Nitrilotriacetic Acid CAS 139-13-9

What Is NTA?

NTA is a tricarboxylic chelating agent supplied as a free acid. Put it in water and it binds hardness and transition-metal ions into soluble complexes, so calcium and magnesium stop forming scale and iron, copper or lead stop interfering with a bath or a dye. Against EDTA it trades a little binding strength for a much lower price per kilo, faster dissolution and partial biodegradation in aerobic treatment, the right trade for most industrial jobs.

Where NTA Is Used

• Industrial water and boilers. Sequesters calcium and magnesium in cooling loops, boiler feed and RO pretreatment, suppresses carbonate and sulfate scale, and solubilizes ferric oxide red-water deposits; often blended with phosphonate inhibitors.
• Electroplating and metal finishing. Auxiliary complexant in alkaline zinc, acid copper and electroless nickel baths; masks trace iron, copper and lead that cause pitting, improves throwing power and supports cyanide-free formulations.
• Textile wet processing. Used in desizing, scouring, bleaching and dyeing; chelates iron before it can damage fiber or leave yellow spots, and stops hard water from precipitating anionic dyes.
• Industrial and CIP cleaning. Builder in heavy-duty detergents and clean-in-place formulas for food, beverage and pharma plants. It removes scale, prevents soil redeposition and cuts caustic demand.
• Detergents and formulations. A builder in phosphate-reduced laundry and dishwashing powders, replacing phosphates where discharge limits push buyers toward biodegradable options.

Specifications

Storage, Handling and Packaging

• Store unopened in PE-lined packaging at 5-30 °C in a cool, dry warehouse, separated from strong alkalis, hypochlorite oxidizers and moisture; chelating activity retained at least 24 months.
• Wear splash goggles, dust respirator and nitrile gloves during transfer; airborne dust irritates the respiratory tract, eyes and skin.
• Packaging: 25 kg PE-lined kraft bags, 500 kg jumbo bags; custom pack sizes and private labelling on request.
• Dispose of spent solutions per local effluent rules; NTA is partly biodegradable under aerobic treatment. COA, TDS and SDS with every order; samples available; quotes within one working day. Companion water-treatment lines: Hydroxyphosphonoacetic Acid (HPAA) CAS 23783-26-8, Cyanuric Acid CAS 108-80-5 and Aluminum Chlorohydrate (ACH) CAS 12042-91-0.

FAQ

Q: How do I choose between NTA and EDTA?

A: EDTA binds stronger but costs more and degrades slowly; NTA is cheaper and partly biodegradable.

Q: What quality parameters matter most?

A: Residual IDA at 1.0% max and chelating value of 480 mg/g or more on the COA.

Q: Can NTA be used in food-plant CIP cleaners?

A: Low-heavy-metal grades can, with a final rinse; verify local food-contact rules first.

Q: What does the 480 mg/g chelating value mean?

A: Each gram sequesters at least 480 mg CaCO3-equivalent hardness at working pH.

Q: What packaging is supplied?

A: 25 kg PE-lined kraft bags or 500 kg jumbo bags; custom packing on request.