Triethanolamine (TEA) 85% – Specifications, Uses & Bulk Supply

Triethanolamine 85%, commonly known as TEA 85, is a versatile ethanolamine used across industrial, chemical, construction, detergent, textile, coating, and personal care applications. Manufacturers value this material because it combines alkaline properties, water solubility, emulsification performance, and pH control in one product.

Triethanolamine belongs to the ethanolamine family together with other industrial ethanolamine products. Basekim supplies ethanolamine-based chemicals for various industrial applications and international bulk requirements. TEA has the chemical formula C₆H₁₅NO₃, CAS Number 102-71-6, and a molecular weight of approximately 149.19 g/mol.

Industries use Triethanolamine 85% to adjust pH, neutralize acidic compounds, improve formulation stability, support cement grinding, enhance cleaning formulations, and assist in metalworking and coating systems. Therefore, choosing the correct TEA grade and specification plays an important role in product performance.

Triethanolamine 85% Specifications

Buyers should review the technical specification before ordering TEA because purity, water content, density, color, and related components may influence the final application.

Exact specifications can vary according to production source and grade. Buyers should therefore confirm the latest TDS and SDS before placing bulk orders.

Triethanolamine 85% vs Triethanolamine 99%

One of the most important purchasing decisions involves selecting between Triethanolamine 85% and Triethanolamine 99%.

TEA 85 contains a lower concentration of triethanolamine and generally contains a higher proportion of water compared with TEA 99. This difference can affect viscosity, handling, formulation concentration, cost, and the required dosage in industrial processes.

Triethanolamine 85% often works well in applications where extremely high purity is not required. These applications may include cement additives, industrial cleaners, detergents, metalworking formulations, coatings, and several chemical processing systems.

In contrast, Triethanolamine 99% provides a higher active concentration and may be selected for formulations that require tighter purity specifications.

Buyers should not select a grade only according to price. Instead, they should consider the required active concentration, production process, formulation compatibility, and technical specifications. Additional technical product information can also help buyers compare industrial requirements before selecting a suitable grade.

Triethanolamine Uses

Triethanolamine offers several functions across different industries. Depending on the formulation, TEA can act as a neutralizing agent, pH regulator, emulsifier, alkalinity source, corrosion control component, or processing aid.

Cement and Concrete Applications

The cement industry represents an important industrial market for triethanolamine.

Manufacturers can use TEA in cement grinding aids and concrete admixture formulations. In grinding systems, properly formulated ethanolamine additives can help improve the efficiency of cement processing and support desired performance characteristics.

However, manufacturers must carefully control dosage. Excessive use can alter cement behavior rather than improve it.

For this reason, producers normally determine the correct TEA concentration through formulation testing and production trials.

Detergents and Industrial Cleaning

Triethanolamine also appears in detergent and industrial cleaning formulations.

Its alkaline nature helps formulators control pH and neutralize acidic ingredients. Moreover, TEA can support surfactant systems and improve formulation stability.

Manufacturers may use TEA 85% in industrial cleaners, household cleaning formulations, degreasers, and specialty detergent systems, depending on the required formulation.

Because different cleaning products operate at different pH levels, formulators should always test the final product rather than relying on a fixed TEA dosage.

Metalworking Fluids

Metalworking fluid manufacturers use ethanolamines in selected cutting fluids, machining fluids, grinding fluids, and corrosion-control systems.

Triethanolamine can help maintain alkalinity and support stable fluid formulations. It may also contribute to corrosion management when used as part of a properly designed additive package.

The final performance, however, depends on the complete formulation, including surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, water quality, and other additives.

Glue and Adhesive Applications

Triethanolamine can also support selected glue and adhesive formulations, particularly where manufacturers need pH adjustment, neutralization, dispersion control, or formulation stability.

Its chemical structure allows TEA to interact with acidic ingredients and other formulation components. Therefore, manufacturers may use it as part of adhesive systems designed for construction, industrial bonding, coatings, packaging, and other applications.

The appropriate concentration depends on the adhesive chemistry and required final properties. Manufacturers working with these systems can also review information about industrial adhesive materials when evaluating compatible raw materials.

Paints and Coatings

Triethanolamine can play a role in certain paint, coating, adhesive, and resin formulations.

Formulators mainly use it for neutralization, pH control, dispersion support, and interaction with acidic components.

Maintaining the correct pH can significantly influence coating stability, viscosity, storage behavior, and application performance. Therefore, manufacturers should carefully control TEA dosage during production.

