Amides are used widely in industry. Amides are found in the plastic and rubber industry, paper industry, water and sewage treatment and colour, in crayons, pencils and inks.
Acryl amide and polyacrylamide are the products most widely used in these industries. However, acrlamide is a carcinogen, so can only be used if the chemicals are not intended for consumption. Polyacrylamide is used in its place, mainly therefore, in the treatment of drinking water and sewage, as these are intended for consumption.
The paper industry takes a lot of polyacrylamide produced, being used as a binder and for retention aids for fibres. It also retains the coulour pigments on the paper.
Acrylamide is used to stabilise soil and is used in sand to help keep free sand able to flow, so can fit moulds. It is used as a coating on many household appliences and car parts with thermosetting acrylics. Other minor uses of acrylamide are in the cosmetic industry to prepare soaps, hair products and pre-shave lotions. It is also used for explosives, adhesives, printing inks, latex thickeners and emulsion stabilizers, but these are on a much lower scale to the ones stated before.
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