KR-1000 is a low-molecular-weight acrylic acid homopolymer (polyacrylic acid / PAA, Mw \approx 2,000–4,500 Da). Functionally, it serves as a core threshold scale inhibitor, crystal modifier, and particulate dispersant across industrial water treatment formulations.
Because it consists purely of repeating carboxylic acid ($-\text{COOH}$) groups along a short polymer backbone, KR-1000 offers high density of active sites for chelating hardness ions and distorting mineral scale lattices.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Chemical Name | Polyacrylic Acid Homopolymer (PAA) |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid |
| Molecular Weight ($Mw$) | ~2,000 – 4,500 Da |
| Solid Content | 47.0% – 49.0% |
| pH (as is) | 3.0 – 4.5 |
| Density (20°C) | 1.20g/cm3 |
Key Functional Properties
1. Calcium Carbonate & Oxalate Scale Control
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Threshold Inhibition: Adsorbs onto sub-microscopic mineral nuclei, preventing the growth of low-solubility salts (CaCO3, CaSO4, BaSO4, and Ca-oxalate).
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Lattice Distortion: Alters the crystalline lattice structure of scale deposits. Instead of forming hard, adherent scale on heat transfer surfaces, minerals precipitate as non-adherent, fluid sludge that easily flushes out.
2. High Thermal & Halogen Stability
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Maintains active scale-inhibition performance under elevated temperatures.
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Resistant to chemical degradation by chlorine, bromine, hypochlorite, and other oxidizing biocides.
3. Non-Foaming Dispersant
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Unlike higher molecular weight polymers or surfactants, KR-1000 is non-foaming.
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Keeps particulate iron (Fe2O3), silt, clay, and inorganic mud suspended in solution via electro-steric repulsion, preventing bio-sludge and sediment settling.
Primary Applications
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Circulating Cooling Water Systems: Acts as a primary building block alongside organophosphonates (HEDP, PBTC, ATMP) and zinc salts to inhibit carbonate scaling and disperse particulate matter.
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Boiler & Process Water Treatment: Prevents sludge deposition and scale on boiler tubes under thermal stress.
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Textile & Dyeing Auxiliaries: Functions as a chelating dispersant in textile pretreatment and dyeing processes, suppressing shade shifting caused by trace hard-water ions.
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Paper & Pulp Processing: Used as a pigment dispersant and scale control agent in wash loops.
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Oilfield Water Treatment: Inhibits scale formation (CaCO3 and BaSO4) in reinjection wells and oilfield production lines.
How KR-1000 Compares to Other KR-Series Polymers
| Polymer Grade | Structure | Core Strengths |
| KR-1000 | Acrylic Acid Homopolymer | High CaCO3 & low-solubility salt scale control, low cost, excellent base dispersant. |
| KR-400 | Phosphino Carboxylic Acid (PCA) | Phosphonate-like threshold scale control combined with dispersion; high tolerance to phosphorus programs. |
| KR-499 | Acrylic/Sulfonic Terpolymer | Superior performance in high-phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2), high-zinc (Zn2+), and high-iron systems. |