Creatine monohydrate (CAS 6020-87-7) is a commodity supplement ingredient with real quality differences between suppliers — purity, particle size, heavy metals and taste all matter. This purchasing guide covers the specification sheet, the COA, packaging and the supplier checklist for creatine monohydrate.
1. Reading the Specification
| Parameter | Typical value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Assay (creatine monohydrate) | 99%+ (typically 99.5%) | Active content |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | Visual QC |
| Heavy metals | Low (As, Pb, Hg limits) | Safety for supplements |
| Dicyandiamide (DCD) | Low | Process impurity; safety-relevant |
| Dihydrotriazine (DHT) | Low | Process impurity |
| Moisture | Low (monohydrate stoichiometric) | Assay accuracy |
2. What a Complete COA Should Contain
- Product name and CAS number (6020-87-7)
- Batch number and production date
- Assay (measured)
- Heavy metals (measured)
- Dicyandiamide and dihydrotriazine (measured)
- Appearance, moisture
- Test methods and quality manager signature
3. Grades and Particle Size
- Standard powder: economical, slightly gritty in water.
- Micronized: finer particle size, better mixing/suspension in water.
- Both have the same assay; particle size affects only handling/sensory.
4. Packaging, Storage and Shelf Life
- Packaging: 25 kg bags, drums, or custom retail-ready packaging.
- Storage: dry, sealed, cool; creatine is stable but absorbs moisture.
- Shelf life: typically 24-36 months.
5. How to Verify Quality on Arrival
- Check packaging and labels against the COA batch number.
- Visual check: white powder, no lumps, no odor.
- Verify assay and impurities against the COA.
- Run a small dissolution/sensory check.
- Keep a retained sample per batch.
6. Supplier Checklist
- Manufacturer vs trader — manufacturers control assay and impurity consistency.
- Consistent COA with measured assay/DCD/DHT on every batch.
- Supplement-grade documentation (heavy metals, contaminants).
- Stable supply and reasonable lead time.
- Price comparison on a per-kg basis at the same grade.
7. FAQ
What purity of creatine monohydrate should I buy?
99%+ (typically 99.5%) for supplement use; verify the measured assay on the COA.
What is DCD and why does it matter?
Dicyandiamide is a process impurity in creatine production; low levels are required for quality and safety.
Is micronized creatine better?
Same assay, better mixing/suspension; choose by your product’s sensory target.
Can I get a trial sample?
Yes. PolyblueChem offers trial samples for validation before bulk orders.
8. References and Further Reading
- Supplement-grade specifications for creatine monohydrate
- Manufacturer SDS and COA guidance
This article is published for industrial and technical reference by PolyblueChem. Specifications are typical; verify against the supplier’s COA.
PolyblueChem supplies creatine monohydrate (CAS 6020-87-7) in high-purity supplement grade with COA and MSDS. See our creatine guide. Contact us for samples and quotations.