Cetrimonium Chloride CAS 112-02-7

Cetrimonium Chloride – Cationic Surfactant for Hair and Skin Care

Basic Information

• CAS Number: 112-02-7

• Chemical Name: Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC)

• Molecular 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): Typically 5.0–7.0

Overview
Cetrimonium chloride is a well-established cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant widely used in personal care formulations. Its positive charge provides excellent affinity for negatively charged surfaces such as hair and skin, making it an effective conditioning agent, antistatic agent, and antimicrobial preservative. It is commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and skin care products.

Key Properties

• Conditioning: Adsorbs to hair fibers, forming a lubricating film that reduces friction, improves wet and dry combability, and adds softness and shine.

• Antistatic: Neutralizes electrostatic charges, reducing flyaway and making hair more manageable.

• Antimicrobial: Exhibits bactericidal activity against Gram‑positive and Gram‑negative bacteria, contributing to product preservation and skin disinfection.

• Stability: Remains effective across a wide pH range (4–10) and tolerates moderate temperatures.

• Compatibility: Works well with nonionic, amphoteric, and other cationic surfactants; incompatible with anionic surfactants (may precipitate).

Applications

• Hair care: Conditioners, leave‑in treatments, shampoos, and hair masks to improve texture, detangling, and shine.

• Skin care: Creams, lotions, and cleansers where mild conditioning and antimicrobial protection are desired.

• Antistatic agents: Used in fabric softeners and antistatic sprays.

• Disinfectants: Incorporated into household and institutional disinfectant solutions for its biocidal properties.

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 based on specific formulation requirements.

Safety and Handling

• May cause mild skin and eye irritation at high concentrations; use appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, safety goggles) when handling.

• Avoid contact with anionic surfactants to prevent precipitation.

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

• Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption.

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 activity to ensure consistent quality.