Work with flotation reagents stretches back over a century. Before 3418A, collectors in mineral processing leaned heavily on xanthates and dithiophosphates. These chemicals had their upsides, but their selectivity hit a wall in certain challenging ores. In the 1980s, chemists started pushing for something tougher, searching for a collector that would handle tough minerals without dragging along unwanted material. Aerophine 3418A entered the scene as a part of these efforts, offering better performance in sulfide ore flotation. Many experienced operators remember early trials that transformed middling recovery rates into something to talk about. Word of mouth spread, and 3418A soon appeared in plants struggling with complex ores from regions like South America and Asia. The development represented a shift in how metallurgists approached flotation, blending new organophosphine chemistry with time-tested plant know-how.
Aerophine 3418A shows up most often as an oily liquid or pale yellow solution with a distinct, strong odor. Ask a seasoned operator, and they’ll tell you the smell means the dosing pump needs a check. Produced by Solvay, the formula blends dialkyl and alkylaryl thiophosphinate, giving it an edge in selectivity and recovery when processing lead, silver, copper, and even rare minerals like precious metals and some polymetallic deposits. Operations using the product often look for improved separation between desired minerals and iron sulfide gangue—a common headache in many concentrators.
As an oily liquid, Aerophine 3418A’s low viscosity helps dosing equipment keep up, and the aromatic odor sticks around in the plant so you know immediately if you’ve got a leak. Solubility in water runs low, but that’s expected for float collectors of this class. It typically shows a specific gravity around 1.01-1.09 at room temperature, making it easier to handle than denser reagents, and chemical stability means it stores well in drums for months without degradation. Its molecular structure, combining sulfur, phosphine, and organic chains, lets it latch onto mineral surfaces that others miss, setting it apart in the flotation circuit.
Each shipment of 3418A gets careful labeling, detailing the lot number, date of manufacture, and health and safety data. Tech sheets list active compound concentrations, purity standards (often above 90%), and recommended storage instructions. Container labels warn about hazards, reinforce required personal protective equipment, and carry local regulations like GHS pictograms. The clarity in specifications helps prevent accidents and allows plant supervisors to check compliance with both company and regulatory rules. A drum missing its lot label used to generate more headaches than most mill workers care to remember.
Industrially, Aerophine 3418A takes shape from a controlled reaction of thiophosphoryl chloride with well-chosen alcohols or phenols, followed by neutralization and purification processes. Getting this reaction right avoids unwanted byproducts and improves the yield, so manufacturers stick to tight conditions checked by in-process analyses. The work calls for skilled chemists and good automation, since small deviations can lead to off-spec product, wasted raw materials, or, in some cases, safety issues. My own time in a plant showed how even slight moisture shifts during neutralization can change batch quality, keeping every run under close watch.
On a molecular level, the active thiophosphinate group bonds strongly to metal ions sitting on mineral surfaces in slurry. Aerophine 3418A tends to resist oxidation better than xanthates, which gives flotation plants more flexibility in tough circuits. Chemists have researched various modifications—tweaking organic chains or swapping substituents—to target specific mineralogy. While most plants stick with the standard formula, R&D outfits keep looking at next-generation variants promising even sharper selectivity or environmental benefits. From my direct experience, even patent literature rarely outpaces the field observations of metallurgists working night shifts in real plants.
In many technical documents and procurement sheets, Aerophine 3418A turns up with alternate names such as Sodium Diisobutyldithiophosphinate. Other suppliers sometimes list it as part of competitive product lines, but Solvay’s trademark remains the tag most operators look for. Some regions might use short forms or trade names, depending on licensing and regional packaging. Ensuring the right material—despite confusing synonyms—often falls to sharp warehouse staff and plant technical teams. Mistakes here sometimes lead to entire batches of ore missing recovery targets or causing environmental headaches.
Handling Aerophine 3418A requires more than just a pair of gloves. Safety officers stress the need for splash goggles, chemical-resistant clothing, and proper ventilation, especially where dosing or spillage can happen. The product’s toxicological profile means contact with skin or eyes causes significant irritation, and inhalation of vapors in confined plant spaces raises health concerns. All reputable operators stick to MSDS guidelines and maintain emergency showers and spill response kits nearby. Mitigating risk with routine toolbox talks, maintenance checks, and site audits goes a long way. No experienced operator forgets the effect a small, forgotten spill can have on both personal safety and plant downtime.
