The industrial and high molecular material applications of acrylamide are as follows:

Acrylamide is primarily used as a monomer for the production of polyacrylamide (PAM), a water-soluble linear polymer with excellent flocculating, thickening, drag-reducing, and dispersing properties. Depending on its ionic nature, PAM can be classified into anionic, cationic, non-ionic, and amphoteric types, each suitable for different industrial applications:

• ‌Water treatment‌: Used as an efficient flocculant in the purification of municipal sewage, industrial wastewater, and drinking water, effectively removing suspended solids and colloidal substances. Its dosage is only 1/50 that of inorganic flocculants, yet it delivers significantly better performance.
• ‌Oil recovery‌: Employed as a flooding agent and thickener in tertiary oil recovery, increasing crude oil recovery rates by 6%–8% and reducing wellbore friction resistance by 30%. Approximately 44% of global polyacrylamide production is used in the petroleum industry.
• ‌Papermaking industry‌: Acts as a strength enhancer and retention aid, improving paper strength, filler retention, and both dry/wet tensile strength and tear resistance.
• ‌Textile and chemical industries‌: Serves as a sizing agent, fiber modifier, adhesive, and soil conditioner, enhancing material performance.