Technical Information Trilon® M types

December 2013
Supersedes issue dated April 2011

08_0806103e-03/ Page 1 of 8
WF-No. 3160

® = Registered trademark of BASF Trilon® M Liquid

Trilon® M Powder
Trilon® M Granules SG
Trilon® M Compactate

Organic chelating agents used to control the concentration of metal ions in

aqueous systems
08_0806103e-03 December 2013 Page 2 of 8 Trilon® M types

Introduction  ASF is one of the world’s largest producer of complexing agents. In a

B ­ ddition to
the Trilon® M types (MGDA, methylglycinediacetic acid), the range also comprises
traditional products such as the Trilon® A types (NTA, nitrilotriacetic acid), Trilon® B
types (EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), Trilon® C types (DTPA, diethylene-
triaminepentaacetic acid) and Trilon® D Liquid (HEDTA, hydroxyethylethylenedia-
minetriacetic acid).

 GDA is a strong complexing agent. BASF does not supply weak complexing agents
M
such as citrates or succinates. The performance of the Trilon® M types is higher,
and the advantage for customers is that they are more cost-effective.

The excellent ecological and toxicological properties of the Trilon® M types have
regularly been confirmed in a wide variety of studies. BASF therefore recommends
the Trilon® M types as replacements for other, less environmentally friendly complexing
agents. So, for example, phosphates contribute to eutrophication in waters. BASF’s
team of experts is always pleased to give advice on adapting formulations.

Properties
Chemical nature The active ingredient contained in the Trilon® M types is the trisodium salt of methyl­
glycinediacetic acid (MGDA-Na3 ). Methylglycinediacetic acid is also referred to as
a-alaninediacetic acid.

Methylglycinediacetic acid, C7H11NO6 , is an aminocarboxylic acid with four functional

groups.

 

  

  

Trilon® M Liquid Aqueous solution of the trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA-Na3 )
CAS-No. 164462-16-2

Trilon® M Powder Trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA-Na3 ) in solid form

CAS-No. 164462-16-2

Trilon® M Granules SG Trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA-Na3 ) in solid form

CAS-No. 164462-16-2

Trilon® M Compactate Trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA-Na3 ) in solid form

CAS-No. 164462-16-2

PRD-Nos.* 30043459 Trilon® M Liquid

30215074 Trilon® M Powder
30513095 Trilon® M Granules SG
30442699 Trilon® M Compactate

* BASF’s commercial product numbers.

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Chemical and physical data

Trilon® M Liquid Powder Granules SG Compactate

Physical form Clear, yellowish Fine, yellowish Coarse, yello- Coarse, yello-
(visual) or yellow liquid powder wish granules wish granules
Molar mass g/mol 271 271 271 271
Concentration (BASF method)*
calculated as trisodium salt (MGDA-Na3 ) % approx. 40 approx. 87 approx. 78 approx. 85
calculated as free acid (MGDA-H3 ) % approx. 30 approx. 66 approx. 59 approx. 64
Density g/cm3 approx. 1.31  –  –  –
(DIN 51757, 20 °C, U-tube densitometer)
pH value approx. 11.0 approx. 11.5 approx. 11.5 approx. 11.5
(DIN 19268, 23 °C, 1% in dist. water)
Bulk density g/l – approx. 690 approx. 775 approx. 750
(DIN ISO 697, 40 mm diam.)
Hazen color max. 350 – – –
(DIN EN 1557)
Volatile NH3 ppm max. 80 max. 80 – –
(BASF method)
Calcium binding capacity mg CaCO3 /g approx. 160 approx. 330 approx. 300 approx. 330
(BASF method, pH 11) t.q.
Water content % approx. 56 approx. 8 approx. 13 approx. 7
(EN 13267)
Viscosity mPa·s approx. 25  –  –  –
(DIN EN 12092, 23 °C)
Freezing point °C -20  –  –  –
(DIN 3013)
Melting point °C  – >300 >300 >300
(DIN EN ISO 3146) (decomposes) (decomposes) (decomposes)
Solubility in water g in 1 liter Miscible in all approx. 900 approx. 950 approx. 900
(BASF method, 25 °C) proportions

The above information is correct at the time of going to press. It does not necessarily
form part of the product s­ pecification.

A detailed product specification is available from your local BASF representative.

* Determined by potentiometric titration against iron(III)chloride.

