Fatty amine ethoxylates are non-ionic to weakly cationic surfactants made by adding ethylene oxide to a fatty amine such as tallow amine, oleyl amine, coco amine, stearyl amine or lauryl amine. The nitrogen in the hydrophobe gives substantivity to negatively charged surfaces: fibre, metal, pigment and some soils. Dyna Glycols manufactures these grades to agreed EO moles, pH, colour and amine value.
What fatty amine ethoxylates are
Fatty amine ethoxylates are non-ionic to weakly cationic surfactants made by adding ethylene oxide to a fatty amine such as tallow amine, oleyl amine, coco amine, stearyl amine or lauryl amine. The nitrogen in the hydrophobe gives substantivity to negatively charged surfaces: fibre, metal, pigment and some soils. Dyna Glycols manufactures these grades to agreed EO moles, pH, colour and amine value.
At low pH the ethoxylated amine can pick up a proton and behave as a cationic. At neutral to alkaline pH it behaves more like a non-ionic emulsifier with extra adhesion. That dual character is why textile auxiliaries, agro formulations, asphalt emulsifiers, corrosion-inhibiting packages and pigment dispersions specify fatty amine ethoxylates rather than a simple alcohol ethoxylate of similar HLB.
How Dyna Glycols manufactures fatty amine ethoxylates
The named fatty amine is ethoxylated under controlled temperature and catalyst conditions to the target molar ratio. QA follows appearance, amine value, pH, colour, water and, where specified, cloud behaviour. Dedicated stainless-steel reactors and 24/7 laboratory support keep residual amine and colour inside the window written on the customer TDS.
Tallow, oleyl, coco, stearyl and lauryl amines are the usual hydrophobes. Customers who need a hydrogenated tallow cut, a distilled coco amine or a particular iodine value should state that on the enquiry so the correct feedstock is charged.
Typical grades in this range
Typical moles are listed below. Other amines and intermediate moles are made to order.
- Tallow amine: 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 EO moles
- Oleyl amine: 2, 15 EO moles
- Coco amine: 2, 5, 10, 15 EO moles
- Stearyl amine: 2, 5, 15, 50 EO moles
- Lauryl amine: 2 EO moles
Where fatty amine ethoxylates are used
Textile processing uses fatty amine ethoxylates as levelling, dispersing and antistatic auxiliaries, especially on synthetics where a weakly cationic handle is useful. They also appear in after-soaping and as emulsifiers for spin finishes.
Agro emulsifiable concentrates and suspoemulsions use tallow and coco amine ethoxylates as adjuvants that wet waxy leaves and keep oils dispersed. Asphalt and bitumen emulsification, metal-working packages and corrosion-inhibiting oils use low-mole grades for film-forming on steel.
Pigment and carbon-black dispersions, leather auxiliaries and industrial cleaners are further outlets. High-mole tallow or stearyl amine ethoxylates act as hydrophilic dispersants; two-mole grades remain oil-soluble wetting and corrosion-inhibiting agents.
How to specify fatty amine ethoxylates
Name the amine (tallow, oleyl, coco, stearyl or lauryl), the EO moles, and whether the grade must be low colour or low residual primary amine. Share the application pH, because cationic character is stronger in acid systems.
If the ethoxylate will go into an agro or asphalt emulsion, include the oil or bitumen type and the required HLB. Custom moles between catalogue points are routine on the same plant.
Quality, documents and supply
Each batch of fatty amine ethoxylates is released against the agreed certificate tests. SDS, TDS and COA are issued after verification of the company and the exact grade. Laboratory samples allow substantivity, emulsification and colour checks before bulk orders.
Supply is from Dyna Glycols in India. Store away from acids that were not part of the intended formula, keep containers closed, and warm high-mole pastes until uniform before sampling.
Practical notes on fatty amine ethoxylates
Amine value is the identity test that distinguishes fatty amine ethoxylates from alcohol ethoxylates of similar viscosity. It should appear on the TDS together with the stated moles.
Compatibility with anionics is limited at low pH, where the amine is protonated. In neutral detergent blends, fatty amine ethoxylates can still be used with care as foam or viscosity modifiers. Always check haze and viscosity after mixing.
Tallow amine 2 EO is a classic oil-soluble corrosion inhibitor and emulsifier intermediate. Tallow amine 15–20 EO is a common agro and textile hydrophilic grade. Matching the competitor mole is usually more reliable than matching only a trade name.
Colour can darken if the amine feedstock is oxidised or if reaction temperature runs high. Pale grades for textile and personal-care-adjacent uses should specify a Gardner or APHA maximum.
These products are not drop-in replacements for alkyl phenol ethoxylates. They are chosen when substantivity, antistatic effect or cationic assist is required. Dyna Glycols can sample a fatty alcohol ethoxylate in parallel if the formula only needs non-ionic wetting.
Handle according to the SDS. Fatty amine ethoxylates can be irritating; use eye and skin protection, and avoid inhalation of warm vapours when melting drums.
Ordering and evaluating fatty amine ethoxylates
Dyna Glycols supports fatty amine ethoxylates with laboratory samples, current SDS, TDS and COA from the Kandla SEZ manufacturing network. Tell us the intended application, the substrate, the required moles or molecular weight, and any limits on colour, odour, cloud point, hydroxyl value, pH or residual feedstock. A matching catalogue grade of fatty amine ethoxylates in the Ethoxylates family can then be confirmed, or a custom batch can be planned on the ethoxylation, esterification or related plant.
When you evaluate fatty amine ethoxylates, send the competitor grade if one exists, the bath or emulsion conditions, and the tests your receiving laboratory will run. Pack options for fatty amine ethoxylates typically include drums, IBCs and bulk where the viscosity and melting point of the selected grade allow safe handling from the Ethoxylates manufacturing line.
A first order of fatty amine ethoxylates is easier when the purchase specification lists identity tests, not only a local trade name. Hydroxyl value, saponification value, acid value, cloud point, pH, water, colour and appearance are the numbers the Kandla QA laboratory can lock. If your QC uses a different solvent or a different cloud-point electrolyte for fatty amine ethoxylates, write that method on the order so the COA speaks the same language.
Custom lots of fatty amine ethoxylates are quoted after the hydrophobe or acid/alcohol pair, the target analytical window, the annual volume and the pack. Pilot batches are available when a catalogue point in the Ethoxylates range is close but not exact. Once a trial lot is approved, that TDS should be frozen so the tenth delivery of fatty amine ethoxylates matches the first approved drum.
Storage of fatty amine ethoxylates should follow the SDS: keep containers closed, protect hygroscopic grades from moisture, and warm high-melt or high-mole grades until uniform before sampling. FIFO rotation protects colour and odour. If a drum of fatty amine ethoxylates has frozen or separated in transit, homogenise it before charging a batch; do not decant only the liquid layer.
Next step
Need a specification for this chemistry?
Tell us the substrate, EO/PO moles and the application. We will confirm a catalogue grade or a custom batch.