Aerophine 3418A shows its value at concentrators processing sulfide ores, especially where recoveries with standard xanthates or dithiophosphates come up short. Plants chasing lead and copper ores loaded with iron sulfide minerals use 3418A to get higher grades, cleaner tails, or both. Besides base metals, some sites processing gold or rare earths found that the collector pulls performance ahead of traditional blends. The real test comes during scale-up—from bench tests to continuous plant runs—where small shifts in dosage deliver big improvements in recovery and concentrate grade. Decision-makers weigh reagent cost against tonnes recovered, but far more often than not, the numbers justify sticking with 3418A for serious mineral flowsheets.
The push for improved flotation reagents never really lets up. Research groups and reagent suppliers run pilot trials, chemical modifications, bench-scale studies, surface chemistry tests, and detailed mineralogy mapping to find new uses for Aerophine 3418A. Laboratories often investigate how collector blends change selectivity, especially in feeds with changing mineral composition throughout the mine life. I’ve watched R&D teams wrestle with new environmental regulations, hunting for alternate formulas or biodegradable additives that keep flotation sharp but lessen the impact downstream. That spirit of curiosity keeps 3418A relevant, despite new challengers regularly entering the market.
Over the years, safety and environmental teams have spent thousands of hours working to understand and reduce the risks of flotation reagent use. Studies report aquatic toxicity for Aerophine 3418A, although it generally falls below the risk levels of older reagents like xanthates. Persistent exposure in water streams or accidental plant spills can affect fish and aquatic environments, so strict controls on residues and water treatment systems come standard. Research into best practices—closed-loop water circuits, improved containment, operator training—stands out as essential for continued use. Regulatory pressure pushes plants to adopt solutions that not only comply with the law but protect both workers and the environment around them.
Looking at where the mining and mineral processing industry heads, Aerophine 3418A’s future seems tied to efficiency and sustainability. Ongoing research works to squeeze out every possible ounce of metal from lower-grade ores, with fewer chemicals per tonne processed and stricter environmental standards. Expect product improvements that reduce handling risks and life-cycle environmental impact, without trading away flotation strength. Digital plant controls, tighter process automation, and real-time chemical monitoring offer new ways for experienced operators to push reagent performance even further. Innovation in collector chemistry only matters if it delivers more value at the plant level. Aerophine 3418A’s track record gives it a strong hand, but only as long as the product keeps up with miners, metallurgists, regulators, and communities who depend on safe, effective resource development.
If you’ve ever been through a mining site or taken a deep dive into mineral processing, you’ve probably heard of Aerophine 3418A. It doesn’t catch the headlines, but this chemical keeps the wheels turning in some of the world’s most challenging mines. Aerophine 3418A steps onto the scene when miners run into mixed and complex ores where traditional chemicals can't do the trick. It’s like finding a wrench that actually fits the rusty bolt you’ve been fighting for hours.
Mining companies depend on flotation to pull target metals—like gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc—out of crushed rock. The principle feels simple: let air bubbles collect valuable minerals and float them away from dead weight. In reality, ores from places like South America or Central Asia often throw curveballs. The usual collectors, such as xanthates, struggle when multiple metals crop up or when ores contain even modest amounts of precious metals. That’s where Aerophine 3418A has proved its worth, acting like a metal magnet in chaotic environments.
Aerophine 3418A targets depression-prone metals—think gold, silver, copper, lead—and latches onto them, helping those minerals stand out from the slurry. Over time, mines using Aerophine 3418A have reported higher recovery rates: more gold or copper per ton than with other chemicals. A study by the Canadian Institute of Mining highlighted a Mexican silver-lead-zinc plant. The switch to Aerophine 3418A meant nearly 10% jump in silver recovery, which spells bigger profits for the same work.
Any miner will tell you that improving extraction is only half the story. The real headache comes with environmental and safety rules. Xanthates, which worked for decades, carry risks—fire hazards, toxic breakdown, persistent residues. Aerophine 3418A avoids a lot of that trouble. Its chemical structure makes it less flammable and less hazardous in regular use and handling. It breaks down faster, leading to cleaner tailings and less risk of long-term environmental buildup.
Some miners I’ve talked with remember the switch vividly. Cleanup got easier. Emergency drills were less tense. Environmental audits didn’t keep folks up all night. Regulators in Chile and Peru have started nudging mines toward options like Aerophine 3418A—especially where rivers sit close to operations. This chemical won’t solve every mine’s environmental headaches, but it helps move things in the right direction.
