Cetrimonium chloride (INCI name: Cetrimonium chloride) is a classic quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant. With its unique chemical structure and multifunctional properties, it occupies an important position in several industrial fields such as daily chemicals, textiles, and cleaning.OSMFACT® MY1631-50 is one of the core raw materials of Catic conditioner. Compared with similar
Behentrimonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride has more advantages in cost performance and compatibility. As a representative formula in this type of product, the components are controlled accurately, the performance is stable, and it can be adapted to a variety of application scenarios. It is a high-quality raw material that has attracted much attention in the industry.
I. Basic characteristics of Cetrimonium chloride
1. Chemical structure
The chemical formula of Cetrimonium chloride is C₁₉H₄₂ClN and the molecular weight is 319.9 Da. The molecular structure is mainly composed of three parts: a long-chain hydrophobic group, a hydrophilic quaternary ammonium cationic group, and a chloride ion.This structure allows it to have its own typical surface activity, which can be arranged in a directional manner at the gas-liquid and liquid-liquid interface, reducing the surface tension, and then exerting the basic functions of emulsification, dispersion, and solubilization.
As a quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant, cetrimonium chloride's positively charged properties give it a strong adsorption capacity on negatively charged substances. This is also the core reason why it can achieve soft, antistatic, and bactericidal functions-after adsorbing on the surface of fibers, hairs, or microorganisms, changing their charge state and surface properties can achieve the desired effect.
2. Core physical and chemical properties
Appearance and form: MY1631-50 uses a water-ethanol mixed solvent system, which looks like a colorless and transparent liquid with a characteristic odor, and has particularly good fluidity at 25℃.
Solubility: It is easily soluble in polar solvents such as water and ethanol. The water-soluble design of MY1631-50 allows it to quickly integrate into various water-based formula systems and has super adaptability.
Stability: It has good stability at room temperature, dark and sealed conditions, and is not easy to decompose; its pH value (1% aqueous solution, 25℃) is controlled between 6-8, neutral to weakly alkaline, and it is compatible with the formula pH range of most daily chemicals and cleaning products.
Active substance content: The active substance content of industrial-grade products is generally between 40% and 90%. The active substance content of MY1631-50 is accurately controlled at 48%-52%, and the typical value is 49.55%. It belongs to a medium and high concentration formula, which can not only ensure the functional effect, but also facilitate subsequent formula dilution and adjustment.
Key indicators: Amine value ≤3.5 mgKOH/g, chromaticity ≤50 APHA, which can ensure high purity and light color of the product, and will not affect the appearance of the end product.
3.Core features
Soft function: After being adsorbed on the surface of the fibers or hair, a lubricating film will be formed to reduce the friction between the fibers and the hair, so that the fabric feels soft and smooth, and the hair is also soft and easy to comb. This is also the reason why it can become the core raw material of fabric softener and conditioner.
Antistatic function: Cationic groups will be adsorbed on the surface of negatively charged fibers or objects to neutralize the electric charge, reduce static accumulation, and avoid fabric pilling, dust adsorption, or dry and frizzy hair. It is especially suitable for product formulas in dry environments.
Sterilization function: Quaternary ammonium cations can destroy the cell membrane structure of microorganisms, inhibit their metabolism and reproduction, and have obvious killing or inhibitory effects on bacteria, fungi, etc., and can be used in disinfection products, antibacterial cleaners and other fields.
Emulsifying and thickening functions: It can play the role of emulsifying and dispersing in the formula system, so that the oil phase components are evenly dispersed in the aqueous phase; low content (less than 50%) of cetrimonium chloride can also play a synergistic thickening effect, improve the rheological characteristics of the product, and enhance the user experience.
II. Performance advantages of MY1631-50
The formula design of MY1631-50 fully considers the practicality and safety of industrial applications, and has outstanding advantages.
1.Precise group allocation ratio
| INCI Name | Concentration Range | CAS Number | Function |
| Cetrimonium chloride | 48-50% | 112-02-7 | Core functional ingredient, provides softening, antistatic, antibacterial, and emulsifying properties |
| ALCOHOL | 30-35% | 64-17-5 | Solvent, solubilizer, improves product stability and solubility |
| WATER | 15-20% | 7732-18-5 | Solvent carrier, adjusts concentration, suitable for water-based formulations |
The core advantage of this ratio is that it uses medium and high concentrations of cetrimonium chloride to ensure functional strength. Adding ethanol not only enhances the solubility of the active ingredient and product stability, but also avoids the irritation caused by high concentrations of ethanol. Water as the carrier makes the product liquid, which is easy to measure, add and use, and reduces the difficulty of production operations.
2.Quality control standards
MY1631-50 implements factory inspection and type inspection standards, and the key quality indicators have reached the industry-leading level.：
Chromaticity: 30 APHA, the standard is ≤50 APHA, the product color is lighter, and it will not affect the appearance of the end product.
