Maleic acid/(meth)acrylic acid copolymers useful as calcium ion capturing agents

摘要

A copolymer of maleic acid (MA) and (meth)acrylic acid (AA), or a salt thereof, wherein the molar ratio (MA/AA) gamma of the constituent monomers is 1.15 to 2.7, the average molecular weight MW is 1000 to 8000, and ( gamma )x(MW) is at least 3000. The copolymer is useful as a calcium ion capturing agent, in a process for treating water to inhibit formation of scale surfaces contacted by the water.