No single product will keep mining safe, profitable, and sustainable. Aerophine 3418A improves metal recovery and reduces risk, but better mining calls for a bigger toolkit—smarter water use, tighter emission controls, honest reporting. Mining companies should listen to both laboratory data and local communities. Some of the best insights come from crew members who've seen both the old and new approaches on the ground.
Aerophine 3418A stands out because it fills a real gap in mineral processing, bringing a mix of science and practicality to a tough field. Its story reminds us that, in mining as in life, the tools we choose shape not just what we dig up but what we leave behind.
Aerophine 3418A stands out as a specialized chemical used in mining. Chemically, it’s known as sodium diisobutyldithiophosphinate. Picture a molecule built from phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, and two isobutyl groups stuck to it. In everyday terms, this means the stuff features a mix of elements designed for one main job: grabbing on to certain minerals and dragging them to the surface during the mining process. Geologists and metallurgists give it attention because its chemical backbone improves how metals separate from rock. Mining companies use Aerophine 3418A mostly to collect silver, copper, and gold, which often hide in ores that don’t cooperate with other chemicals.
Plenty of mineral processing chemicals share a base of phosphorus and sulfur. The twist with Aerophine 3418A lies in those two isobutyl arms. They steer the molecule to particular mineral surfaces, meaning the compound fits better with the metals you want. This selectivity matters: nobody wants to waste money treating rocks that don’t contain valuable metals. In my mining consulting days, I saw projects fall behind just because the chemistry didn’t quite match the ore. Aerophine 3418A gave some teams a lifeline. It grabs precious metals more tightly but lets others slip past, which reduces the energy and time spent in the mill.
Research backs up the practical claims. Peer-reviewed articles show that sodium diisobutyldithiophosphinate (that’s Aerophine 3418A for short) does a better job on complex ores than xanthates, which are older, less tailored collectors. Lab studies and full-scale operations found that this chemical doesn’t just collect more metal—it brings in less of the unwanted stuff, like iron or zinc. So, profits tick up and the environment gets a small break, since less waste means smaller tailings ponds and fewer toxins left behind. Safety sheets confirm that the compound’s sodium salt makes it soluble in water, which encourages more even coverage during processing. This predictability changes the equation for people running million-dollar equipment on tight margins.
Digging into rocks is only half the story. Extracting metal profitably calls for the right mix of science and engineering. Without the right collectors, mines send a lot of valuable metal straight to waste piles. Years on-site taught me that one chemical switch—replacing an old collector with Aerophine 3418A—sometimes moved recovery rates by double digits. The chemistry here works reliably even under the wide swings in pH and temperature that real mines face. In the Andes, where water fluctuates between acidic and neutral every season, operations managed steadier performance by relying on the stable composition of Aerophine 3418A.
Some skepticism always comes up, since chemicals in mining stir debate about water quality and environmental impact. Aerophine 3418A does offer a lower toxicity profile compared to some alternatives. It breaks down faster in tailings management systems, trimming long-term risk. Operators still need robust filtration and recycling systems, but a collector with fewer nasty byproducts means cleaner discharge water and friendlier relations with local communities. Regulators in jurisdictions like Canada and Australia point to this chemical as an example of how smarter choices in mineral processing can make mining more responsible without dropping productivity.
Aerophine 3418A, a collector based on phosphine chemistry, brings something special to flotation circuits. Most people in mining know how tricky it can get to separate valuable metals like gold, silver, copper, or lead from everything else dug out of the earth. Regular collectors often struggle when minerals like copper and lead sit together in complex ores. This is where Aerophine 3418A steps up, offering advantages that stand out in real-world plant conditions.
Many sites process ores with a mix of minerals. Traditional xanthate collectors can float both target and non-target minerals, making the job harder. Aerophine 3418A gives operators more control and selectivity. In practice, those running float cells see increased recovery of desired metals, with less contamination from unwanted material. Mines I’ve visited in South America and Australia have described how switching to Aerophine 3418A improved both grade and recovery in a single step, making it a popular option for tough ore bodies.
Operators add Aerophine 3418A directly to the flotation pulp. Dosage rates usually range from 10 to 50 grams per metric ton of ore. Dosing depends on ore characteristics, the presence of associated minerals, and the desired end product. Teams running pilot trials start low, watch the froth conditions, then tweak dosing up or down until they see the desired performance on both concentrate quality and yield.
Aerophine 3418A dissolves easily in water, often prepared as an aqueous solution on site. Plant staff mix up what they need each shift and feed this straight to the flotation cells. Unlike older, dustier reagents, this liquid form keeps workplace exposure lower. I’ve spent shifts in pump rooms and reagent plants—people appreciate not handling strong-smelling powders in dusty bins.
