Triethanolamine

Product Details

CasNo： 102-71-6

MF： C6H15NO3

Appearance： liquid

Delivery Time： 15 days

Packing： 1BC/drum

Purity： 99%

1. Basic Information?

1.1 Chemical Name?

• IUPAC Name: 2,2',2''-Nitrilotriethanol?

• Common Name: Triethanolamine (TEA)?

1.2 Chemical Formula?

?

C6?H15?NO3?

?

1.3 Molecular Weight?

149.19 g/mol?

1.4 CAS Number?

102 - 71 - 6?

2. Physical and Chemical Properties?

2.1 Appearance?

At room temperature, triethanolamine is a colorless to pale - yellow, viscous liquid. It has a characteristic, mild ammoniacal odor. When exposed to air and light over time, its color may gradually darken to brown. At low temperatures (around 21.2°C), it solidifies into colorless to pale - yellow cubic crystals.?

2.2 Physical Constants?

• Melting Point: 21.2°C?

• Boiling Point: 360°C at 101.3 kPa?

• Relative Density: 1.1242 g/mL at 20/4°C; 1.1258 g/mL at 20/20°C?

• Vapor Density: 5.14 (compared to air = 1)?

• Refractive Index: 1.482 - 1.485 at 20°C?

• Viscosity: 280 mPa·s at 35°C; 15 mPa·s at 100°C?

• Flash Point: 179°C (open cup)?

• Auto - ignition Temperature: Approximately 316°C?

2.3 Solubility?

It is highly soluble in water, ethanol, acetone, glycerol, and ethylene glycol. It is sparingly soluble in benzene, ether, and carbon tetrachloride, and has extremely low solubility in non - polar solvents like n - heptane. For example, at 5°C, its solubility in benzene is 4.2%, in ether is 1.6%, in carbon tetrachloride is 0.4%, and in n - heptane is less than 0.1%.?

2.4 Chemical Reactivity?

Triethanolamine is a weak base with a pKa value of 7.82 at 25°C. It can react with inorganic and organic acids to form salts. At high temperatures, it can react with fatty acids to form esters. It has the ability to chelate with various metal ions, forming stable complexes with 2 - 4 coordination bonds. For instance, it can form a complex with copper ions, which is useful in some industrial applications. When oxidized by hypochlorous acid, it forms an amine oxide, and when oxidized by periodic acid, it decomposes into ammonia and formaldehyde.?

3. Production Process?

The industrial production of triethanolamine mainly involves the reaction of ethylene oxide (?

C2?H4?O

) with ammonia (?

NH3?

). The reaction is typically carried out in a reactor under the following conditions:?

• Temperature: 30 - 40°C?

• Pressure: 70.9 - 304 kPa?

During this reaction, a mixture of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine is formed. The molar ratio of ethylene oxide to ammonia is carefully controlled, usually around 2.0. To obtain pure triethanolamine, the reaction mixture is first concentrated by dehydration at 90 - 120°C and then subjected to vacuum distillation in multiple distillation columns. The fractions are collected based on their different boiling points, and triethanolamine with a high purity (usually ≥99%) can be obtained.?

4. Quality Standards?

4.1 Purity?

The standard industrial - grade triethanolamine has a minimum purity of 99.0%. For applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and high - tech industries, products with even higher purity levels, up to 99.9%, can be provided.?

4.2 Impurity Limits?

• Monoethanolamine Content: ≤0.50%?

• Diethanolamine Content: ≤0.50%?

• Water Content: ≤0.20%?

• Color (Hazen unit, platinum - cobalt color number): ≤50 for high - grade products, ≤80 for standard products?

• Density (?

ρ20?

• ): 1.122 - 1.127 g/cm³?

5. Applications?

5.1 Cosmetics and Personal Care?

• Emulsifier: Triethanolamine is widely used as an emulsifier in creams, lotions, and shampoos. It helps to mix oil - and water - based ingredients, creating stable emulsions. For example, in a facial cream formulation, it can emulsify the fatty acids and oils with water, resulting in a smooth - textured product that is easy to apply and absorbs well into the skin.?

• pH Adjuster: It is used to adjust the pH value of cosmetic products. In products containing acidic ingredients like certain exfoliating agents, triethanolamine can be added to bring the pH to a more skin - friendly range.?

• Moisturizer and Thickener: Triethanolamine can enhance the moisturizing effect of products and also act as a thickener, improving the product's consistency.?

5.2 Detergents and Cleaning Products?

• Improving Detergency: In liquid detergents, it can improve the removal of oily and non - polar sebum stains. By increasing the alkalinity of the detergent solution, it enhances the overall cleaning power.?

• Solubilizing Agent: Triethanolamine can help solubilize certain ingredients in cleaning formulations, ensuring uniform distribution and better performance.?

