What Is Dihydrogenated Tallow Methylamine?
Dihydrogenated tallow methylamine, also written as bis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methylamine or di(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methylamine, is a tertiary amine mixture produced from hydrogenated tallow fatty amines. Its CAS Registry Number is 61788-63-4 and its EINECS number is 262-991-8. The material is a waxy white to light-coloured solid at room temperature with a typical tertiary amine value of 100 to 110 mg KOH/g.
It is the main raw material for cationic quaternary ammonium salts and is consumed in surfactants, fabric softening, personal care, water treatment and industrial auxiliary systems. Because the alkyl chains are fully hydrogenated, the grade is saturated and shows better oxidation and colour stability than unsaturated tallow amine types. It is supplied as flakes, pastilles or blocks and must be melted under controlled heating before use in synthesis.
Typical Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance at 25 °C | White to pale waxy solid |
| Assay | 97.0% min |
| Tertiary amine value | 100 - 110 mg KOH/g |
| Primary and secondary amine content | 3.0% max |
| Colour | 300 Hazen max |
| Moisture | 0.5% max |
| Alkyl chain distribution | C16 / C18 hydrogenated tallow range |
The tertiary amine value is the single most important commercial parameter. It fixes the stoichiometry of the quaternisation reaction and therefore determines the yield and the cationic activity of the downstream surfactant.
Quaternary Ammonium Salt Intermediate
The principal use of the product is the manufacture of dialkyl quaternary ammonium compounds by reaction with quaternising agents such as methyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate. The resulting dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts are the active ingredients in household and industrial fabric softeners, hair conditioners, antistatic agents and disinfectant formulations.
Quaternisation is normally carried out in the melt or in a solvent under controlled temperature, and the reaction is monitored through the fall in amine value and the rise in cationic activity. Because the feedstock is fully hydrogenated, the quaternary salts are colour-stable and low in odour, which matters for consumer products that must stay white and fresh during storage.
Surfactant, Personal Care and Industrial Applications
Amphoteric and non-ionic derivatives: betaines, amine oxides and ethoxylated amines provide foaming, emulsifying and conditioning functions in shampoos, lotions and creams.
Textile finishing: softener formulations based on these derivatives improve hand feel, drape and antistatic performance on woven and knitted fabrics.
Epoxy systems: the amine acts as a curing agent or accelerator and improves mechanical strength, chemical resistance and adhesion of the cured resin.
Lubricant and fuel additives: derivatives improve the stability and solubility of additive packages.
Coatings and paints: the products act as dispersants, adhesion promoters and corrosion inhibitors.
Water treatment: quaternary salts are used as algicides and biocides in recirculating cooling and process water.
Handling, Storage and Quality Control
Dihydrogenated tallow methylamine is a weak base supplied as a waxy solid with low vapour pressure. Dust and aerosol formation should be minimised during transfer, and gloves and eye protection are recommended. Keep the material away from strong acids, strong oxidisers and moisture. Store sealed containers in a cool, dry and well ventilated place and melt bulk material gently with controlled heating to avoid local overheating and colour degradation.
Quality control focuses on tertiary amine value, primary and secondary amine content, colour and moisture. Amine value is measured by titration, water content by Karl Fischer titration and colour by platinum-cobalt comparison following ASTM D1209. Export shipments are normally accompanied by a safety data sheet and a certificate of analysis, and the product must be registered on the chemical inventory of the destination market where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the CAS number of dihydrogenated tallow methylamine?
The CAS Registry Number is 61788-63-4 and the EINECS number is 262-991-8.
Q: Is dihydrogenated tallow methylamine a quaternary ammonium salt?
No. It is a tertiary amine intermediate; quaternary ammonium salts are produced from it by a further quaternisation step.
Q: What does the amine value indicate?
The amine value in mg KOH/g measures the content of active tertiary amine. A value of 100 to 110 mg KOH/g indicates a high content suitable for quaternisation and downstream synthesis.
Q: Which industries consume this product?
Surfactant and detergent producers, fabric softener manufacturers, personal care formulators, water treatment operators, epoxy system suppliers and lubricant additive blenders.
Q: What is the physical form of the product?
It is a white to light-coloured waxy solid at room temperature, usually supplied as flakes, pastilles or blocks depending on the manufacturer.
Q: How should it be stored?
Keep containers sealed in a cool, dry place away from strong acids and oxidisers, and melt gently with controlled heating when transferring bulk material.