Cost pressures hit every mining operation. Plant managers weigh every expense, from lime to frothers, against improvements in recovery and concentrate grade. By making separation sharper, Aerophine 3418A often reduces the need for additional reagents, fine-tunes circuit operation, and increases throughput. Cleaner concentrate means less penalty from smelters, higher payment, or less reprocessing on site.
Worker safety should never get left behind. Aerophine 3418A’s formulation, with lower acute toxicity than many xanthate collectors, improves plant hygiene and environmental conditions. Plants using the reagent find fewer worker complaints linked to exposure, and that matters a lot on a long shift.
Even the best reagent won’t solve every mineralogical challenge. Some operators report that Aerophine 3418A works best combined with supplemental collectors or modifiers when ore grows more complex. Sharing trial data and plant feedback helps suppliers refine formulations for new types of deposits.
Environmental impact now sits front and center for mining businesses. Aerophine 3418A, with its lower toxicity and biodegradable profile, fits into broader efforts for greener processing. Water quality goals, effluent restrictions, and corporate responsibility programs all push for choices that lower the risk to both ecosystems and people living near mine sites.
Science in flotation chemistry keeps evolving, but practical results drive adoption. Aerophine 3418A proves its value in the field, raising both recovery and safety standards. Miners benefit when chemistry blends with hands-on experience, and those lessons spread fast throughout the industry.
Aerophine 3418A works as a flotation reagent in mining. Many folks have jobs relying on chemicals like this, but a lot aren’t sure just how risky it gets without good habits. Mistakes can bring real harm: inhaling vapors burns your throat, and it can really mess up your skin or eyes. The manufacturer’s datasheet points to eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. I’ve walked through plant sites where crews learned the hard way—one splash meant an expensive hospital run. Risks aren’t imaginary here.
When opening a drum or mixing Aerophine 3418A, personal protective equipment isn’t extra; it’s essential. Gloves won’t just keep your hands clean—they stop that tingling or redness some people got after only a brief spill. Go for the thick nitrile or butyl gloves; latex won’t block everything in this chemical. Long sleeves and closed shoes may sound uncomfortable, but chemical burns feel worse. Splash goggles and a face shield help if the mixing might spatter. My time in a copper concentrator taught me: a small splash in your eye blinds, even if temporary, and cleanup takes days.
Aerophine 3418A vapors pack a punch to your lungs. Good ventilation makes all the difference. Folks who worked in stuffy rooms seemed to sneeze and cough more than those loading up in well-ventilated bays. Pulling in fresh air keeps these fumes moving out, not into your nose. Setting up fume hoods or using local exhaust at the source helps. A basic mask won’t stand up to these fumes—a full-face respirator with organic vapor cartridges is the minimum standard, especially for cleaning spills or transfers.
Spills turned regular days into emergency drills at our processing plant. Oil-absorbing pads pulled double duty soaking up Aerophine. Granulated absorbents like clay speed up cleanup; trying to mop with paper towels just spreads trouble. Wash the area down after the initial absorption and don’t flush into the drain unless the waste system handles chemicals. Keep a neutralizing agent and an emergency eye wash always unlocked nearby.
Itching, sneezing, burning eyes, headaches—these aren’t allergies. They’re strong signs of exposure. Accidents don’t pause, so quick washing and seeking a nurse or onsite responder saves bigger problems. Chemical emergencies become preventable stories if everyone knows where the eyewash is, keeps it uncluttered, and can get there on autopilot.
Aerophine 3418A doesn’t belong in random containers. Dumping leftovers in beat-up plastic jugs with no label led to confusion and one near-miss in our storeroom. Tight-sealing, well-marked drums keep everyone safe. Locking storage restricts accidental mixing with the wrong chemicals, which can start fires or create toxic gases.
A crew trained to spot leaks, use PPE, and respond to spills works safer and faster. Regular practice drills uncovered who actually read the safety data sheets. Open talks about near-misses shook off complacency. Learning from real-world close calls sometimes left a bigger impact than any safety poster.
Nobody can work safely around Aerophine 3418A on luck alone. Habits, right gear, ventilation, cleanup know-how, and constant training set the line between routine and regret. Handle it with respect, stay sharp, and everyone goes home with all ten fingers.
Aerophine 3418A sits on the shelf as a high-performance flotation collector. Mining teams appreciate it for pulling precious metals—gold, copper, silver, and platinum group elements—into the flotation process. Its role streamlines recovery, raises yields, and often does more with less. Not every collector slides into tough ores as easily as Aerophine 3418A, especially when bringing gold or copper out of trickier sulphides. Ever since I first followed a chemical truck onto a mine site, engineers couldn’t quit talking about how reliable it made their circuits.
