ACUSOL 445/445N/445ND

Detergent Polymers for Industrial Machine Dishwash (Warewash)

Description ACUSOL 445 is a homopolymer of acrylic acid with an optimized molecular weight to be used in industrial and institutional detergents. It is supplied in liquid form and available as partially (ACUSOL 445) or fully (ACUSOL 445N) neutralized grades. It is also available in a spray-dried form (ACUSOL 445ND). Typical Properties
These properties are typical but do not constitute specifications.

445 Appearance Grade Average molecular weight (Mw) Total solids (%) Specific gravity (at 25C) pH as is (at 25C) Brookfield Viscosity (mPa.s/cps at 25C) Residual acrylic acid (ppm) Chemistry and Mode of Action Clear solution to slightly yellow Partially neutralized Na form 4500 48 1.24 3.7 650 10

445N Clear solution to slightly yellow Fully neutralized 4500 45 1.32 6.9 800 10

445ND White to tan, free flowing powder Fully neutralized, spray dried 4500 92-94 6.5-7.5

ACUSOL 445 is a homopolymer of acrylic acid with selected molecular weight around 4500 in order to optimize the following properties:
Anti-precipitation: ACUSOL 445 will increase solubility of precipitating salts by threshold effect. This allows

it to reduce in the wash bath precipitation of inorganic salts (carbonates, phosphates, sulphates of Ca and Mg). Crystal distortion: this polymer gets entrapped into crystal lattices, preventing their growth and facilitating their breakage. This minimizes adherence of salts on surfaces and facilitates their elimination by rinsing. Dispersing properties: this polymer is a good dispersant for soils and will help to prevent their redeposition on surfaces in particular glass and dishware. Processing aids: the polymeric and chemical nature of ACUSOL 445 will bring binding properties which can be useful in several detergent manufacturing processes, especially tableting. Benefits ACUSOL 445 is a key ingredient in institutional and industrial cleaners. It might also perform in dishwash detergents. By using this polymer, the detergent manufacturers will enjoy the following advantages:
Inhibition of crystal growth, thus preventing precipitation of carbonates, phosphates, or silicates. Dispersion of precipitates in the cleaning bath to avoid settling and scaling on surfaces and fibers. Improvement of filming maintenance by soil dispersion, which minimizes organic components deposition on

glass and dishwares.

Increase of bleach stability, especially in chlorinated formulations, by binding heavy metals which

destabilize chlorine species through catalytic reactions.

Use in medium alkaline to very alkaline formulations, due to high solubility of ACUSOL 445 in caustic

products. Caustics should be added slowly to a water premix containing polymer to avoid high pH gradients.

Formulating Tips
The builder capacity alone of the formulation in Table 1 will handle 12 grains of water hardness, however,

ACUSOL 445 dispersant extends the range to 20 grains.

Sodium silicate can be used instead of potassium silicate with no adverse effects on the formulation

stability. The use level of sodium silicate (40 Baume) should be reduced to 3.5% in the formulation.
ACUSOL 445 and alkali should be added to water before silicate addition in order to avoid a drop in the pH

that may result in silicate precipitation.

ACUSOL 445ND can be used if working with powder formulations. ACUSOL 445 or ACUSOL 445N can be used interchangeably (0.8 pounds ACUSOL 445 = 1 pound ACUSOL

445N). Polymer choice can depend on what is in customer inventory.

For slurry systems, ACUSOL 445N should be added to water before insoluble builders to aid in solid

suspension/anti-precipitation. Table 1. Chlorinated Liquid Machine Dishwashing Formulation Ingredient Water ACUSOL 445N dispersant (48%) Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (60%) Potassium Hydroxide (45%) Potassium Silicate (Kasil #1) (29.1%) Sodium Hypochlorite (12%)
* Ingredients should be added in the order listed above. Physical Properties: Solids, % pH Density @ 25C, lb/gal Brookfield Viscosity, mPa.s/cps (#4 @ 50 rpm)

