Fatty Amine Ethoxylate(CAS#9016-45-9)–Nonionic Surfactant

1. Properties:

• Appearance and Physical Form: Fatty Amine Ethoxylate varies from pale yellow or white solid to viscous liquid or waxy paste, depending on the fatty amine chain length (typically C12–C22) and the degree of ethoxylation. Lower-molecular-weight grades often appear as clear, colorless liquids or thick gels with a faint amine odor and slightly waxy texture, while higher-molecular-weight products take the form of flakes, powders, beads, or pearly solids.
• Solubility: Fatty amine ethoxylates exhibit variable water solubility based on EO content. Products with higher ethoxylation (e.g., 15+ moles EO) provide good solubility in cold water, while lower EO grades are water-insoluble. They are also soluble in alcohols, aromatic solvents, and hydrocarbons, demonstrating excellent compatibility with anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants.
• Chemical Properties: As nonionic surfactants, fatty amine ethoxylates do not dissociate into charged species in solution. This enables them to perform efficiently in hard water and at low temperatures, where ionic surfactants may lose effectiveness. They demonstrate excellent chemical stability across a broad pH range, including both acidic and alkaline environments, and can form salts with acids. The HLB value is tunable from approximately 9 to 15+ by controlling the number of EO moles added, allowing manufacturers to tailor properties such as solubility, emulsification efficiency, detergency, and compatibility with other formulation components.

2. Applications:

• Textile Industry: Fatty amine ethoxylates are widely used as wetting agents, dye leveling agents, softeners, antistatic agents, and solubilizers in textile processing. They ensure uniform dye uptake, improve fabric processing, and can be easily removed from polyamide fibers. They also function as spin finish additives and lubricants in fiber processing.
• Agrochemicals: Serve as excellent emulsifiers and adjuvants in crop protection formulations, including glyphosate bioactivators and herbicide emulsions. They enhance the dispersion and effectiveness of active ingredients in pesticide and herbicide formulations.
• Industrial & Institutional Cleaning: Used in household detergents, industrial cleaners, metal cleaning, and institutional formulations. They contribute to soil removal, surface cleaning efficiency, and act as effective degreasing agents. In acidic formulations, they function as thickeners ideal for scale removal in sanitary installations, toilet bowls, bathroom cleaning, industrial equipment, and rust removal operations.
• Oil & Gas Field Chemicals: Function as corrosion inhibitors, oilfield chemical additives, and defoaming agents. Their high affinity for surfaces makes them valuable in drilling fluids and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications.
• Metalworking & Metal Treatment: Utilized as emulsifiers, antistatic agents, and corrosion inhibitors in metal processing fluids, metal cleaners, and rust removal formulations. Improve surface finishing and provide hydrophobing properties.
• Personal Care & Cosmetics: Employed as conditioning agents, emollients, and surfactants in hair care and skin care formulations. They exhibit antistatic behavior and good dispersing abilities, making them valuable in toiletries and hair care products.
• Other Industries: Fatty amine ethoxylates also find applications in paper de-inking, leather processing (as softeners and emulsifiers), mining and drilling, paint and coatings (as pigment dispersants and wetting agents), petroleum additives, and as antistatic agents in polyolefins and styrenics.

3. Preparation Method:

• Laboratory Method: Fatty amine ethoxylates can be synthesized by heating equimolar quantities of fatty amine (e.g., dodecylamine, cocoamine, or tallow amine) and ethylene oxide in a sealed reactor vessel at approximately 110°C for 8 hours until complete conversion of ethylene oxide. Water acts as a catalyst in this ethoxylation process.
• Industrial Process: Industrial production involves the addition of ethylene oxide to fatty amines (including cocoamine, tallow amine, oleyl amine, stearyl amine, and their derivatives) in the presence of a catalyst under controlled pressure and temperature conditions. The reaction is typically carried out in a plug flow or batch reactor with water or alkaline catalysts. By precisely controlling the number of ethylene oxide moles added (ranging from 2 to 40+ moles EO), manufacturers can produce a wide spectrum of ethoxylated amine products with tailored HLB values and performance profiles. Products are available in various forms including liquids, pastes, flakes, powders, and solid pearls packaged in 25 kg bags, IBC containers, or bulk tank trucks.

4. Safety Information:

• Health Hazards: Fatty amine ethoxylates in concentrated form can cause serious eye damage (H318). They are harmful if swallowed (H302) and very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects (H400, H410).
• Personal Protection: When handling concentrated solutions, wear appropriate protective equipment including chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile), protective clothing, safety goggles, and face shield to prevent eye and skin contact.
• Ventilation & Handling: Handle in a well-ventilated area. Avoid breathing mists or vapors. Avoid dust and aerosol formation when handling solid forms such as flakes or powders.
• First Aid Measures: In case of eye contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. For skin contact, wash off with soap and water. If swallowed, rinse mouth and do NOT induce vomiting; seek immediate medical attention.
• Environmental Precautions: Fatty amine ethoxylates are classified as environmentally hazardous substances. Avoid direct release into natural water bodies, as they are very toxic to aquatic organisms. UN proper shipping name: Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Liquid, N.O.S.; Transport Hazard Class: 9 (Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles).
• Storage & Stability: Store in sealed containers below 30°C in a dry place away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and strong oxidizing agents. Protect from freezing; if material becomes hazy after cold exposure, gently warm to 30–35°C and mix before use. Moisture content should be kept below 1% for solid forms to prevent caking and hydrolysis. Shelf life is typically 12–24 months in tightly closed original containers.
• Regulatory Information: Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete safety and regulatory information specific to each product grade. Fatty amine ethoxylates are listed in various chemical inventories including EINECS, TSCA, DSL, and other regional regulatory lists depending on the specific derivative.