C16-C18 Alkyl Dimethyl Amine (DMA1618) CAS 68390-97-6

Specification

Grade Selection & What to Check on the COA

We carry two standard production grades to match different end-use requirements.

• Industrial grade: for asphalt emulsifiers, industrial water treatment chemicals and general cationic surfactants
• Low-odor grade: for personal care betaines and household fabric softener formulations

Warning: Do not substitute DMA1618 (CAS 68390-97-6) with C12-C14 alkyl dimethyl amine (DMA1214). Shorter carbon chains produce higher foam but weaker emulsification, and will cause failure in most asphalt binder and fabric softener formulations.

Verify these four parameters on every COA before acceptance:

• Tertiary amine content ≥97.0%: Lower purity increases by-product formation and reduces quaternization conversion rate.
• C16 chain content 65–70% / C18 chain content 30–35%: Deviations alter foam height, emulsification strength and low-temperature solubility of final products.
• Total amine value 208–215 mgKOH/g: Off-spec values require constant feed ratio adjustments and create batch-to-batch inconsistency.
• Color ≤50 APHA: Darker material discolors light-colored personal care and household end products.

Applications & Formulation Notes

• Quaternary Ammonium Salt Production: Primary feedstock for alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC) and dialkyl quats. Use 1:1.02–1:1.05 molar ratio of amine to alkylating agent. Heat to 75–85°C during reaction for full conversion.
• Betaine Surfactant Synthesis: Intermediate for alkyl dimethyl betaine production. Add amine to water first, then introduce sodium chloroacetate slowly under stirring. Maintain pH 8.0–9.0 throughout the reaction.
• Asphalt Emulsifier Manufacturing: Base intermediate for cationic slow-set and medium-set asphalt emulsions. Typical dosage in finished emulsion: 0.3–0.6% active matter.
• Fabric Softener Intermediates: Raw material for imidazoline and esterquat alternative softener formulations.

Formulation notes: Do not mix directly with strong inorganic acids. Solid amine salts will form instantly and cause blockages in transfer lines. Keep separate from strong oxidizers at all processing stages.

Packaging, Loading & Shipping

• Packaging: 170 kg net weight steel drums with food-grade PE inner liner. ISO tank containers available for bulk vessel orders.
• 20’FCL Loading: [TO CONFIRM: 80 drums / 13.6 MT net without pallets; 72 drums / 12.24 MT net with standard wooden pallets]
• DG Classification: UN 2735, Class 8 (Corrosive), Packing Group III. Classified as dangerous goods for all modes of international transport.
• Shipping damage prevention: All drum bungs get tamper-evident seals. Palletized loads receive full stretch wrap. We stow all drums with bungs facing upward to prevent leakage from pressure changes during ocean transit.

Technical FAQ

What is C16-C18 Alkyl Dimethyl Amine used for in asphalt production?

It serves as a core intermediate for cationic asphalt emulsifiers used in road construction and pavement maintenance.

The amine provides the positively charged hydrophobic tail that stabilizes asphalt droplets in water.

How to store DMA1618 (CAS 68390-97-6) to prevent discoloration?

Store in sealed original drums in a cool, dry warehouse away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Keep storage temperature below 40°C and isolate from oxidizing materials to maintain color stability.

What is the shelf life of C16-C18 alkyl dimethyl amine?

24 months from date of manufacture when stored under recommended conditions.

Color may darken slightly after 18 months, but core performance parameters stay within specification.

DMA1618 vs DMA1214: which works better for fabric softeners?

DMA1618 delivers better softening performance and lower foam than DMA1214 for fabric softener formulations.

DMA1214 suits high-foam cleaning products, while DMA1618 is the standard choice for rinse-cycle softeners.

Procurement FAQ

Can I get a sample of DMA1618 for formulation testing?

Yes, we can supply 500g to 1kg sample packs for laboratory evaluation and quality verification.

[TO CONFIRM: Sample charge policy and lead time for sample delivery]

What is the minimum order quantity for C16-C18 Alkyl Dimethyl Amine?

[TO CONFIRM: 1 x 20’FCL (13.6 MT) as standard MOQ; LCL trial shipments available for first-time buyers]

Smaller trial quantities can be arranged via LCL freight for initial qualification testing.

Do you provide REACH registration for this product?

[TO CONFIRM: REACH registration status and available tonnage band for EU customers]

We can provide full REACH compliance documentation for orders shipped to the European Union.

What documents come with each commercial shipment?

Every shipment includes commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, batch COA and current SDS.

Dangerous Goods Declaration and all required DG transport documents are included for ocean and air freight.