High Purity Trimellitic Anhydride Tma CAS 552-30-7 for Plasticizer and Resin Applications

Product Description

Appearance	white flakes	white flakes
Content%	97.9	96.5min
Melting pointºC	165.5	164min
Color PT-CO	120	130max
Acid number mg KOH/g	878	973min

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Detailed product description of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and its main application industries:
Product Description: Trimellitic Anhydride (TMA)
1. Product Overview
Chemical Name: 1,2,4-Benzene Tricarboxylic Anhydride; Parabenzene Tricarboxylic Anhydride
Molecular Formula:C9H4O5
Molecular Weight: 192.13 g/mol
CAS Number: 552-30-7
Appearance: White to slightly yellow flaky, needle-like crystals or powder, with a slight special odor.
Main Source: Industrially, it is mainly produced by liquid-phase air catalytic oxidation of parabenzene (1,2,4-trimethylbenzene). The oxidation product is parabenzene acid, and then dehydrated cyclization yields parabenzene tricarboxylic anhydride.
Chemical Properties:
It has typical reactivity of an acid anhydride and carboxylic acid group (one cyclic acid anhydride and one free carboxyl group).
Acid Anhydride Group: Easily reacts with water to hydrolyze and form parabenzene acid, reacts with alcohols to form monoesters (retaining the carboxyl group), and reacts with amines to form amides/arylamines.
Carboxylic Acid Group: Can undergo esterification, salification, etc. reactions.
High Temperature Reactivity: Under heating conditions, the free carboxyl group can react with the acid anhydride group of another molecule to form high molecular chains (such as polyesters, polyamide imides, and the precursors of polyimides).
It is a key monomer for synthesizing various high-performance chemicals.
2. Key Physical and Chemical Properties
Melting point: Approximately 164 - 168 °C (dehydration cyclization temperature)
Boiling point: Approximately 240 - 245 °C (sublimes at 14 mmHg, readily decomposes at normal pressure)
Density: Approximately 1.54 g/cm³ (solid)
Flash point: Approximately 227 °C (open cup) - Flammable solid. Solubility:
It dissolves in organic solvents butanone, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and hot xylene.
It is slightly soluble in water, but slowly hydrolyzes into hot water.
Hygroscopicity: It is prone to absorbing moisture, and after absorbing water, it hydrolyzes to form (losing reactivity), so it must be strictly sealed and stored in a moisture-proof environment.
3. Main Specifications (Typical Industrial Grade)
Purity: ≥ 99.0% or ≥ 99.5%
Appearance: White to slightly yellow crystalline or powder.
Melting Point: 164 - 168 °C
Acid Value: ≥ 865 mg KOH/g (Theoretical Value: 875)
Color (APHA): ≤ 50 or lower (Melted state or solution).
Free Acid (based on phthalic acid): ≤ 0.5%
Moisture: ≤ 0.1%
Ash Content: ≤ 0.01%
4. Safety and Storage
Hazards:
Health hazards:
Stinginess: Dust and vapors have strong irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, and can cause burns, redness, swelling and pain. Inhalation of high concentrations of dust can cause coughing, sore throat, breathing difficulties, and even chemical pneumonia or pulmonary edema.
Allergenicity: It is a known strong allergen (respiratory allergen and skin allergen). Repeated exposure may lead to asthma and allergic dermatitis.
Hydrolysis products: The hydrolysis products of contact with moisture also have irritancy.
Flammability: Flammable solid. Contact with fire, high heat can ignite. Burning produces irritating smoke.
Environmental hazards: Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects on the aquatic environment.
Storage requirements:
Key point: Strictly prevent moisture! Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse. Sealed packaging, avoid contact with air (moisture).
Keep away from fire sources, heat sources.
Store separately from strong oxidants, strong bases, food and feed.
Keep the container sealed to prevent moisture absorption, agglomeration and loss of activity.
Personal protection during operation:
Top priority: Prevent inhalation and contact of dust!
Operators must wear dust masks (N95 or higher grade), chemical safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (such as nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber), and anti-static work clothes.
Provide adequate local exhaust and general ventilation to maintain air circulation in the workplace.
Avoid generating dust. Thoroughly clean exposed skin after operation.
No smoking, eating or drinking in the workplace.
5. Packaging and Transportation
Packaging: Usually, multi-layer moisture-proof packaging is adopted: lined with polyethylene bags, and wrapped with paper-plastic composite bags, kraft paper bags or cardboard barrels. The net weight is usually 25 kg. Tonne bags or special packaging can also be used according to customer requirements.

