymer concentration results in an increase in viscosity. In general, a pH plateau is achieved more
readily with higher concentrations of Carbopol® polymers.

Figure 2: Effect of pH and Concentration on the Viscosity of Carbopol® 971P NF Polymer Dispersion

15000
0.2% 971P NF
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

0.5% 971P NF
12000 1.0% 971P NF
2.0% 971P NF

9000

6000

3000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH

1
Based on customer request, Lubrizol certifies select lots of product against the JPE Carboxyvinyl Polymer Monograph
 TDS-730
Viscosity of Carbopol® Polymers in Aqueous Systems
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Figure 3: Effect of pH and Concentration on the Viscosity of Carbopol® 974P NF Polymer Dispersion

100000
0.2% 974P NF
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

0.5% 974P NF
80000 1.0% 974P NF
2.0% 974P NF

60000

40000

20000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH

Figure 4: Effect of pH and Concentration on the Viscosity of Carbopol® 980 NF Polymer Dispersion

100000
0.2% 980 NF
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

0.5% 980 NF
80000 1.0% 980 NF
2.0% 980 NF

60000

40000

20000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH
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Viscosity of Carbopol® Polymers in Aqueous Systems
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Figure 5: Effect of pH and Concentration on the Viscosity of Carbopol® 5984 EP Polymer Dispersion

75000
0.2% 5984 EP
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

0.5% 5984 EP
60000 1.0% 5984 EP
2.0% 5984 EP

45000

30000

15000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH

Figure 6: Effect of pH and Concentration on the Viscosity of Carbopol® ETD 2020 NF Polymer Dispersion

120000
0.2% ETD 2020 NF
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

0.5% ETD 2020 NF

100000
1.0% ETD 2020 NF
2.0% ETD 2020 NF
80000

60000

40000

20000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH
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Figure 7: Effect of pH and Concentration on the Viscosity of Carbopol® Ultrez 10 NF Polymer Dispersion

120000
0.2% Ultrez 10 NF
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

0.5% Ultrez 10 NF
100000
1.0% Ultrez 10 NF
2.0% Ultrez 10 NF
80000

60000

40000

20000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH

A comparison of the viscosity of 1.0 wt. % aqueous dispersions of several topical grades of Carbopol®
polymers is shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8: Effect of Polymer Type on the Viscosity of 1.0% Dispersions – Topical Products

75000
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

1.0% 980 NF
1.0% Ultrez 10 NF
60000
1.0% ETD 2020 NF
1.0% 5984 EP
45000

30000

15000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH
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Viscosity of Carbopol® Polymers in Aqueous Systems
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The effect of polymer type and concentration on the viscosity at pH 6.0 is represented in Figure 9 for
several topical grades of Carbopol® polymers.

Figure 9: Effect of Polymer Type and Concentration on the Viscosity at pH 6.0 – Topical Products

120000
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

980 NF
100000 Ultrez 10 NF
ETD 2020 NF
80000 5984 EP

60000

40000

20000

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
concentration (%)

A comparison of the viscosity of oral grade Carbopol® 971P NF and 974P NF polymers at various pH levels
and concentrations is shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Effect of pH and Concentration on the Viscosity of Carbopol® 971P NF and 974P NF Polymer Dispersions

100000 0.2% 971P NF

0.5% 971P NF
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

1.0% 971P NF
80000 2.0% 971P NF
0.2% 974P NF
0.5% 974P NF
60000 1.0% 974P NF
2.0% 974P NF

40000

20000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH
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Viscosity of Carbopol® Polymers in Aqueous Systems
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Unneutralized dispersions as prepared have an approximate pH range of 2.5 - 3.5 depending on the
polymer concentration. The unneutralized dispersions have very low viscosities as shown in Figure 11,
especially for Carbopol® Ultrez 10 NF polymer and Carbopol® ETD 2020 NF polymers.

Carbopol® Ultrez 10 NF polymer and Carbopol® ETD 2020 NF polymers provide excellent versatility in
processing for topical formulations. Their unique dispersion performance allows the polymers to wet
quickly, yet hydrate slowly. This minimizes agglomeration, which can be a problem if turbulent mixing is
not available during dispersion. Compared with traditional Carbopol® polymers, Carbopol® Ultrez and ETD
polymers provide dispersions in water that are much lower in viscosity prior to neutralization which enables
easier handling in mixing tanks and process lines. Once the polymers are neutralized, they are highly
efficient thickeners.

