Triethanolamine (TEA) — Manufacturer & Supplier
What is Triethanolamine (TEA) — Manufacturer & Supplier?
Triethanolamine (TEA, CAS 102-71-6) is a tertiary ethanolamine used to neutralize fatty acids into mild soaps, buffer aqueous cleaners, and build corrosion-inhibiting packages in metal working and institutional formulations. Venus Ethoxyethers supplies TEA 85% and TEA 99% grades for detergents, personal care, and…
What is Triethanolamine (TEA) — Manufacturer & Supplier used for?
TEA has the formula N(CH₂CH₂OH)₃ — three 2-hydroxyethyl groups on a nitrogen centre. It is produced by reacting ethylene oxide with ammonia, then separating mono-, di-, and triethanolamine by vacuum distillation. The amine is hygroscopic, water-miscible, and mildly alkaline, which makes it an efficient neutralizer… Venus Ethoxyethers manufactures and supplies in India; request a quote for your requirements.
Triethanolamine (TEA, CAS 102-71-6) is a tertiary ethanolamine used to neutralize fatty acids into mild soaps, buffer aqueous cleaners, and build corrosion-inhibiting packages in metal working and institutional formulations. Venus Ethoxyethers supplies TEA 85% and TEA 99% grades for detergents, personal care, and industrial fluids, backed by ethoxylation and formulation support from manufacturing sites in India and the United States.
What is triethanolamine?
TEA has the formula N(CH₂CH₂OH)₃ — three 2-hydroxyethyl groups on a nitrogen centre. It is produced by reacting ethylene oxide with ammonia, then separating mono-, di-, and triethanolamine by vacuum distillation. The amine is hygroscopic, water-miscible, and mildly alkaline, which makes it an efficient neutralizer for long-chain fatty acids and a useful pH buffer in the 8–10 range.
Key identity and properties
| Property | Value / note |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 102-71-6 |
| Molecular formula | N(CH₂CH₂OH)₃ / C₆H₁₅NO₃ |
| Appearance | Clear to pale viscous liquid (hygroscopic) |
| Solubility | Miscible with water and many polar solvents |
| Function | Neutralizer, buffer, corrosion-inhibition building block |
TEA grades we supply
| Grade | TEA content | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| TEA 85% | ~85% (balance DEA, water) | Institutional cleaners, cost-sensitive industrial blends |
| TEA 99% | ≥99% | Cosmetics, low-odor metal fluids, premium emulsions |
Specify TEA 99% when low DEA, low odor, and cosmetic or export compliance matter. DEA content is important because diethanolamine can form N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) under nitrosating conditions — a controlled impurity in personal-care regulations.
Safety and quality notes (DEA / NDELA)
Personal-care and some export specifications limit diethanolamine (DEA) and nitrosamine risk. TEA 99% with controlled DEA residual is the preferred grade when formulations may contact nitrosating agents or must meet cosmetic impurity guidance. Always follow SDS handling advice: TEA is alkaline and hygroscopic; store closed, away from strong oxidizers and acids.
Key applications
- Fatty acid neutralization — forms triethanolamine soaps for hand cleaners, shampoo bases, and emulsion degreasers
- pH buffering — laundry liquids, metal cleaners, and cream bases without harsh mineral alkali
- Corrosion inhibition — TEA–borate and TEA–carboxylic complexes for short-term rust protection
- Emulsification aid — self-emulsifying systems with fatty alcohols and acids near HLB 9–11
Typical formulation use levels
| System | TEA role | Indicative level |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid hand soap | Neutralize coconut fatty acid | ~4% TEA 99% with ~8% fatty acid |
| Metal cleaner / rinse | TEA–borate inhibitor | 1–2% TEA + 0.5% boric acid |
| Cream / lotion base | Stearic acid soap emulsifier | ~0.8% TEA 99% with ~2% stearic acid |
| Hard-surface cleaner | Oleic soap + FAE detergency | ~1.5–2% TEA 85% with ethoxylate |
Pairing TEA with Venus surfactants
TEA complements — it does not replace — primary surfactants. Combine TEA soaps or TEA–borate packages with fatty alcohol ethoxylates for hard-water detergency, EO/PO block copolymers for low foam, and anionic surfactants in detergent chassis. See homecare and metal working for application context.
Technical guide and samples
Read the full triethanolamine (TEA) guide for worked examples, grade selection, and safety notes. Contact Venus for TEA 85% / 99% samples, SDS, and formulation recommendations.
Triethanolamine — FAQs
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