Octadecyltrimethylammonium iodide

Octadecyltrimethylammonium iodide (CAS 4292-25-5) is a quaternary ammonium salt used industrially as a cationic surfactant. It modifies surface charge and controls rheology. This chemical enables stable emulsification across a range of formulation and process applications. In textile and leather processing, it conditions fiber surfaces and improves dye uptake by altering substrate charge.

Water treatment operations use it to disperse suspended solids and modify the wetting behavior of treatment media. It is an essential component for managing complex industrial fluid systems. Personal care formulators incorporate it into conditioning systems where controlled viscosity and emulsion stability are required. It provides reliable performance in diverse cosmetic and hygiene products.

In paper manufacturing, it functions as a surface-active agent to improve sheet formation and coating adhesion. This helps maintain high quality and consistency during large-scale production runs. Octadecyltrimethylammonium iodide is typically supplied as a solid powder or crystalline material. Technical grade is the standard commercial offering for industrial surface modification.

This grade is suitable for dispersion and process chemistry applications. Purity specifications vary by supplier, with high-purity grades available for research and specialty formulation use.