Tomamine® Alkali Surfactant
Description
Advantages
Tomamine Alkali Surfactant is a unique
dipropionate amphoteric used extensively in
alkaline and acid cleaning formulations. It
provides superior hydrotroping, wetting and
detergent characteristics. Unlike many
conventional hydrotropes, Tomamine Alkali
Surfactant also contributes to soil removal.
• Exceptional stability in alkaline, acid and highly
concentrated electrolytes
Formulators can use this multi-functional benefit
to improve cleaning performance, or to reduce
the concentration of other detergents, in their
cleaning products.
• Moderate foam
• Tremendous coupling agent for nonionics
• Improves detergency
• Compatible with anionics, cationics, and
nonionics
• Excellent wetting
• Increased substantivity in the Zwitterionic range
(typically pH 2-4)
Tomamine Alkali Surfactant is a moderate
foamer, is compatible with anionic surfactants,
non-ionic surfactants, and cationic surfactants. It
is exceptionally stable in alkali, acids, and highly
concentrated electrolytes.
Typical Properties
Active, %
Tomamine Alkali Surfactant is represented by
the formula:
Average molecular weight
395
pH (5% solution)
6-9
Appearance @ 20 °C
CH 2CH 2COOH
35
Amber liquid
Pour point, °F
Flash point, °C
R-O-CH 2CH 2CH 2-N
-
CH 2CH 2COO Na
+
Specific gravity @ 77 °F
Gardner color, max
Applications
• High caustic / high electrolyte industrial
cleaners
• Household and institutional cleaners
• Heavy duty degreasers
• Transportation cleaners
• Acid cleaners
• Non acid aluminum brighteners
• Floor strippers
• Steam cleaners
• Soak tank cleaners
Performance Advantages
Electrolyte Solubility
5% surfactant at 72 °F for 24 hours
• 27% sodium hydroxide
• 35% potassium hydroxide
• 60%+ sodium metasilicate pentahydrate
30
> 100
1.05
7
Performance Advantages (cont'd)
TABLE 1: Surface Tension Data
The following chart shows surface tension data generated via a Kruss tensiometer. All recordings were
taken in a solution of 2% NaOH.
Product
Tomamine Alkali Surfactant
Tomamine Amphoteric 400
Tomamine Amphoteric N
Tomamine Amphoteric L
CMC (%)
0.30
2.00
0.30
0.01
Surface Tension
@ 0.1%
(dynes/cm)
37
65
38
33
Surface Tension
Minimum
(dynes/cm)
27
41
36
33
TABLE 2: Ross-Miles Foam Height
Conditions: 25 °C, 0.1% active, pH Neutral
Water Hardness
Surfactant
Alkali Surfactant
Amphoteric 400
Amphoteric L
Amphoteric N
Amphoteric SC
Nonylphenol 9EO
Alcohol Sulfate
150 ppm
Foam (cm) Foam (cm) Stability
Initial
5 minutes (Vol. %)
13.1
3.8
29.0
2.6
0.0
0.0
17.8
17.6
98.9
18.0
18.0
100.0
18.3
18.3
100.0
12.7
11.6
91.3
12.8
12.7
99.2
300 ppm
Foam (cm) Foam (cm) Stability
Initial
5 minutes (Vol. %)
12.1
7.8
64.1
2.0
0.0
0.0
17.7
17.5
98.9
16.5
16.5
100.0
17.4
17.4
100.0
12.0
11.1
92.5
10.4
6.1
58.7
For Samples:
If you would like additional information or technical
assistance in preparing specific formulations, write or call
Air Products.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
7201 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18195-1501 USA
Telephone: 800-345-3148
(Outside the US and Canada 610-481-6799)
Fax: 610-481-4381
E-mail: [email protected]
www.airproducts.com
©Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
The information contained herein is offered without
charge for use by technically qualified personnel at
their discretion and risk. All statements, technical
information and recommendations contained herein
are based on tests and data which we believe to be
reliable, but the accuracy or completeness thereof
is not guaranteed and no warranty of any kind is
made with respect thereto.
Pub.No.110-09-011-US