Carboxymethyl cellulose

Description

1) A hard, transparent polymer. Carboxymethyl cellulose, or CMC, is glossy and has good impact strength. However it is sensitive to moisture and most chemicals. Carboxymethyl cellulose is used for small containers, handles, eyeglass frames, pens, toys and packaging.

2) Carboxymethyl cellulose is a common name for Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

FTIR

Synonyms and Related Terms

CMC; carboxymethylcellulose (Fr.); carboximetilcelulosa (Esp.); carbossimetil cellulosa (It.); carboximetilcelulose (Port.)

Collections Risks

Links to Oddy Test results posted on AIC Wiki Materials Database Pages for individual materials below

Carboxymethyl Cellulose tested in 2013

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Affected by water, acids, alkalis, alcohols, esters, ketones, phenols, oils
• Insoluble in carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene.
• Refractive Index = 1.51

Resources and Citations

• Website: www.me.umist.ac.uk.historyp/cmc

• Conservation termlist - www.hants.org.uk/museums

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboxymethyl_cellulose (Accessed Jan. 15, 2006)