Cationic surfactants

Fabric softeners, hair conditioners, disinfectants and sanitisers, antistatic agents, corrosion inhibitors, asphalt emulsifiers, textile softeners and ore flotation reagents are the main uses. Esterquats replaced older dialkyl quats in fabric softeners because they biodegrade more readily.

Ask for active content, free amine and amine salt, solvent (often isopropanol or water), pH, colour and, for disinfectants, the alkyl chain distribution. Quaternary ammonium compounds used as disinfectants are regulated as biocides in many regions, so the active substance and supplier may need approval for that use. Cationic surfactants are generally not compatible with anionic surfactants in the same formula. They fall under HS subheading 3402.41.