Tall oil fatty acid

Tall oil fatty acid (CAS 61790-12-3) is a pine-derived mixture of oleic and linoleic acids recovered as a co-product of kraft pulp processing.

Where is Tall oil fatty acid used?

• Coatings and lubricants: reactive intermediate and surface-active agent
• Alkyd resins: reacts with polyols and polyacids to build the fatty acid backbone, determining film flexibility and drying performance in architectural and industrial coatings
• Metalworking fluids: corrosion inhibitor and lubricity additive in neat and water-miscible cutting fluid systems
• Rubber and tires: processing aid and dispersant for carbon black and other fillers, ensuring uniform distribution during high-heat vulcanization
• Leather and textiles: softening and surface-conditioning agent that improves handle and substrate wettability
• It modifies surface tension in finishing treatments.

Good to know: Refined distilled grades offer significantly lower rosin content than crude or semi-distilled material. Buyers should specify acid value and rosin content tolerances when sourcing for specific formulations.

Commercial specifications

• Viscosity and acid value vary by distillation cut and purity grade
• Commercial grades differentiated by rosin acid content and iodine value