Textile Processing

Textile manufacturers may use triethanolamine in selected processing chemicals and treatment formulations.

Depending on the process, TEA can support pH adjustment and chemical stability. It may also appear in specialty textile auxiliaries.

Because textile processing involves different fibers, dyes, chemicals, and production conditions, the required TEA grade and dosage can vary considerably.

Gas Treatment and Chemical Processing

Ethanolamines have long been associated with gas treatment and chemical processing systems.

Triethanolamine may be used in selected applications involving neutralization and chemical absorption. However, modern gas treatment systems use several different amines, and the correct choice depends heavily on process conditions.

Therefore, buyers should select the ethanolamine based on technical requirements rather than treating TEA, MEA, and DEA as interchangeable products.

Triethanolamine in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Triethanolamine also appears in some cosmetic and personal care formulations.

Manufacturers may use TEA as a pH adjuster and neutralizing ingredient in creams, lotions, gels, cleansing products, and other formulations.

For example, TEA can neutralize certain acidic ingredients and help create a suitable consistency in specific cosmetic systems.

However, cosmetic formulators must follow applicable regulations and carefully control ingredient compatibility. Triethanolamine should not be described as universally safe under all conditions simply because it is widely used.

Manufacturers must control concentration, product purity, contamination risks, and formulation conditions according to the intended market.

Triethanolamine 85% vs MEA and DEA

Triethanolamine belongs to the ethanolamine family together with Monoethanolamine (MEA) and Diethanolamine (DEA).

Although these products share several chemical characteristics, they do not provide identical performance.

MEA generally offers stronger alkalinity and a lower molecular weight. Therefore, industries often use it when stronger neutralization or gas treatment performance is required.

DEA contains two hydroxyethyl groups and provides different solubility, viscosity, and formulation characteristics.

TEA contains three hydroxyethyl groups, giving it a different balance of alkalinity, viscosity, and formulation behavior.

Therefore, manufacturers should select between MEA, DEA, and TEA according to the final application, desired pH, formulation system, processing temperature, and required purity.

Triethanolamine 85% Packaging

Bulk buyers should confirm packaging before shipment because packaging options can vary according to the destination country, order volume, and transportation method.

Commercial TEA products may be supplied in industrial drums, intermediate bulk containers, or other suitable bulk packaging systems.

Before ordering, buyers should confirm:

• Net weight

• Packaging material

• Pallet configuration

• Container loading quantity

• Country of origin

• Label requirements

• Export documents

• SDS and TDS availability

Correct packaging reduces contamination risk and supports safer storage and transportation.

Triethanolamine Price

Triethanolamine 85% price changes according to several commercial and market factors.

The most important factors include:

• TEA purity

• Order quantity

• Packaging

• Country of origin

• Raw material costs

• Freight rates

• Destination port

• Incoterms

• Market availability

• Currency fluctuations

Therefore, buyers should avoid relying on outdated fixed prices when planning a bulk order.

For an accurate quotation, purchasers should provide the required quantity, destination, packaging preference, and requested delivery terms.

Buying Triethanolamine 85% in Bulk

Companies that consume TEA in large volumes should work with a source that can provide consistent specifications, export documentation, suitable packaging, and reliable shipping arrangements.

Before confirming a bulk order, buyers should request the latest technical data, safety data, packaging information, origin details, and commercial quotation.

International buyers should also confirm Incoterms, destination port, required documentation, loading quantity, and estimated shipment conditions before placing an order.

Storage and Handling

Store Triethanolamine 85% in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area using suitable chemical containers.

Keep packaging tightly closed when the product is not in use. In addition, protect the material from contamination and incompatible substances.

Workers handling TEA should follow the latest Safety Data Sheet and use suitable personal protective equipment according to workplace conditions.

Eye contact should be avoided because triethanolamine solutions can cause irritation. Workers should also prevent unnecessary skin exposure and follow standard industrial hygiene practices.

Companies should train employees according to local occupational safety regulations before handling bulk chemicals.

TEA 85 SDS and TDS

Professional buyers should always review the latest Triethanolamine 85% SDS and TDS before using the product.

The Technical Data Sheet (TDS) normally provides information about:

• Purity

• Appearance

• Density

• Water content

• Chemical properties

• Product specification

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides information about:

• Hazard identification

• Safe handling

• Storage

• First aid

• Personal protection

• Spill management

• Transport

• Disposal

A TEA 85 product page should always link to documentation that specifically matches the 85% grade. Technical data for TEA 99% should not be presented as the specification for TEA 85%.