Potassium oleate

Potassium oleate (CAS 143-18-0), also sold under the trade names Trenamine D-200 and Trenamine D-201, is the potassium salt of oleic acid functioning as a surfactant, emulsifier, and soap base.

Where is Potassium oleate used?

• Metalworking and industrial lubrication: emulsifier
• Water-based cutting fluids and rust-preventive formulations: stabilizes oil-in-water systems
• Personal care: lather and emulsification in liquid soaps, shaving preparations, cleansing creams
• Textile and leather processing: scouring and softening agent that removes oils and prepares fiber surfaces for dyeing or finishing
• Food-grade systems: emulsifier and pH buffer
• It acts as a primary emulsifying agent in chemical manufacturing.
• Used as an emulsifying or solubilizing agent in aerosol products.
• Used in paper as a dispersant in surface coating and dye dispersion.
• Can enhance the skin penetration capabilities of other components in a formulation.
• Acts as a potassium catalyst, a terpolymer catalyst for rigid polyurethane polyisocyanurate, widely used in polyurethane insulating foil PIR foam systems.

Good to know: Technical grade is the most common supply form; food-grade material meeting FCC specifications is available.

Formulation notes

• An alternative to other surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).

Typical specification

• Industrial grades often contain 7 to 12% saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid, stearic acid) and a small amount of other unsaturated fatty acids.
• pH of a 1% solution is 9.5 to 11.4.
• Dry matter content in aqueous solution is 25–28%.
• Assay is at least 98.0%.

Regulatory status

• Causes serious eye irritation (H319).
• Listed in the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory (formerly EAFUS).

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored in a cool, dry place at ambient temperature, away from strong oxidizers and moisture.
• Available in packaging formats from research quantities to bulk, including drums, IBCs, sacks or one-off bulk supply.

Frequently asked questions about Potassium oleate

What functions does potassium oleate perform in cleaning and impurity removal?

It helps effectively remove impurities and also controls foam formation.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.