Percent as Supplied 29.1 9.5 16.6 22.2 6.0 16.6

Recommended Use Level: 0.2%-0.25% 23.8 13.9

10.2 12.0

Performance Benefits for Institutional Machine Dishwashing Reduced Spotting and Filming of Glassware Problems in machine dishwashing are encountered whenever stress conditions exist, such as low-built detergent or water having high water hardness, high water alkalinity or high total dissolved solids. Soil redeposition and precipitation of calcium salts combine to cause spotting and filming on glassware and associated equipment scaling. The glasses in Figure 1 demonstrate the excellent resistance to spotting and filming achieved with ACUSOL 445 in a typical institutional machine dishwashing formulation. ACUSOL 445 offers the formulator improved performance, in addition to economic advantages, by reducing the level of TKPP needed in the formulation. Figure 1 shows glass A with 20% TKPP with moderate calcium phosphate filming and spotting. Glass B with the TKPP level reduced to 10% shows a reduction in filming but increased spotting. However, Glass C with ACUSOL 445 added shows an outstanding improvement in both filming and spotting.

Chlorine Stability Chlorine release agents are used in machine dishwash formulations. Detergent polymers must have a minimal effect on the available chlorine in the liquid formulation. Figure 2 shows the excellent stability of ACUSOL 445N in a hypochlorite solution compared to a phosphonate and conventional acrylic/maleic copolymer.

Toxicity ACUSOL 445 produces a slight eye and skin irritation in rabbits. The acute oral (LD50) for rats is 5 g/kg and acute dermal (LD50) for rabbits is 5 g/kg. Caustic Solubility The caustic solubility of ACUSOL 445N is outstanding compared to other copolymers and similar to other polyacrylic acid homopolymers, as shown in Figure 3. In general, ACUSOL 445N is soluble up to 35% active caustic solids.

ACUSOL 445 showed a NOEC of 5.6 mg/l in Daphnia magna (the most sensitive aquatic species tested). Acute and chronic toxicity studies showed ACUSOL 445N to be non-toxic to aquatic and terrestrial species studied. Summary of Toxicity Data Ecotoxicity Bacteria sludge O2/glucose consumption (EC50) Algae Scenedesmus (Brown algae, EC10) Daphnia magna acute (48 hr) reproductive (21 days, NOEL) Fish Acute: trout (96 hr, LC50) bluegill sunfish (96 hr, LC50) zebra fish (96 hr, LC50) Chronic: early life stage (fathead minnow NOEL) Plant growth inhibition - corn, soybean, wheat and grass seed (NOEC) Earthworm acute 96 hr (LC50) ACUSOL 445N Polymer >100 mg/l 180 mg/l >1000 mg/l 5.6 mg/l

700 mg/l >1000 mg/l >200 mg/l 56 mg/l

225 mg/kg

>1000 mg/kg soil

Dose Rates To obtain an optimal effectiveness this polymer should be used at levels between 100 and 500 ppm in the wash baths for industrial purposes. This will generally correspond to 2-6 % (as is) in liquid formulation. ACUSOL 445 is designed to be used in phosphate based or phosphate free detergents, the latter based on carbonate, silicate, citrate and NTA. Material Safety Data Sheets Rohm and Haas Company maintains Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on all of its products. These contain important information that you may need to protect your employees and customers against any known health and safety hazards associated with our products. We recommend you obtain copies of MSDS for our products from your local Rohm and Haas technical representative or the Rohm and Haas Company. In addition, we recommend you obtain copies of MSDS from your suppliers of other raw materials used with our products.

ACUSOL is a trademark of Rohm and Haas Company or of its subsidiaries or affiliates. These suggestions and data are based on information we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but without guarantee, as conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control. We recommend that the prospective user determine the suitability of our materials and suggestions before adopting them on a commercial scale. Suggestions for uses of our products or the inclusion of descriptive material from patents and the citation of specific patents in this publication should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any patent or as permission or license to use any patents of the Rohm and Haas Company.

Rohm and Haas, 2008.

All rights reserved.

July 2006 ACUSOL [Link].07/2006