Methacrylatoethyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DMC)

Methacrylatoethyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (commonly abbreviated as DMC) is a highly reactive cationic methacrylate monomer containing a quaternary ammonium group. This unique structure combines the polymerizable methacrylate double bond with a permanent positive charge from the trimethylammonium cation, making DMC one of the most widely used building blocks for synthesizing cationic polymers and polyelectrolytes.
Thanks to its strong cationic character and excellent water solubility, DMC is extensively employed in water treatment, personal care formulations, oilfield chemicals, paper manufacturing, and advanced materials.

Technical Specifications

Packaging and Storage

• DMC product is non-dangerous goods. In 200L plastic drum, net weight 200kgs, or in IBC drum, net weight 1100kgs.
• DMC is easy to aggregation, storage and transportation should avoid the sun, rain, heat, 25℃ following storage for three months.

Primary Applications and Benefits

Water Treatment & Flocculants:
Co-polymerization of DMC with acrylamide produces high-molecular-weight cationic polyacrylamides (CPAM) that excel as flocculants for municipal and industrial wastewater, sludge dewatering, and coal flotation.

Personal Care & Hair Conditioning Polymers:
Incorporated into polyquaternium-type ingredients (e.g., Polyquaternized copolymers), DMC provides outstanding wet/dry combing, anti-static properties, and film-forming benefits in shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.

Oil & Gas Recovery:
Used in high-viscosity fracturing fluids and drilling mud additives to improve proppant suspension and reduce fluid loss.

Paper & Pulp Industry:
Acts as retention aid, drainage aid, wet-strength resin precursor, and pigment dispersant.

Coatings & Adhesives:
Introduces permanent antistatic performance and improved adhesion to negatively charged substrates in conductive coatings and inks.

Textile & Fiber Treatment:
Enhances dye uptake and provides soft handle/antistatic effects on synthetic fibers.

Emulsion Polymerization:
Serves as a cationic co-monomer for producing stable latexes used in paints, adhesives, and non-woven binders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How should DMC be stored?
Store in a cool, dark place below 25°C, away from strong oxidizers, radical initiators, and direct sunlight. Nitrogen blanketing is recommended for long-term storage.

Can DMC polymerize by itself?
Yes, it readily undergoes free-radical homopolymerization to form cationic polyelectrolytes, but it is most often copolymerized with acrylamide, acrylic acid, or other vinyl monomers.

What is the typical concentration supplied?
Commercial DMC is usually supplied as a 75–80 wt.% aqueous solution to reduce viscosity and inhibit premature polymerization.

Is DMC safe to handle?
DMC is classified as a skin and eye irritant (Category 2) and may cause allergic skin reactions in sensitive individuals. Always use PPE (gloves, goggles) and follow the Safety Data Sheet. It is not classified as acutely toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic under GHS.

Is DMC compatible with anionic surfactants?
The monomer itself is highly compatible. Once polymerized into high-molecular-weight cationic polymers, it can form complexes with anionic surfactants (useful in opacifying shampoos), but high-charge versions may precipitate if the ratio is not balanced.

Where can I buy high-quality Methacrylatoethyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DMC)?

You can contact us via email [email protected] for offers and bulk orders.