5.3 Rubber and Plastics?

• Vulcanization Activator: In the rubber industry, it serves as a vulcanization activator for natural rubber and synthetic rubbers such as nitrile rubber. It promotes the cross - linking process during vulcanization, improving the mechanical properties of the rubber products.?

• Plasticizer and Stabilizer: In some plastic formulations, triethanolamine can be used as a plasticizer to improve the flexibility of plastics or as a stabilizer to enhance their resistance to degradation.?

5.4 Textile Industry?

• Softener and Lubricant: Triethanolamine is used in textile finishing processes as a softener to make fabrics feel smoother and more comfortable. It also acts as a lubricant during textile manufacturing, reducing friction between fibers and improving the processing efficiency.?

• Dyeing and Printing Aid: It can assist in the dyeing and printing of textiles by helping to disperse dyes evenly and improving the colorfastness of the finished products.?

5.5 Construction Industry?

• Cement Grinding Aid: Triethanolamine and its salts are added to cement clinker grinding processes as engineering additives and early - strength agents (usually at a dosage of about 0.1% of the total mass). They can prevent the aggregation of cement particles during grinding, increase the fluidity and packing density of cement, and reduce the power consumption of the grinder. Additionally, they can accelerate the hydration process of cement in the presence of water in concrete, improving the early - strength development of concrete.?

5.6 Metalworking?

• Corrosion Inhibitor and pH Buffer: In metalworking fluids, triethanolamine is used as a corrosion inhibitor to protect metal surfaces from rust and oxidation. It also acts as a pH buffer, maintaining the stability of the fluid's pH value, which is crucial for its performance.?

• Cutting and Drilling Fluid Component: Triethanolamine - based esters, such as oleic acid triethanolamine ester, are important components in cutting fluids and drilling fluids. They provide lubrication during machining operations, reducing tool wear and improving the surface finish of the machined parts.?

5.7 Pharmaceutical Industry?

• pH Adjuster and Buffer: In pharmaceutical formulations, especially in liquid dosage forms like injectables and topical creams, triethanolamine is used to adjust the pH and act as a buffering agent. This helps to maintain the stability and efficacy of the active pharmaceutical ingredients.?

• Solubilizing Agent: It can also be used to solubilize certain poorly - soluble drugs, improving their bioavailability.?

6. Packaging and Storage?

6.1 Packaging?

• 200L Steel Drums: Commonly used for industrial - scale applications. The steel drums are robust and can withstand the handling and transportation of large quantities of triethanolamine.?

• 1000 kg Composite IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers): Ideal for bulk transportation and storage. These containers are designed to be stackable and are suitable for use in large - volume production facilities.?

• Smaller Glass Bottles (e.g., 0.5 kg, 1 kg): Used for laboratory - scale experiments, small - batch production, or for customers who require only small quantities of triethanolamine.?

6.2 Storage?

• Storage Conditions: Triethanolamine should be stored in a cool, dry, and well - ventilated area. It should be protected from direct sunlight and heat sources. Since it is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air), proper storage conditions are essential to prevent the absorption of water, which could affect its quality.?

• Compatibility: Avoid storing triethanolamine near oxidizing agents, acids, or materials that can react with it. It can corrode certain metals such as copper, aluminum, and their alloys, so storage containers made of these materials should be avoided.?

7. Safety Information?

7.1 Hazards?

• Corrosive to Skin and Eyes: Triethanolamine can cause irritation and burns to the skin and eyes. Direct contact should be avoided, and appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and safety goggles, should be worn when handling the product.?

• Inhalation Hazard: Inhalation of its vapors or mists may cause respiratory tract irritation. In a poorly - ventilated area, the concentration of triethanolamine vapors can build up, posing a risk to the respiratory system.?

• Toxicity: Although it is considered to have relatively low acute toxicity, ingestion of large amounts can be harmful. In the human body, there are concerns about the potential formation of nitrosamines (carcinogenic compounds) when triethanolamine reacts with nitrite - containing substances.?

7.2 Safety Precautions?

• Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical - resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing when handling triethanolamine. In case of potential inhalation exposure, use appropriate respiratory protection, such as a respirator with an organic vapor cartridge.?

• First - Aid Measures: In case of skin contact, immediately flush the affected area with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. If triethanolamine gets into the eyes, rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting the eyelids occasionally, and then seek immediate medical help. In case of inhalation, move the affected person to fresh air and if breathing is difficult, provide oxygen and seek medical advice. If ingestion occurs, do not induce vomiting unless directed by a medical professional, and seek immediate medical attention.?

• Storage and Handling: Store triethanolamine in a dedicated storage area away from incompatible substances. During handling, avoid spills and leaks. In case of a spill, contain the spill area with absorbent materials and clean up the spill following proper safety procedures.?