08_0806103e-03 December 2013 Page 4 of 8 Trilon® M types

Viscosity The relationship between viscosity and temperature is always an important point to
consider when Trilon® M liquid is to be delivered or put into storage. The following
curve shows the viscosity of Trilon® M liquid as a function of temperature (all values
are approximate; mPa·s, Brookfield LVT):

100

90

80

Viscosity [mPa·s]
70
Trilon® M liquid
60

50

40

30

20
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Temperature [°C]

Distribution of particles The following curves show the distribution of particles of Trilon® M solid types (all
values are approximate):

70
Trilon® M Granules SG
60
Trilon® M Compactate
50

40
%

30

20

10

0
400 400 630 1000
Particle size (m)

28
Trilon® M Powder
26
24
22
20
18
16
14
%

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1 2 5 10 20 50 70  100 200  400 500  650
Particle size (m)
08_0806103e-03 December 2013 Page 5 of 8 Trilon® M types

Complex formation The most important property of the Trilon® M types is their ability to form water-
soluble complexes with polyvalent ions (e. g. calcium, magnesium, lead, copper,
zinc, cadmium, mercury, manganese, iron) over a wide pH range from 2 to 13.5.
MGDA usually forms 1 : 1 complexes, i. e. 1 mol of MGDA chelates binds to 1 mol
of metal ions. These complexes remain stable, especially in alkaline media and
even at temperatures of up to 100 °C.

From the law of mass action, the equation for the stability constant K for 1 : 1
complexes can be written as follows.

[MeZ(m-n)-]
K=
[Men+] [Zm-]

where
[MeZ(m-n)-] is the concentration of the chelate that is formed
[Men+] is the concentration of free, positively charged metal ions
[Z ] m-
is the concentration of the ligand anion, in this case MGDA
K is the stability constant for the chelate.

Logarithmic stability constants (log K) for complexes of MGDA and selected metal
ions:
Metal ion log K
Fe 3+
16.5
Cu 2+
13.9
Pb 2+
12.1
Ni 2+
12.0
Co 2+
11.1
Zn 2+
10.9
Cd 2+
10.6
Fe 2+
 8.1
Mn 2+
 8.4
Ca 2+
 7.0
Mg 2+
 5.8
Sr 2+
 5.2
Ba 2+
 4.9

A high value for log K indicates that the chelating agent has a high affinity for that
particular metal ion, and it provides a preliminary indication of whether the chelating
agent is suitable for the specific application.

MGDA-H3 is a tribasic acid that dissociates in three steps. The acid d

­ issociation
constants pKa are as follows:
MGDA-H3 pKa1  1.6
MGDA-H2 -
pKa2  2.5
MGDA-H 2-
pKa3 10.5

In aqueous solutions, MGDA competes for metal ions with other anions such as
hydroxide, sulphate, sulphide, carbonate and oxalate that form sparingly soluble
metal salts. The formation of chelates reduces the concentration of free metal
ions [Men+] to such an extent that the solubility products of many sparingly soluble
metal salts are no longer exceeded. The result is that the salts no longer precipitate
or may even redissolve.

The high stability of these complexes prevents metal ions from participating in typical
chemical reactions. For instance, manganese, iron and copper are no longer able to
catalyse the decomposition of peroxide bleach.
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Conditional stability constants [log Kcond] can be used along with the log K values
to help select the best complexing agent for a specific application. Conditional stability
constants differ from the stability constants referred to above [log K] in that they
also take the acid-base dissociation equilibria – i. e. the influence of the pH on the
formation of complexes – into account.

log Kcond
12

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
pH

Conditional stability constants for selected MGDA chelates.

Chemical stability The Trilon® M types are chemically very stable.

The Trilon® M types have been shown to be very stable compared to other organic
complexing agents such as citric acid, tartaric acid and gluconates, especially at
high temperatures.

Whereas inorganic sequestring agents (e. g. phosphates) may hydrolyse at high

temperatures, Trilon® M types are stable – even when heated to 200 °C under
pressure.

 rilon® M Powder, Granules SG and Trilon® M Compactate begins to decompose

T
at approx. 300 °C, whereas at approx. 140 °C release of bound water is possible.

