Triethanolamine (TEA)
Triethanolamine, sometimes referred to as TEA, is not to be confused with Triethyl amine (also sometimes referred to as TEA). Triethanolamine is one of several ethanolamines produced commercially via the reaction of aqueous ammonia with ethylene oxide.
Of the nearly 1.3 billion pounds of ethanolamines produced in the United States each year, about 33% are used in detergents. Another 20% are used in gas purification. Triethanolamine is used in a broad range of applications included textiles, petroleum demulsifiers, cutting oils, corrosion inhibitors, waxes and polishes, cosmetics, herbicides and pesticides, and even cement additives.
In its purest form, triethanolamine is a colorless to pale amber colored liquid having a slight ammonia odor above its melting point.
| Molecular Weight | 149.19 g/mole |
| Formula | NH(CH2CH2OH)3 |
| CAS # | 102-71-6 |
| Other Synonyms | 2,2’,2-nitrilotriethanol Trolamine Trihydroxytriethylamine Sterolamide Tris(hydroxyethyl)amine |
| Melting Point | 70.23 °F (21.24 °C) |
| Boiling Point | 643.80 °F (339.89 °C) |
| Density | 9.2875 lb/gal (1.1129 gm/cm3) at 100 °F |
| Vapor Pressure | <0.01 mmHg at 100 °F |
| Viscosity | 211.6 cP at 40 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.1148 BTU/hr-ft-F (0.1986 W/m-C) at 40 °C |
| Critical Temperature | 957.00 °F (513.89 °C) |
| Critical Pressure | 18,376 mm Hg (24.18 atm) |
| Critical Volume | 0.0507 ft3/lb (0.0032 m3/kg) |