Technical Information Petrochemicals

TI/CP 1593 e
October 2017 Page 1 of 3

Supersedes edition dated February 2016

Acrylic acid glacial

Unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, for manufacturing polymers and
for use as a feedstock for syntheses

CH2 = CH–C–OH CAS No.: 79-10-7

EINECS No.: 210-177-9
O

C3H4O2 Molar mass: 72.1

Product specification Assay (Gas chromatography) min. 99.5 %

Water content (ASTM E 203) max. 0.1 %
Diacrylic acid content on despatch max. 2000 ppm
(gas chromatography)
Color on dispatch (APHA, ASTM D 1209)
Standard stabilization (HPLC BASF or max. 20
ASTM D 3125) 200 ± 20 ppm MEHQ

The aforementioned data shall constitute the agreed contractual quality of

the product at the time of passing of risk. The data are controlled at regular
intervals as part of our quality assurance program. Neither these data nor
the properties of product specimens shall imply any legally binding guaran-
tee of certain properties or of fitness for a specific purpose and
no liability of ours can be derived therefrom.

Other properties Labelling according

to local Directives
Appearance clear, colorless
Physical form liquid at > 13 °C
Odor pungent
Density at 25 °C 1.046 g/cm3
Refractive index nd at 20 °C 1.418 – 1.422
Boiling point 141 °C
Freezing point approx. 12 °C
Viscosity at 20 °C 1.3 mPa · s
Specific heat of liquid at 20 °C 2.05 kJ/kg °C
Heat of evaporation at boiling point 634 kJ/kg
Heat of polymerization 1079 kJ/kg
Heat of combustion at 25 °C 19085 kJ/kg
Vapor pressure
at 20 °C 3.8 mbar
at 40 °C 13.5 mbar
Temperature rating for electrical
equipment T 2 (300 – 450 °C)
TI/CP 1593 e October 2017 Page 2 of 3 Acrylic acid glacial

Applications Acrylic acid is an unsaturated carboxylic acid. It reacts as a vinyl compound

and as a carboxylic acid. It readily undergoes polymerization and addition
reactions. It can be used as a carboxylic acid to produce acrylic esters,
acrylamide, N-substituted acrylamides and acrylyl chloride by common
methods.

Copolymers can be produced with acrylic and methacrylic esters, acrylo-

nitrile, maleic acid esters, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride,
styrene, butadiene and ethylene.

Homopolymers of acrylic acid and copolymers which contain a preponder-

ance of acrylic acid have a glassy consistency and are frequently soluble in
water. They can be used in the form of their free acids and ammonium and
alkali salts in many different applications, such as thickeners, dispersing
agents, flocculants, protective colloids for stabilizing emulsions and polymer
dispersions, wetting agents, coatings and textile finishes.

Acrylic acid readily undergoes addition reactions with a wide variety of

organic and inorganic compounds. This makes it a very useful feedstock
for the production of many low molecular compounds. For instance, acrylic
acid can be used to produce derivatives of propionic acid with water, alco-
hols, amines, halogens and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It can also be used
with other substances to produce unsaturated fatty acids, heterocyclic
compounds and Diels-Alder addition products.

Processing Acrylic acid polymerizes very readily. It is generally stabilized with 200 ppm
of hydroquinone monomethyl ether (MEHQ). It is only ever supplied in its
stabilized form, because it can polymerize with explosive violence if it is not
stabilized. It is not usually necessary to remove the stabilizer because its
action can be compensated for by adding an excess of initiator.

Storage & Handling In order to prevent polymerization acrylic acid must always be stored under
air, and never under inert gases. The presence of oxygen is required for the
stabilizer to function effectively. Glacial acrylic acid must be stored between
15 and 25 °C. For extended storage periods over 4 weeks it is advisable to
replenish the dissolved oxygen content. Under these conditions, a storage
stability of one year can be expected. In order to minimize the likelihood of
overstorage, the storing procedure should strictly follow the “first-in-first-out”
principle.

To prevent freezing, the temperature of acrylic acid should never drop below
15 °C. Improper thawing can result in violent polymerization. Do not attempt
to thaw frozen or partially frozen acrylic acid unless you have received prior
approval from your supplier.

It is highly recommended that an emergency restabilization systems is

installed. This may help to prevent polymerization of the material in a situa-
tion of pool fire, contamination or other unforeseeable events although it is
no substitute for appropriate preventive measures. For more detailed infor-
mation please consult also the brochure “SAFE HANDLING AND STORAGE
OF ACRYLIC ACID” of EBAM. For a brochure or for more information please
consult BASF.

Safety A Material Safety Data Sheet has been compiled for acrylic acid that con-
tains up-to-date information on all questions relevant to safety.
TI/CP 1593 e October 2017 Page 3 of 3 Acrylic acid glacial

Note The data contained in this publication are based on our current knowledge
and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect processing
and application of our product, these data do not relieve processors from
carrying out their own investigations and tests; neither do these data imply
any guarantee of certain properties, nor the suitability of the product for
a specific purpose. Any descriptions, drawings, photographs, data, pro-
portions, weights etc. given herein may change without prior information
and do not constitute the agreed contractual quality of the product. It is
the responsibility of the recipient of our products to ensure that any
proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed.

October 2017

BASF SE
Operating Division Petrochemicals
Regional Business Unit Industrial Petrochemicals Europe
67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
Visit us online at http://www.acrylicmonomers.basf.com