Equistar produces four primary ethanolamine products -- monoethanolamines (MEA), diethanolamines (DEA), triethanolamines and polyethanolamines -- which are used in a broad range of applications.
Benefits and Applications
Ethanolamines are components in cosmetic and personal care applications, agricultural products, wood preservative chemicals and soaps and detergents.Ethanolamines can also be used in the following applications: surfactants, herbicides, gas purification, metalworking/corrosion inhibiting fluids, cement grinding, cement add-mixtures and textile finishing/softening. MEA is also used as a raw material in the production of ethylenediamine.
Properties
Ethanolamines are stable, mildly corrosive liquids with a characteristic ammonia-like odor. Depending on purity, they can range from nearly colorless to deep amber.
Ethanolamines are members of the alkanolamine family of compounds, unique in that they possess the physical and chemical characteristics of both alcohols and amines.