Chemical Name: Triethylenetetramine
Common Names: TETA, Trien
CAS Number: 112-24-3
Molecular Formula: C6H18N4
Recommended Use: Used as curing agent for epoxy resins, chelating agent, corrosion inhibitor, surfactant intermediate, textile softener, and rubber accelerator.
Supplier Information: Manufacturer details, address, emergency phone number, and e-mail contact
Emergency Overview: Pale yellow to amber liquid, strong ammonia-like odor, corrosive to skin and eyes, harmful if inhaled or swallowed
GHS Classification: Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Category 1B; Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation: Category 1; Acute Toxicity (Oral): Category 4; Acute Toxicity (Inhalation): Category 4
Label Elements: Signal word: Danger; Hazard statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; Harmful if swallowed or inhaled; May cause respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Corrosive, Exclamation Mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors or mist; Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, and eye/face protection; Wash thoroughly after handling; Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using this product
Most Important Hazards: Rapid skin absorption, tissue destruction of mucous membranes, severe irritation to nose, throat, and lungs, strong corrosiveness, environmental hazard to aquatic organisms
Chemical Identity: Triethylenetetramine
Synonyms: TETA, Triamine 2,2,4,4
EC Number: 203-950-6
Purity: Typically 97%–100%
Impurities: Minor linear and cyclic polyamines (total less than 3%)
Hazard Components: Triethylenetetramine comprises the main component with impurities contributing to similar hazard characteristics
General Advice: Remove from exposure immediately. Provide medical attention as soon as possible.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Get immediate medical attention if symptoms like coughing, breathing difficulties, or irritation appear.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with large amounts of water for at least fifteen minutes. Do not scrub skin. Seek medical attention immediately if irritation or burns develop.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do so. Continue rinsing and obtain medical attention without delay.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Never induce vomiting. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Immediate medical intervention is necessary.
Indications for Emergency Medical Attention: Chemical burns, sustained respiratory or eye irritation, or ingestion always merit professional care.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use a direct water stream, as this may spread the chemical
Hazards from Combustion: Burning produces irritating, corrosive, and toxic gases including ammonia, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus and full chemical protective clothing
Advice for Firefighters: Isolate area, cool exposed containers with water spray, avoid breathing fumes, prevent run-off from entering water sources and sewers
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, use NIOSH-approved respirator, chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and impervious protective clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spills or runoff from entering drains, surface water, or soil. Notify authorities in case of significant environmental release.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb liquid with sand, earth, or suitable inert absorbent. Collect residue in non-leaking, tightly closed containers for disposal. Wash spill site with soap and water after material pick-up. Dispose of as hazardous waste according to local regulations.
Additional Advice: Adequate ventilation in storage and spill areas reduces risks of exposure significantly.
Safe Handling: Avoid direct physical contact and inhalation of vapors or mists. Wear appropriate PPE including chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and impervious clothing. Use only with adequate ventilation.
Safe Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area away from acids, oxidizers, and chlorinated compounds. Store in corrosion-resistant containers with secondary containment.
Storage Temperature: Maintain below 40°C when possible.
Incompatible Materials: Avoid acids, acid chlorides, copper alloys, strong oxidizers, and carbon dioxide.
Other Storage Considerations: Clearly label containers, keep separate from food and animal feed.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established OSHA or ACGIH limits, but follow good industrial hygiene practices.
Engineering Controls: Work under fume hood or local exhaust ventilation. Emergency eyewash and safety shower present in work area.
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), full goggles, face shield, long-sleeved chemical-resistant clothing
Respiratory Protection: Respirator approved for organic vapors and amines if ventilation insufficient.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing before entering eating areas, avoid contact with eyes and skin
Physical State: Liquid
Color: Pale yellow to amber
Odor: Ammonia-like, pungent
Boiling Point: 277°C (approx.)
Melting Point: -40°C
Density: 0.98 g/cm³ at 20°C
Vapor Pressure: Low, about 0.09 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Completely miscible in water
Flash Point: 143°C (closed cup)
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 325°C
pH: Strongly basic, typically 12–13 for 10% solution
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -1.4 (water soluble)
Evaporation Rate: Negligible at 20°C
Viscosity: 24 mPa.s at 25°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: Strong base, reacts vigorously with acids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, strong oxidizers, and carbon dioxide
Conditions to Avoid: High heat, open flames, exposure to air or moisture for extended periods
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, copper alloys, oxidizers, carbon dioxide
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Ammonia, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide released on burning or decomposition
Polymerization: Dangerous polymerization does not occur under normal conditions
Special Precautions: Contact with acids produces heat and hazardous vapors; handle carefully.
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): approximately 2500 mg/kg; LD50 (dermal, rabbit): approximately 805 mg/kg
Skin Contact: Rapid and severe corrosive effects, possible chemical burns, chronic dermatitis from prolonged exposure
Eye Contact: Causes severe eye irritation, possible irreversible eye damage, or blindness
Inhalation: Harmful if inhaled, possible irritation of respiratory tract with coughing, choking, or chest tightness
Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed, causes burns to mouth, throat, and stomach
Chronic Effects: Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause skin sensitization, allergic reactions, asthmatic symptoms
Other Information: No evidence of carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity in available data, but workplace controls still reduce risk
Ecotoxicity: Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms; EC50 (Daphnia magna, 48 hr): 31.1 mg/L; LC50 (fish, 96 hr): 252 mg/L (Leuciscus idus)
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in soil and water under aerobic conditions
Bioaccumulative Potential: Log Kow low; bioaccumulation not expected in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Very mobile in water and soil, risk to aquatic environments especially from direct release
Other Effects: Toxic effects possible for algae, daphnia, and some freshwater fish species; nitrification in aquatic systems may increase nutrient loading and alter ecological balance
Product Disposal: Handle as hazardous waste in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations. Incineration in an approved chemical incinerator with afterburner and scrubber remains preferred for bulk disposal. Avoid release to the environment by keeping waste containers tightly closed.
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers retain hazardous residue, clean extensively before reuse or disposal. Dispose of packaging in an authorized landfill or incinerator.
Sewage Disposal: Avoid disposal into sewage systems; treat and neutralize thoroughly before safe discharge following effluent guidelines.
Other Advice: Work with the environmental management department to verify best practice and compliance.
UN Number: 2259
UN Proper Shipping Name: Triethylenetetramine
Transport Hazard Class(es): 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Corrosive 8
Special Precautions for User: Secure containers, provide ventilation, segregate from acids and oxidizers, avoid contact with wet surfaces
Transport in Bulk: Follow MARPOL, IBC Code guidelines
Additional Information: Emergency response guide number 153, spillage or leaks require emergency personnel and containment
TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act): Listed
EINECS/ELINCS (Europe): Listed, EC No. 203-950-6
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed
REACH Registration No.: 01-2119487919-13-XXXX
OSHA Status: Hazardous Chemical
SARA Title III Sections 311/312: Acute Health Hazard, Chronic Health Hazard
SARA Title III Section 313: Not listed
RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act): Not listed as hazardous waste, but local regulations may apply
Labeling Requirements: GHS-compliant hazard statements, pictograms, and handling instructions on product label
