Dispersing Agent, Solvent-borne, Speciality Additive

VP 6402 Wetting and dispersing agent

Tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (CAS No: 64-02-8), commonly known as EDTA-Na4, is a foundational industrial chemical that functions as a high-efficiency sequestering agent and stabilizer. In the realm of industrial wetting and dispersing, its primary role is to neutralize the interference of polyvalent metal ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, which are ubiquitous in process water. By forming stable, water-soluble coordination complexes with these ions, it prevents the precipitation of insoluble salts that would otherwise hinder surfactant performance and cause flocculation. This chemical ensures that wetting agents can lower surface tension effectively without being deactivated by hard water minerals. Furthermore, it acts as a vital dispersing aid by maintaining the suspension of particulate matter in aqueous media. Its ability to inhibit metal-catalyzed oxidation also makes it indispensable for preserving the chemical integrity and color stability of complex industrial formulations over extended periods.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Exceptional Chelation: High capacity for binding hard water minerals and transition metals to prevent scaling and residue.
Synergistic Wetting: Enhances the performance of anionic and nonionic surfactants by removing ionic interference.
Chemical Stabilization: Prevents the oxidative degradation of organic components catalyzed by trace metallic impurities.
Broad pH Versatility: Maintains robust sequestering activity across a wide range of pH levels, particularly in alkaline industrial environments.
Improved Solubility: Facilitates the clear dissolution of components in concentrated liquid formulations, preventing turbidity and sedimentation.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Chemical Identity: Tetrasodium salt of EDTA with the molecular formula C10H12N2Na4O8.
Molecular Weight: Approximately 380.17 g/mol, allowing for precise stoichiometric calculations in industrial dosing.
Coordination Chemistry: Features a hexadentate ligand structure that encapsulates metal ions in a stable 1:1 ratio.
Chelation Value: Demonstrates a high calcium carbonate binding capacity (typically >230 mg CaCO3/g of active salt).
Physical State: Highly soluble in water; available in both white crystalline powder and concentrated aqueous solution forms.
Thermal Stability: Exhibits high resistance to thermal decomposition, suitable for high-temperature industrial processes.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Industrial Cleaning: Essential in heavy-duty detergents and degreasers for soil suspension and water softening.
Textile Processing: Used as a dispersant in dyeing and bleaching to prevent metal-induced spotting and dye decomposition.
Pulp and Paper: Employed to sequester transition metals that would otherwise catalyze the wasteful decomposition of peroxide bleaching agents.
Water Treatment: Functions as a scale inhibitor in boiler systems and cooling towers to maintain heat transfer efficiency.
Personal Care: Integrated into soaps and shampoos to ensure consistent lathering and clarity in diverse water hardness conditions.