Main application industries

The core value of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) lies in the unique reactivity brought about by its molecular structure (one anhydride group + one carboxyl group), making it a key raw material for the synthesis of high-performance polymers and environmentally friendly plasticizers:
Plasticizer industry - Phthalate esters (such as TOTM, TINTM):
This is the largest and most important application area for TMA (accounting for approximately 70% of total consumption). TMA reacts with long-chain alcohols (such as isooctanol, isononyl alcohol, isodecyl alcohol) to form phthalic triesters.
Product characteristics and advantages:
Excellent high-temperature resistance: Extremely low volatility, with superior heat aging resistance compared to phthalate ester-based plasticizers (such as DOP/DEHP).
Excellent durability: Good resistance to extraction and migration, long service life.
Good low-temperature flexibility: Maintains good elasticity at low temperatures.
Good electrical insulation.
Environmental trend: As a major alternative to traditional phthalate ester-based plasticizers (subject to environmental regulations) in high-temperature application fields.
Main downstream applications:
High-temperature resistant wire and cable materials: PVC, CPE, etc. insulation layers and sheaths (automotive wiring, aviation wiring, locomotive wiring, motor lead wires, heat-resistant electrical cables, etc.).
Automobile interior parts: Dashboard, door panels, seals, etc. components that need high-temperature aging resistance.
Artificial leather: High-end heat-resistant artificial leather.
Special films and sheets.
2. Powder Coatings and Roll-Coated Coatings Industry:
TMA is used to synthesize TGIC-Free carboxyl polyester resins.
Product Characteristics and Advantages:
Replacement of TGIC: It is used to replace the toxic curing agent trimellitic anhydride triisocyanurate (TGIC), producing more environmentally friendly polyester powder coatings.
Excellent Performance: The obtained powder coatings have good leveling properties, mechanical properties (hardness, toughness), weather resistance, chemical resistance and decorative properties.
Main Applications: Widely used in decoration and protective coatings for building materials (aluminum profiles), household appliances (refrigerators, washing machine panels), furniture, hardware, automotive wheels, agricultural machinery, etc.
3. Insulation Materials Industry:
TMA is an important monomer or intermediate for synthesizing polyimide anhydride (PAI) and polyimide (PI).
Product Characteristics and Advantages:
PAI: Exhibits extremely outstanding high-temperature resistance (continuous operating temperature > 220°C), mechanical strength, wear resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and electrical insulation. It is one of the most high-temperature-resistant thermoplastic materials that can be melt-molded.
PI: The pinnacle of high-performance polymers, with extreme high-temperature resistance (> 300°C), high strength and modulus, excellent dielectric properties, radiation resistance, and solvent resistance.
Main Application Downstream:
H-level and C-level motor and electrical appliance insulation: enamel-covered wires (high-temperature electromagnetic wires), impregnating varnishes, laminated boards, films (such as polyimide films - gold films).
Aerospace: High-temperature resistant parts, composite material matrix.
Electronics and Electrical Appliances: Chip carrier tapes, flexible printed circuit boards (FPC), connectors, sockets.
Industrial Fields: Wear-resistant components, bearings, seals, high-temperature filter materials.
4. Adhesive and Sealant Industry:
Used as modifiers or curing agents to enhance the heat resistance, toughness and bonding strength of epoxy resins and other adhesives.
Used to produce high-performance polyester and polyurethane hot melt adhesives.
5. Water Treatment Industry:
TMA can be used to synthesize the polyamide functional layer monomers for certain reverse osmosis membranes (RO) and nanofiltration membranes (NF), which helps to increase the desalination rate and water flux of the membranes.
6. Others:
Dye and pigment intermediates: Synthesize certain advanced organic pigments.
Surfactants: Synthesize surfactants with special structures.
Epoxy resin curing agents: Enhance the heat resistance and mechanical properties of the cured product.
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Summary of Jiangsu Dengfeng Chemical Co., Ltd.
Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) is a highly reactive aromatic triacid anhydride that contains one acid anhydride group and one carboxylic acid group. Its core applications lie in two major fields:
1. Synthesis of high-temperature resistant plasticizers (trimellitic esters): Mainly used in high-temperature resistant wires and cables, automotive interiors, etc., it is an important environmentally friendly alternative to traditional phthalic esters.
2. Synthesis of high-performance polymer resins:
TGIC-Free polyester resins: Used in environmentally friendly powder coatings and roll coatings.
Polyimide (PAI) and polyimide (PI): Used in fields such as motors and electrical appliances with extreme temperatures, high insulation requirements, aerospace, and electronics industries.
The production and use of TMA require special attention to its strong irritancy, strong allergenicity, and the tendency to absorb moisture and undergo hydrolysis. Strict moisture-proof sealing storage, comprehensive ventilation and dust removal measures, and complete personal protective equipment (PPE) are the key to safe operation. It is an indispensable high-value monomer in the field of fine chemicals, driving the development of high-temperature-resistant materials, environmentally friendly materials, and cutting-edge electronic materials.
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If you require a more detailed technical specification sheet or safety data sheet (SDS/MSDS), please contact Jiangsu Dengfeng Chemical Co., Ltd.