Polyquaternium-53 is a chemical compound, quaternised polymer, with trimonio-containing repeating units. Acrylic acid/acrylamide/methacrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride copolymer

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Polyquaternium is a term that describes different polycationic polymers, which are positively charged. They are used in personal care products because they can form a film that bonds to the negatively charged surfaces of hair, skin and nails.
• 53 refers to the specific type or grade of polyquaternium.

 Raw Materials and Their Functions

Base Monomers. The monomers used in the synthesis of Polyquaternium-53 may include quaternary ammonium compounds and other specific monomers that impart the polymer's unique properties.

Catalysts and Reagents. Used to facilitate the polymerization reaction and ensure the correct formation of the polymer.

Industrial Chemical Synthesis of Polyquaternium-53

• Polymerization. The process begins with the polymerization of the base monomers. This reaction is usually catalyzed to form a long and stable polymer chain.
• Reaction Control. The polymerization reaction is carefully controlled to ensure that the polymer has the desired chain length and properties.
• Purification. After polymerization, Polyquaternium-53 is purified to remove impurities and by-products.
• Quality Control. The purified Polyquaternium-53 undergoes quality checks to ensure it meets the required standards. After quality control, it is packaged for use in hair and skin care products, where it utilizes its conditioning, antistatic, and film-forming properties.

It appears in the form of a yellowish liquid.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

It is a restricted ingredient as III/66 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: Polyacrylamides. Maximum residual acrylamide content 0.1mg/kg (b) Maximum residual acrylamide content 0.5mg/kg.

Polyquaternium compounds are often found in hair and skin care products due to their ability to counteract negative charges on the hair and skin, helping to detangle and smooth the hair and change the texture and appearance of the skin. In addition, they can promote the formation of a protective barrier on the skin and hair, helping to retain moisture.

Hair conditioning agent. A large number of ingredients with specific purposes can co-exist in a hair shampoo: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, mattifying agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersing agents that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioners includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners.

Trade name:    Merquat 2003

CAS:     84647-38-1