Cetrimonium Chloride 1631 (CTAC)

Cetrimonium Chloride 1631 (CTAC) – Cationic Surfactant for Hair Care and Disinfectants

Basic Information

• INCI Name: Cetrimonium Chloride (Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride)

• CAS Number: 112-02-7 (for the pure compound; commercial grades may vary)

• Chemical Formula: C₁₉H₄₂ClN

• Molecular Weight: 320.0 g/mol

• Appearance: White to off-white powder, flakes, or as a concentrated aqueous solution

• Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohols

• pH (1% solution): 5.0–7.0 (typical)

• Stability: High stability across a wide pH range and temperature variations

Overview
Cetrimonium chloride 1631 (CTAC) is a well-established cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant widely used in personal care and household cleaning formulations. Its positive charge provides strong affinity for negatively charged surfaces, including hair, skin, and microbes, making it an effective conditioning, antistatic, and antimicrobial agent.

Applications

• Hair care: Used in shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and leave‑in treatments to improve wet and dry combability, reduce static, and impart softness and shine.

• Antistatic agents: Applied in antistatic sprays and fabric softeners to reduce static cling.

• Disinfectants: Used in household and institutional disinfectant solutions due to its bactericidal activity against Gram‑positive and Gram‑negative bacteria.

• Industrial: Employed in textile processing, paper manufacturing, and as a phase transfer catalyst.

Mechanism of Action

• Conditioning: The cationic head group adsorbs to negatively charged hair fibers, forming a lubricating film that reduces friction and improves manageability.

• Antimicrobial: Disrupts microbial cell membranes, leading to cell lysis and death.

• Antistatic: Neutralizes electrostatic charges on surfaces, reducing dust attraction and flyaway.

Key Benefits

• Excellent conditioning and detangling properties.

• Effective bactericidal activity at low concentrations.

• Compatible with nonionic, amphoteric, and cationic surfactants (avoid anionic surfactants due to precipitation).

• Stable over a broad pH and temperature range, making it suitable for diverse formulations.

• Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions.

Recommended Use
Typical usage levels: 0.5–3.0% in rinse‑off hair care products; 0.1–1.0% in leave‑on formulations; 0.05–0.5% in disinfectant solutions. Optimize through formulation testing.

Handling and Storage

• Store in a cool, dry, well‑ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and strong oxidizers.

• Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination.

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing) when handling.

• Avoid skin and eye contact; rinse thoroughly with water if contact occurs.

Packaging
Available in 25 kg bags, 50 kg drums, 200 kg drums (for liquid grades), and custom packaging upon request.

Quality Assurance
Each batch is tested for active content, pH, and antimicrobial efficacy to ensure consistent quality.