Amine value: 2.37 mgKOH/g, the standard is ≤3.5 mgKOH/g, the impurity content is particularly low, and the purity is higher.
Active substance content: 49.55%, the standard is 48-52%, which is in the optimal range, and the functional effect is stable.
pH value: 6.9, the standard is 6-8, neutral formula, strong compatibility.
The strict control of these indicators ensures product consistency and reliability, and provides a stable raw material guarantee for the formula production of downstream enterprises.
3.Differentiated performance advantages
Multifunctional integration: it integrates functions such as softness, antistatic, sterilization, emulsification, and thickening, which can reduce the types of ingredients in the formula, reduce production costs, and avoid compatibility conflicts between multiple raw materials.
Low content and high performance: low content (less than 50%) of cetrimonium chloride can show excellent synergistic thickening and antistatic effects, which is very suitable for acidic formula toilet cleaners and hard surface cleaners.
Safety compatibility: The product has a neutral pH and low irritation. It has undergone strict toxicological evaluation. It is safe to use within the recommended dosage range. It has certain compatibility with anionic and nonionic surfactants and can be adapted to a variety of formulation systems.
Environmental adaptability: The storage conditions are very loose, just store at room temperature, avoid light and airtight, and the validity period is up to 1 year, which is convenient for storage and transportation.
III. Core application areas of Cetrimonium chloride
Relying on its own multifunctional characteristics and the product advantages of MY1631-50, the application field of cetrimonium chloride has been expanding, covering many industries such as daily chemicals, textiles, cleaning, and disinfection. The following is a detailed introduction to the main application scenarios.：
1.Daily chemical field: the core raw material of hair care
Conditioner and hair mask: As a hair conditioner, cetrimonium chloride will adsorb on the surface of the hair, neutralize the negative charge of the hair scales, reduce friction and static electricity between the hair scales, and make the hair smooth and combable, reducing dryness and bifurcation.Its softness function can also improve the rough feel of damaged hair and enhance the gloss and smoothness of hair.The recommended dosage of MY1631-50 is 1.0-3.0%, which is suitable for resident and rinsing hair products. After compounding with silicone oil, glycerin and other ingredients, the effect will be better.In high-end hair care products, it can also be used with
Amino silicone emulsion.
2.Textile field: fabric softener and antistatic treatment agent
Fabric softener: Whether it is industrial textile finishing or household clothing softener, cetrimonium chloride is one of the core raw materials.It is adsorbed on the surface of cotton, linen, chemical fiber and other fibers to form a lubricating film, reduce the friction between the fibers, make the fabric feel soft and fluffy, while reducing static electricity generation, and avoid clothes from absorbing dust, pilling and knotting.The liquid form of MY1631-50 is convenient for compounding with other soft ingredients, and is suitable for industrial-scale production and household product formulas.
Antistatic finishing: In the production of chemical fiber fabrics, cetrimonium chloride can be applied to the surface of the fabric by dipping, spraying, etc. To neutralize the high static electricity of chemical fiber and improve the processing performance and use experience of the fabric, especially suitable for polyester, nylon and other fibers that are prone to static electricity.
3. Cleaning field: acidic formula and hard surface cleaner
Acidic toilet cleaner: In toilet cleaners containing hydrochloric acid, citric acid and other acidic ingredients, the thickening function of cetrimonium chloride can improve the wall-mounted performance of the product, extend the contact time with the dirt on the inner wall of the toilet, and improve the cleaning effect. At the same time, its antistatic and bactericidal functions can reduce dirt residues and bacteria growth, making the cleaned surface cleaner and not easy to stain.
Hard surface cleaner: It is suitable for hard surface cleaners such as floors, ceramic tiles, and glass. Its emulsifying function can disperse oil stains, and its antistatic function can reduce dust adsorption and keep the cleaned surface clean for a long time.
IV. Development trend
The development of cetrimonium chloride is likely to show three major trends：
Low irritation and high purity: In the future, the product will further optimize the purification process, reduce the impurity content and reduce irritation, especially suitable for daily chemicals, maternal and infant and other fields with higher safety requirements.
Multifunctional compounding: Through compounding with nonionic surfactants, natural extracts, etc., a composite raw material with multiple functions such as softness, antistatic, moisturizing, and repairing has been developed to meet the multifunctional needs of end products.
Sustainability: Develop cetrimonium chloride derivatives with better biodegradable properties to reduce the impact on the aquatic environment, while optimizing production processes, reducing energy consumption and pollutant emissions, and achieving green production.
As an important representative of cationic surfactants, Cetrimonium chloride, with its unique multifunctional properties, will continue to deepen its application in daily chemicals, textiles, cleaning and other fields.With precise formula design, strict quality control and wide application adaptability, MY1631-50 provides the industry with high-quality raw material solutions.
Yichang Mingya New Material Technology Co., Ltd.
