Acrylic Acid
The simplest unsaturated carboxylic-acid monomer supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the glacial-grade feedstock behind superabsorbent polymers, water treatment chemicals and acrylate ester production — exported from Indonesia in inhibited drums and ISO tanks with full batch documentation.
What Acrylic Acid is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a reactive vinyl carboxylic acid, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Acrylic acid pairs a vinyl double bond with a carboxylic acid group on the same three-carbon backbone. The vinyl group makes it a highly reactive radical-polymerisation monomer, while the acid group gives its polymers strong water affinity and lets it be esterified into the whole family of acrylate esters used in coatings, adhesives and textile finishing.
At room temperature it is a colourless, corrosive liquid with a sharp, acrid odour, fully miscible with water and most polar organic solvents. Like other reactive vinyl monomers it is shipped inhibited against premature polymerisation and requires temperature-controlled storage, since the glacial grade can also freeze and crystallise below about 13 °C.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Acrylic acid's single largest use is as the monomer for sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymer (SAP) used in diapers and hygiene products, and as the backbone for polyacrylate and acrylic-ester homopolymers and copolymers used in paints, adhesives, coatings and flocculants. It is also the parent compound from which specialty acrylamido monomers such as ATBS are synthesised for water-treatment and oilfield applications.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Acrylic Acid in glacial grade (99.5%+ assay, inhibited with hydroquinone monomethyl ether or an equivalent stabiliser) suitable for SAP, polyacrylate, acrylate-ester and specialty-monomer manufacture, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Acrylic Acid is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Acrylic acid is manufactured almost exclusively by the two-stage catalytic oxidation of propylene: propylene is first oxidised to acrolein, then acrolein is further oxidised to acrylic acid, both steps run over mixed metal-oxide catalysts in fixed-bed reactors: CH₂=CHCH₃ + 1.5 O₂ → CH₂=CHCOOH + H₂O (net). The crude acid is then purified by extraction and distillation to glacial grade.
Why the two-stage propylene oxidation process is universal
Running the oxidation in two controlled catalytic stages, through the acrolein intermediate, gives much higher overall selectivity to acrylic acid than a single-step oxidation would, which is why this route has been the dominant commercial process since it was first commercialised and remains essentially the only route used at scale today.
Industries and processes that use it
Acrylic Acid is consumed across hygiene, coatings, water-treatment and specialty-monomer manufacture, where its combination of vinyl reactivity and acid functionality is the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP)
Neutralised and polymerised to sodium polyacrylate, the superabsorbent polymer used in diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine hygiene articles.
Acrylate Ester & Polyacrylate Resins
Esterified to methyl, ethyl, butyl and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, then polymerised into coatings, adhesives, textile finishes and plastics-additive resins.
Water Treatment Polymers
Copolymerised into polyacrylate and polyacrylamide flocculants and scale inhibitors used in municipal and industrial water treatment.
Specialty Monomer Synthesis
A key starting material for specialty acrylamido monomers such as ATBS, used in oilfield, water-treatment and personal-care polymer formulation.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The conjugated vinyl-acid system governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Acrylic Acid is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Free-Radical Polymerisation
A radical initiator opens the vinyl double bond and propagates a growing polyacrylic-acid chain, the basis of superabsorbent polymer and polyacrylate resin manufacture.
Fischer Esterification
The carboxylic acid group condenses with an alcohol under acid catalysis to form an acrylate ester, the route to methyl, ethyl and butyl acrylate.
Neutralisation
Reacted with sodium hydroxide to form sodium acrylate before polymerisation, giving the superabsorbent sodium polyacrylate network used in hygiene products.
Catalytic Oxidation (Upstream)
Propylene is oxidised in two catalytic stages, via acrolein, to form acrylic acid itself, the first and essentially only industrial route in the whole chain.
Acrylic Acid against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Acrylic Acid for hygiene, coatings, water-treatment or specialty-monomer manufacture often need a related vinyl monomer. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Acid | 79-10-7 | Vinyl carboxylic acid monomer | The product on this page — the feedstock for SAP, polyacrylates, acrylate esters and specialty monomers. |
| Acrylonitrile | 107-13-1 | Vinyl nitrile monomer | A related propylene-derived vinyl monomer — see its product page. |
| ATBS | 5165-97-9 | Specialty acrylamido monomer | A specialty sulfonic-acid monomer synthesised from acrylic acid chemistry — see its product page. |
| Maleic Anhydride | 108-31-6 | Unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydride | Another reactive unsaturated acid-chemistry intermediate — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Acrylic Acid.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Harmful if inhaled.
Flammable liquid and vapour.
May cause respiratory irritation.
Chemical-resistant gloves, face shield or splash goggles and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection are mandatory for routine handling.
Avoid all skin and eye contact; this material causes severe, deep burns on direct exposure.
Can polymerise exothermically if the inhibitor is depleted or the material is exposed to excess heat or contamination — monitor inhibitor level in storage.
Danger — GHS02 flammable, GHS05 corrosive and GHS07 irritant pictograms apply.
This compound is corrosive and causes severe skin burns and eye damage, is harmful if inhaled, and may cause respiratory irritation. It is also a flammable liquid that can polymerise exothermically if its inhibitor is depleted. It must be handled only with chemical-resistant gloves, a face shield or splash-proof eye protection, and adequate ventilation. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool area above about 13 °C to prevent the glacial acid from freezing and crystallising, out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, strong bases and oxidizing agents, in tightly closed original packaging with the specified minimum oxygen headspace to keep the inhibitor effective. Only trained personnel using proper PPE should handle this corrosive material. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check inhibitor level, assay and colour before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Acrylic Acid leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Acrylic Acid shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Acrylic Acid used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Acrylic Acid?+
03How is Acrylic Acid made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Acrylic Acid hazardous?+
06Why does Acrylic Acid need to be kept warm in storage?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply ATBS and Acrylonitrile as well?+
Need Acrylic Acid on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.