Triisopropanolamine (TIPA) 85% is an important aliphatic tertiary amine compound. And its main component is triisopropanolamine, with the remaining 15% typically consisting of water and trace impurities. The appearance is usually a colorless to pale yellow transparent viscous liquid. Due to the 15% water content, its viscosity is slightly lower than that of the pure product. It has no noticeable irritating odor, or only a faint amine smell. With excellent water solubility, chelation ability, alkalinity, and catalytic properties, Triisopropanolamine 85% is widely used in industries such as cement grinding aids, metalworking, coatings, daily chemicals, and more.Â
Performance Features of Triisopropanolamine (TIPA) 85%
- Strong Alkalinity and Buffering Capacity. TIPA 85% exhibits strong alkalinity, effectively adjusting the pH of various systems. It also provides stable buffering performance under acidic conditions, ensuring consistent product properties.
- Excellent Chelation and Complexing Ability. As a nitrogen-containing polyol, triisopropanolamine 85% forms stable complexes with metal ions, reducing their adverse effects and enhancing the stability of the formulation.
- High Water Solubility and Easy Compatibility. TIPA chemical is fully soluble in water and shows good compatibility with solvents, surfactants, and auxiliary agents, making it easy to incorporate into a wide range of aqueous systems.
- Enhanced Surfactant Performance. The product improves wetting, dispersing, and flow properties, resulting in better processing and application performance in coatings, inks, metalworking fluids, and other formulations.
- Effective Promoter and Catalytic Function. TIPA triisopropanolamine is widely used in cement grinding aids, where it enhances hydration, improves cement strength development, and increases grinding efficiency. It is an essential component in many composite additives.
- Low Volatility and Safe Handling. With low vapor pressure and mild odor, TIPA 85% minimizes evaporation during use and offers safer handling, especially in enclosed or high-temperature environments.
- Good Thermal and Chemical Stability. This chemical remains stable under typical industrial conditions, showing good resistance to heat and oxidation, ensuring reliable storage and transportation.
Product Specification
| Item | Triisopropanolamine (TIPA) 85% |
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow clear liquid |
| TIPA Content | ≥ 85% |
| Water Content | ≤ 15% |
| Density (20°C) | 1.06–1.08 g/cm³ |
| Viscosity (25°C) | Approx. 300–400 mPa·s |
| pH (10% solution) | 10.5–11.5 |
| Boiling Point | 305°C |
| Flash Point | 160°C |
| Solubility | 83g/100ml (20°C) |
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Main Applications
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Physical and Chemical Properties
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Storage and Transportation Requirements
(1) Cement Grinding Aid IndustryÂ
IPA 85% is a key component in high-performance cement grinding aids, accounting for over 60% of the total amount used. Its mechanisms and advantages include:
- Grinding Aid Function: During the cement grinding process, TIPA chemical adsorbs onto the surface of cement particles, reducing friction and adhesion between particles, breaking up particle agglomeration, improving grinding efficiency, and reducing energy consumption (typically saving 10%-20% of energy), while also increasing cement output.
- Strength Enhancement: TIPA triisopropanolamine can react with free CaO, Al₂O₃, and other components in cement to form stable chelates, promoting the full hydration of cement and significantly improving both early (3-day) strength (an increase of 10%-15%) and later (28-day) strength (an increase of 5%-10%), particularly beneficial for high-strength cement production.
- Strong Compatibility: It blends well with other grinding aid components (such as ethylene glycol, diethanolamine, wood calcium, etc.) and can be adjusted according to different cement types (e.g., Portland cement, slag cement), making it widely applicable.
- Solubility: TIPA chemical has a very high water solubility. It contains 15% water itself and can mix with water in any ratio. It is also soluble in most organic solvents, such as ethanol, isopropanol, and ethylene glycol, but insoluble in non-polar solvents like petroleum ether and n-hexane. This characteristic makes it particularly convenient for use in aqueous systems.
- Boiling Point and Freezing Point: Due to the water content, its boiling point is significantly lower than that of the pure product (approximately 305°C), around 190-200°C (at normal pressure, gradually increasing as water evaporates). The freezing point is approximately -15°C to -10°C, lower than that of the pure product (around 4°C), making it less likely to freeze during winter storage, thus improving ease of use.
- Density and Viscosity: At 25°C, the density is about 1.005-1.015 g/cm³ (for the pure product, it is about 1.024 g/cm³). The viscosity is approximately 50-80 mPa·s (for the pure product, it is about 300 mPa·s). The lower viscosity makes it easier to handle during stirring, transportation, and formulation.
- Chemical Activity: As a tertiary amine, TIPA 85% exhibits typical amine chemical properties. Its molecule contains three hydroxyl groups (-OH) and one tertiary amine group (-N(CH(OH)CH₃)₂). The hydroxyl groups enhance its hydrophilicity and chelation ability with metals, while the amine group imparts basicity and catalytic activity. It can react with acids to form salts, undergo esterification and etherification with substances like ethylene oxide and organic acids, and at high temperatures, it can react with metal oxides to form chelates.
