DOW Monoethanolamine (MEA) offers a broad spectrum of application opportunities, primarily in detergents, personal care products, textile finishing and wood treating. Other applications include use as “down hole” in oil well chemicals and in metalworking to prevent corrosion, and as catalysts that promote stability during the reaction process in the manufacture of flexible and rigid urethane foams.
Because MEA combines the properties of amines and alcohols, MEA exhibits the unique capability of undergoing reactions common to both groups. As an amine, MEA is mildly alkaline and react with acids to form salts or soaps. As an alcohol, MEA is hygroscopic and can be esterfied.

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