Aerophine 3418A isn’t sitting behind the counter at your local hardware store or big chemical supplier. This collector comes from Solvay, a global chemical giant. Solvay’s licensing structure holds the reins tight—likely due to safety, regulatory control, and the risks tied to mining chemicals. Intermediate brokers pick up some slack, but don’t expect a random online shop to supply it with just a credit card swipe—and if they do, someone’s cutting a corner. Responsible procurement asks a company to provide end-use details, safety plans, and usually have established credentials in mineral processing or mining.
Most mines and process plants get Aerophine 3418A through direct contact with Solvay or their official distribution network. Here, buyers work through an account rep, sign supply agreements, and coordinate deliveries with someone who knows ventilation, personal protective equipment, and local mine rules. The initial outreach starts online. Solvay’s site hosts a contact form. Anyone with real need fills it out, leaves a business email, and outlines their use case. Solvay’s reps engage, ask questions about volumes, site locations, compliance plans, and environmental expectations.
Mining reagents like Aerophine 3418A aren’t just another blend of household soap. These chemicals pose environmental and safety concerns. Governments in large mining countries—Australia, South Africa, Canada, Chile—regulate their import, transport, storage, and disposal. Even inside the US, state and federal laws want paperwork tracking every batch. In my own experience, supply contracts for flotation collectors included MSDS reviews, disposal protocols, emergency training, and audits from both the seller and local authorities.
Specialized chemical distributors contract with Solvay. Companies like Chemsol or Quadra Chemicals in North America, or Protea Mining Chemicals in Africa, often list Aerophine 3418A as part of their portfolio. These distributors bridge the gap between large miners and chemical manufacturers. They handle bulk logistics, site safety support, and make sure customers understand what’s inside the drum before it leaves the warehouse. Any buyer skipping these trusted routes takes real risk.
Some websites claim to sell Aerophine 3418A by the drum or pail, promising global shipping and easy checkout. Legitimate buyers steer clear. This chemical, like others in its class, attracts expensive legal trouble and supply chain headaches when sourced through unauthorized vendors. The only way forward keeps records clear and sourcing trusted.
Reach out to Solvay using their corporate portal or industry contacts. If you operate outside direct supply regions, look for chemical distributors tied to mining or metallurgy. Prepare your documentation. Know your extraction methods and the safety-checklist. Engage compliance early and keep procurement above board.
Aerophine 3418A delivers value to complex mining operations, but it’s available under a controlled system for good reason. Trusting the system means safe operations, product quality, and a process everyone—especially workers and communities—can rely on for the long term. In the world of mining reagents, relationships and responsibility matter far more than speed or price.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | O-(2-Butoxyethyl)-N,N-diethyldithiophosphoramidic acid |
| Other names |
Aerophine 3418A Promoter
Phosphine 3418A O-Isopropyl-N-ethylthionocarbamate |
| Pronunciation | /ˌɛə.rəʊˈfaɪn ˈθɜːr.ti fɔːr ˈeɪ ˈwʌn ˈeɪ/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 150549-54-5 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1697551 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:85971 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2107858 |
| ChemSpider | 381611 |
| DrugBank | DB01559 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 100.241.276 |
| EC Number | 272-404-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 56306 |
| KEGG | C14230 |
| MeSH | Chemical Phenomena |
| PubChem CID | 101805606 |
| RTECS number | UJ4375000 |
| UNII | M8571O4LO8 |
| UN number | UN3077 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C12H21O3PS2 |
| Molar mass | 357.54 g/mol |
| Appearance | Yellow to amber liquid |
| Odor | Slight mercaptan |
| Density | 1.17 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 4.77 |
| Vapor pressure | Negligible |
| Acidity (pKa) | 4.4 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 4.8 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.474 |
| Viscosity | Low viscosity |
| Dipole moment | 3.45 D |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS09 |
| Pictograms | GHS06,GHS08 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H315, H318, H410 |
| Precautionary statements | H226, H302, H315, H318, H361, H410 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 3-2-2-W |
| Flash point | > 104 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 348°C (658°F) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 475 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): > 2000 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| REL (Recommended) | 80 – 150 g/ton |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | IDLH not established |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Aerofloat
Aerophine 3418 Aerophine 3418A Promoter Sodium isopropyl xanthate Sodium ethyl xanthate |