- Stability: This chemical is stable under normal temperature, in a sealed container, and protected from light. It is not prone to decomposition. However, it reacts vigorously with strong oxidizing agents and strong acids. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures (over 150°C) or sunlight may cause gradual oxidation and discoloration, but this has little impact on its main properties.
Storage Conditions: TIPA 85% should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse, with the temperature controlled between 5-30°C. Direct sunlight and high temperatures should be avoided. The storage area should be kept away from open flames, heat sources, and areas where strong oxidizers or acids are stored. Storage containers should be made of corrosion-resistant materials, such as HDPE plastic drums or metal drums, and should be tightly sealed to prevent moisture evaporation and contamination from impurities.
Transportation Requirements: During transportation, relevant hazardous material transport regulations should be followed (although 85% TIPA has relatively low danger, it should still be transported as a flammable liquid). Transport vehicles must be equipped with fire extinguishing equipment, and mixing or co-transporting with strong acids or oxidizers is strictly prohibited. Care should be taken when handling the product to avoid damage or leakage of containers. For winter transport, no special insulation measures are necessary, but long-term exposure to temperatures below -15°C should be avoided.
Shelf Life: When stored under the appropriate conditions and in sealed containers, the shelf life is 12 months. After opening, the product should be used as soon as possible, and any remaining portion should be resealed.
- Metal Cleaning Agents: As a surfactant and chelating agent, TIPA 85% reacts with oil stains and rust (metal oxides) on metal surfaces, forming soluble chelates. Its alkalinity enhances its cleaning power and it is widely used for degreasing and rust removal of mechanical parts and hardware products, particularly suitable for aluminum alloys, steel, and other metals.
- Cutting Fluid Additives: In water-based cutting fluids, triisopropanolamine (TIPA) serves as a pH regulator, rust inhibitor, and stabilizer. It helps maintain an alkaline environment (pH 8-10) to prevent bacterial growth and forms a protective film on metal surfaces, preventing rusting during machining. It also improves the lubrication and stability of the cutting fluid.
- Coating Curing Agent: As a latent curing agent for epoxy resin coatings, TIPA 85%, when mixed with epoxy resin, remains stable at room temperature and cures rapidly at high temperatures (120-150°C), forming coatings with excellent properties, such as strong adhesion, chemical resistance, and aging resistance. It is suitable for industrial anti-corrosion coatings, floor coatings, and more.
- Adhesive Accelerator: In polyurethane and epoxy adhesives, TIPA chemical acts as a catalyst and crosslinking agent, accelerating the curing reaction of adhesives, enhancing adhesive strength, temperature resistance, and improving adhesion to polar materials (e.g., metals, ceramics).
- Daily Chemical Ingredients: In personal care products like shampoos and body washes, triisopropanolamine serves as a pH regulator and emulsifier, adjusting the product’s pH to a mild range (pH 5.5-7.0) while improving the emulsification stability and enhancing the feel of the product.
- Pharmaceutical Intermediates: TIPA can be used in the synthesis of certain pharmaceutical intermediates, such as antihistamines and local anesthetics, where its hydroxyl and amine functional groups provide convenient sites for modifying drug molecules.
- Textile Additives: As a fabric softener and antistatic agent, triisopropanolamine (TIPA) adsorbs onto fabric surfaces, reducing friction and enhancing softness, while also reducing static electricity buildup.
- Gas Purification: 85% TIPA can be used to remove acidic gases (e.g., Hâ‚‚S, COâ‚‚) from industrial exhaust gases through an amination reaction to form salts, thereby absorbing and removing the acidic gases. This makes it suitable for exhaust gas treatment in industries such as chemicals and power generation.
Factors Influencing the Market Price of TIPA 85%
- The market price of TIPA triisopropanolamine 85% is influenced by a combination of raw material cost fluctuations, supply availability, downstream demand, and broader economic factors. Since TIPA is produced mainly from propylene oxide and ammonia, any changes in petrochemical feedstock prices directly affect its production cost, making raw material volatility one of the most important drivers of price movement. At the same time, the operating status and capacity utilization of major manufacturers also play a key role; production cuts, plant maintenance, or supply disruptions often lead to tighter availability and upward price pressure, while increased output or new capacity additions tend to soften the market.
- Demand conditions from downstream industries—especially cement grinding aids, metalworking fluids, coatings, detergents, and oilfield chemicals—also significantly shape the pricing landscape. When construction and infrastructure projects expand, the consumption of triisopropanolamine in cement additives rises, driving prices higher; during slow economic periods, weaker demand exerts downward pressure. International trade dynamics further influence pricing, as strong export demand can reduce local supply and push prices up, whereas subdued export markets typically result in more competitive pricing domestically.
- Logistics and transportation costs, including freight rates and fuel prices, add another layer of variability, especially for exported or imported material. Currency exchange rates, particularly fluctuations between USD and CNY, also impact the cost competitiveness of international orders. Additionally, tightening environmental regulations can increase operating expenses for producers, indirectly contributing to higher market prices. Overall, TIPA 85% pricing is the result of interacting forces across raw materials, supply chain conditions, global demand cycles, competition, and economic trends.





