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Tallow amine ethoxylates are a class of non-ionic, polyethoxylated fatty amine surfactants derived from animal fats (tallow).
Variants with average ethylene oxide (EO) chain lengths such as ~10 EO and ~15 EO are widely used as emulsifiers, wetting agents, adjuvants in agrochemical formulations, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents and in textile and coating industries.
Their properties (hydrophile-lipophile balance, water solubility, foaming, cloud point, pKa of the amine center after ethoxylation, etc.) depend on the average EO number and the composition of the tallow hydrophobe (C16–C18 distribution).
This article compiles identity, synthesis, analytical characterization, formulation practice, performance data, environmental behavior, regulatory context and manufacturing considerations. Key industrial uses, compatibility and substitution options are discussed.
Identity and nomenclature
Preferred name: Tallow amine, ethoxylated (generic)
Typical commercial grades: Tallow Amine 10 EO, Tallow Amine 15 EO (sometimes abbreviated TAM-10, TAM-15 or POE(10)-tallow amine / POE(15)-tallow amine).
CAS registry number (commonly cited for ethoxylated tallow amine mixtures): 61791-26-2. (This CAS has been used for a range of ethoxylated tallow alkyl amine products in catalogs and regulatory listings.)
Synonyms / trade names / related identifiers (non-exhaustive):
Polyethoxylated tallow amine
Amines, tallow alkyl, ethoxylated
PEG-10 (or PEG-15) hydrogenated tallow amine
POE(10) tallow amine / POE(15) tallow amine
Ethomeen® T/15 (example trade name for 15 EO products).
Typical chemical description: mixture of N-alkyl (mainly C16–C18) primary/secondary fatty amines whose nitrogen has been ethoxylated with an average of ~10 or ~15 molar equivalents of ethylene oxide.
The hydrophobic tail distribution reflects the fat feedstock: oleyl (~C18:1), palmitoyl (C16), stearyl (C18:0), etc.
Molecular structure and general chemistry
Tallow amine ethoxylates are polyoxyethylene derivatives of long-chain aliphatic amines.
A simplified structural representation for a primary tallow amine ethoxylate is:
R–NH–(CH₂CH₂–O)_n–H
where R is a mixed C16–C18 alkyl chain (tallow-derived) and n ≈ 10 or 15. Ethoxylation converts the relatively hydrophobic alkyl-amine into an amphiphilic, non-ionic surfactant: the polyether chain imparts water solubility and steric stabilization, while the long alkyl tail provides interfacial activity.
The residual basicity of the nitrogen can impart some pH-dependent behavior; in practice, ethoxylated amines often behave as non-ionic surfactants but may show slight cationic/amphoteric interactions depending on formulation and pH.
Production and synthesis
Raw materials: animal tallow (or hydrogenated tallow), ethylene oxide (EO), and reagents for converting fatty acids to fatty amines (commonly via the nitrile process or reduction of fatty acid derivatives).
Overview of route:
Tallow → fatty acids: hydrolysis/vegetable/animal fat fractionation provides a C16–C18 fatty acid mixture.
Fatty acid → fatty amine: conversion to a fatty nitrile and subsequent hydrogenation (nitrile process) or via other aminating routes yields fatty (primary) alkyl amines (tallow amines).
Ethoxylation: the fatty amine is reacted with controlled molar equivalents of ethylene oxide under base or acid catalysts and temperature control to yield an average EO substitution (e.g., 10 or 15 EO). Reaction control (EO feed rate, temperature, catalyst) determines EO distribution and average degree of ethoxylation.
Typical quality variables: average EO number (target ± distribution), residual free amine content, degree of hydrogenation of the alkyl chain (hydrogenated tallow to minimize unsaturation), water content, and ash/inorganic residues.
Industrial suppliers offer grades specified by average EO and viscosity/active content.
Physico-chemical properties
Properties vary with EO number and alkyl distribution; the following are typical observations:
Appearance: viscous liquid to waxy solid depending on EO and hydrogenation; many commercial 10–15 EO grades are viscous liquids or low-melting waxy solids.
Odor: faint fatty/ammoniacal.
Solubility: water-soluble at practical concentrations (solubility increases with EO number).
Lower EO numbers may have limited solubility and form emulsions/dispersion.
Soluble in alcohols, certain polar organic solvents.
HLB & surface activity: increasing EO raises hydrophilicity (HLB) and lowers foaming tendencies; EO ≈10–15 gives strong emulsification and wetting performance while retaining some hydrophobic affinity for oils/waxes.
pH behavior: as ethoxylated amines, they are largely non-ionic but can interact via the tertiary/secondary amine centers and exhibit slight pH-dependent adsorption/interaction.
Cloud point: may be relevant for aqueous solutions and is EO-dependent.
Thermal stability: stable under typical processing temperatures but prolonged exposure to strong acid/base or oxidation can degrade polyether chains.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT TALLOW AMINE 10, 15 ETHOXYLATE
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
