Acrylic Acid
The core monomer behind superabsorbent polymers, acrylate esters, coatings, adhesives and water-treatment polymers — built on the oxidation of propylene.
Chelora Chemicals supplies glacial and technical-grade acrylic acid to SAP, polymer and coatings manufacturers worldwide, with temperature-controlled, inhibitor-stabilised handling.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 79-10-7
- IUPAC name
- Prop-2-enoic acid
- Molecular formula
- C₃H₄O₂
- Molecular weight
- 72.06 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 141 °C
- Melting point
- 13-14 °C
- UN Number
- UN 2218
- HS Code
- 2916 11
Note: Glacial acrylic acid solidifies near ambient temperature and is shipped inhibitor-stabilised, often with heated or insulated logistics. Confirm requirements with your regulatory affairs team.
What AA is used for
Acrylic Acid (AA) is a colourless, corrosive liquid with a sharp, acrid odour, fully miscible with water and most polar organic solvents. Commercial "glacial" acrylic acid solidifies just below room temperature and is produced industrially by the two-stage catalytic oxidation of propylene via acrolein.
AA's single largest use is as the monomer for superabsorbent polymers (SAP), partially neutralised and polymerised into the sodium polyacrylate used in diapers, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products. It is also esterified into acrylate esters (methyl, ethyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate) that are polymerised into emulsion and solution polymers for paints, coatings, adhesives, textiles and water-treatment flocculants.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Propylene the feedstock, oxidised in two stages via acrolein to acrylic acid. See that page.
- Acrylic Acid (this product) the monomer for superabsorbent polymers and the feedstock for acrylate esters.
- Acrylate Esters downstream esters (methyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate) made by esterifying AA with the corresponding alcohol.
Handling character
AA is corrosive, flammable and reacts exothermically if not kept inhibited. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless liquid (glacial grade solidifies near 13 °C) |
| Assay | 99.5% min (glacial grade) |
| Water content | < 0.3% |
| MEHQ inhibitor content | Within producer specification (typ. 180-220 ppm) |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Colourless, corrosive liquid (solid below ~13 °C) |
| Boiling point | 141 °C |
| Melting point | 13-14 °C |
| Density | 1.051 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Fully miscible |
| Flash point | ~50 °C (combustible) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 79-10-7 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put AA to work
The monomer behind absorbent hygiene products, water-based coatings and performance adhesives.
Superabsorbent polymers (SAP)
Partially neutralised and polymerised into sodium polyacrylate for diapers and hygiene products.
- Glacial-grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
Acrylate ester production
Esterified with methanol, ethanol, butanol or 2-ethylhexanol into acrylate ester monomers.
- Industrial-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Coatings & paints
Polymerised into acrylic emulsion and solution polymers for architectural and industrial coatings.
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Adhesives & sealants
Used in pressure-sensitive and structural acrylic adhesive formulations.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Water treatment & flocculants
Polymerised into polyacrylate dispersants and flocculants for water and detergent applications.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
SAP and polymer plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Acrylic Acid
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. AA's polymerisation sensitivity and temperature-dependent handling make inhibitor level and thermal logistics critical — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Inhibitor and water content confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream SAP and acrylate-ester polymerisation.
- UN 2218 documentation managed end to end. Classification, labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
- Temperature-controlled logistics arranged where needed. Glacial-grade material is kept above its freezing point or managed through controlled freeze/thaw.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- Glacial and technical grade both sourced. Matched precisely to your SAP, ester or coatings specification.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Drum, tote or bulk tank — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
200-220 kg drums
Steel drums, insulated or heated on request, for smaller-volume orders and trial quantities.
~1,000 litre totes
Returnable or one-way IBC totes sized for mid-volume converter orders.
Temperature-controlled bulk shipment
Heated or insulated ISO tank and flexi-tank bulk shipment for continuous-consumption SAP and polymer plants.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Corrosive & reactive — handle accordingly
AA is corrosive to skin and eyes, flammable, and can polymerise exothermically and violently if the inhibitor is depleted or oxygen is excluded. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H226Flammable liquid and vapour.H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.H331+H301Toxic if inhaled or swallowed.
Never allow the inhibitor to deplete. Maintain adequate dissolved oxygen and inhibitor concentration at all times; uncontrolled polymerisation can be violent. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch.
Storage
Store inhibited material in tightly closed containers above its freezing point (glacial grade) in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from heat, oxidisers and amines/initiators.
Handling
Use acid-resistant gloves, face shield and chemical goggles for liquid transfer. Avoid skin and eye contact and inhalation of vapour; provide adequate ventilation and never store without adequate headspace oxygen or inhibitor.
Transport
Shipped as UN 2218 (Acrylic acid, stabilized), a corrosive, flammable liquid. We confirm and document exact classification for your specific shipment and destination.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Assay, water content and inhibitor level confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How AA is made
AA is produced industrially by the two-stage catalytic gas-phase oxidation of propylene, first to acrolein and then to acrylic acid, over selective metal-oxide catalysts — the dominant commercial route worldwide. The crude acid is then purified and stabilised with a polymerisation inhibitor (typically MEHQ) for storage and transport.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Unsaturated carboxylic acid |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Vinyl group conjugated with a carboxylic acid |
| Reactivity | Free-radical polymerisation; esterifies with alcohols to acrylate esters |
| Related compounds | Propylene, Acrolein (feedstock/intermediate), Acrylate Esters (downstream) |
Explore the wider petrochemical range
Acrylic Acid, answered
What is Acrylic Acid used for?
How is Acrylic Acid made?
Is Acrylic Acid hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
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