Figure 11: Effect of Polymer Type and Concentration on the Viscosity of Dispersions as Prepared

7500
971P NF
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

974P NF
6000
980 NF
Ultrez 10 NF
4500 ETD 2020 NF
5984 EP

3000

1500

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
concentration (%)

In aqueous systems, inorganic bases, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or low molecular
weight amines and alkanolamines will provide satisfactory neutralization. Figure 12 shows similar
thickening efficiencies when sodium hydroxide and triethanolamine are used to neutralize a 0.5 wt%
aqueous dispersion of Carbopol® 980 NF polymer. No significant differences are expected if potassium
hydroxide is used for neutralization.
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Figure 12: Effect of Neutralizer Type on the Viscosity of 0.5% Carbopol® 980 NF Dispersion

50000
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

Sodium hydroxide (18%)

40000 Triethanolamine (99%)

30000

20000

10000

0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
pH

Electrolytes tend to reduce the viscosity of Carbopol® polymer based gels. Therefore, a higher
concentration of polymer should be used to minimize the viscosity loss. In general, the viscosity of lightly
crosslinked Carbopol® polymer systems is less affected by electrolytes than highly crosslinked Carbopol®
polymers. (Figure 13).

Figure 13: Effect of Salt on the Viscosity of 1.0% Carbopol® 971P NF and 974P NF Polymer Dispersions at pH 6.0

75000
Brookfield viscosity @ 20 rpm (mPa*s)

971P NF
60000
974P NF

45000

30000

15000

0
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5
% NaCl
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Brookfield Yield Value of Carbopol® Polymer Dispersions

Carbopol® polymers are unique in that they provide a wide range of viscosity profiles and have very high
yield values, even at low concentrations. These combined features enable the formulation of oral or topical
suspensions that are stable with low levels of polymer.

Yield value is more important than viscosity when determining suspending ability of a vehicle. While
viscosity can only slow down the rate of sedimentation, a high yield value is necessary to create permanent
suspensions.

While all Carbopol® polymers are efficient suspending agents, medium/highly crosslinked polymers have
higher yield value than lightly crosslinked polymers such as Carbopol® 971P NF polymer (Figure 14).
Refer to TDS-244 to calculate a theoretical yield value for a suspension.

Figure 14: Effect of Polymer Type on the Brookfield Yield Value of Carbopol® Polymer Dispersions at pH 6.0

20000 971P NF
974P NF
Brookfield yield value (dynes/cm 2)

980 NF
15000 Ultrez 10 NF
ETD 2020 NF
5984 EP
10000

5000

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
concentration (%)

The data included represents one lot of each polymer in an aqueous system. The performance of the
polymers in other conditions (alternative vehicles, coexcipients and active pharmaceutical ingredients)
might be different. It is recommended that key performance properties be ascertained and regulatory
considerations be taken into account in the process of formulation development.

Carbopol® polymers have been used in a variety of commercial liquid and semisolid formulations containing
the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) noted in Table 2. These APIs have been incorporated in a
variety of dosage forms: solutions, suspensions, emulsions, lotions, creams, gels and toothpaste for
peroral or topical administration (skin, mucosa - oral, ophthalmic, nasal, rectal, vaginal).
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Table 2: Commercial Liquid and Semisolid Formulations Containing Carbopol® Polymers

z Adapalene z Estriol z Naftifine hydrochloride

z Aescin z Etofenamate z Nepafenac
z Allantoin z Eucalyptus oil z Nevirapine
z Amorolfine hydrochloride z Extracts (Capsicum, Arnica) z Nonoxynol 9
z Azelaic acid z Fluocinonide z Nystatin
z Benzocaine z Fluorouracil z Octyl methoxycinnamate
z Benzoyl peroxide z Fusidic acid z Permethrin
z Betamethasone dipropionate z Ganciclovir z Polidocanol)
z Betaxolol hydrochloride z Glycerin z Prilocaine
z Brinzolamide z Heparin sodium z Progesterone
z Ciclopirox z Hydrocortisone z Retinol palmitate
z Clarithromycin z Hydroquinone z Rimexolone
z Clindamycin z Hydroxyethylsalicylate z Simethicone
z Clobetasol propionate z Ichthammol z Sodium alginate
z Clocortolone pivalate/ hexanoate z Indomethacin z Sodium fluoride
z Clotrimazole z Isotretinoin z Sodium hyaluronate
z Crotamiton z Ketoconazole z Testosterone
z Cyclosporine z Ketoprofen z Thioridazine
z Dexamethasone z Lidocaine z Timolol maleate
z Dexpanthenol z Menthol z Tretinoin
z Domperidone z Mesalamine z Tyrothricin
z Diclofenac z Methyl salicylate z Urea
z Diethylamin-Salicylate z Metronidazole
z Estradiol z Miconazole nitrate