The Trilon® M types are resistant to strong acids and strong bases. They are gradually
broken down by chromic acid, potassium permanganate and other strong oxidizing
agents. Stability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, percarbonate and perborate
is sufficient for joint application. Nevertheless, we do not recommend combining
Trilon® M types and peroxides in liquid formulations.

 odium hypochlorite and other substances that release chlorine cause the Trilon® M
S
types to decompose. Alkaline earth and heavy metal complexes are broken down.
08_0806103e-03 December 2013 Page 7 of 8 Trilon® M types

Corrosion The Trilon® M types stabilize polyvalent metal ions, which means that they can
increase the rate at which metals dissolve. Nevertheless, with the exception of
aluminium, an oxidizing agent such as air always has to be present for corrosion
to take place. Unalloyed steel is prone to corrosion in media that contain air, but
corrosion can be reduced substantially if the pH is in the alkaline range and can
be eliminated almost completely if oxygen and other oxidizing agents are excluded.
Steel cleaned with the Trilon® M types in the slightly alkaline range, which is the
optimum pH range for the Trilon® M types, is much less prone to corrosion than
if it is cleaned with acids.

 he only type of corrosion that has been observed with the Trilon® M types is uniform
T
corrosion: pitting or stress cracking have not been observed in media with a low
chloride content. One of the advantages of the Trilon® M types is that they can be
supplied with a very low chloride content (<20 mg/kg).

The following information on materials is of a very general nature, because corrosion

depends on many different factors such as exposure to air, galvanic corrosion
caused by the presence of different metals and by the flow patterns of liquids.
The compatibility of Trilon® M types with different materials needs to be tested in
each individual case.

 ustenitic stainless steels such as AISI/SAE 304, 316 Ti and 321 are very effective
A
for vessels used to store and transport Trilon® M Liquid.

The corrosion resistance of ferritic carbon steel such as ASTM A201 Grade B
(European Material No. P265GH) is limited. A rate of corrosion of 0.01 mm/a has
been measured at 50 °C and air exclusion. Crevice corrosion has also occasionally
been observed on welded joints, and so we would not recommend storing the
Trilon® M types in vessels made from unalloyed carbon steel for any prolonged
length of time. The rate of corrosion can be reduced by removing the air from the
system.

 luminium and aluminium alloys such as AL 7075 T6 (European Material No. 3.4365)
A
are not resistant to Trilon® M Liquid, because Trilon® M Liquid is alkaline and aluminium
is quickly corroded by strong bases. Solutions that contain Trilon® M types are
much less corrosive to aluminium if their pH is adjusted to 5 – 7.

Safety We know of no ill effects that could have resulted from using the Trilon® M types for the
purpose for which they are intended and from processing them in accordance
with current practice. According to the experience we have gained over many
years and other information at our disposal, the Trilon® M types do not exert any
harmful effects on health, provided that they are used properly, due attention is
given to the precautions necessary for handling chemicals, and the information
and advice given in our Safety Data Sheets are observed.

Storage a) T
 rilon® M liquid should not be stored at temperatures below 0 °C, because
this can cause it to precipitate. It can be reconstituted by heating it briefly to
40 – 50 °C and stirring.

b) Trilon® M Powder and Trilon® M Compactate are hygroscopic and soluble in

water, with the result that they absorb moisture very quickly. Drums should be
tightly resealed each time material is taken from them.

Materials The following materials can be used for tanks and drums:
a) AISI 321 stainless steel (X6 CrNiTi 1810)
b) AISI 316 Ti stainless steel (X6 CrNiMoTi 17122)

Shelf life Trilon® M Powder has a shelf life of one year, provided it is stored in its original
packaging and kept tightly sealed.

Trilon® M Liquid has a shelf life of two years, provided it is stored in its original packaging
and kept tightly sealed.

Trilon® M Granules SG and Trilon® M Compactate have a shelf life of three years,
provided they are stored in their original packaging and kept tightly sealed.
08_0806103e-03 December 2013 Page 8 of 8 Trilon® M types

Ecology and toxicology The Trilon® M types have an excellent ecological and toxicological profile and there
are no restrictions on their use in many applications. The active ingredient contained
in the Trilon® M types, MGDA, is classified as being readily biodegradable according
to the OECD criteria. In these tests, the test substance is broken down by bacteria
under standardised conditions.

The Trilon® M types are classified as being readily biodegradable.

The products supplied by BASF conform to ecological and toxicological stringent

standards in order to protect the environment.

BASF has submitted the Trilon® M to a thorough programme of tests and possesses
a very extensive collection of data on the Trilon® M.

Labelling Please refer to the latest Safety Data Sheets for detailed, up-to-date information on
classification, labelling and product safety.

Note This document, or any answers or information provided herein by BASF, does
not constitute a legally binding obligation of BASF. While the descriptions, designs,
data and information contained herein are presented in good faith and believed
to be accurate, it is provided for your guidance only. Because many factors may
affect processing or application/use, we recommend that you make tests to
determine the suitability of a product for your particular purpose prior to use. It
does not relieve our customers from the obligation to perform a full inspection of
the products upon delivery or any other obligation. NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE REGARDING PRODUCTS
DESCRIBED OR DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION SET FORTH, OR THAT THE
PRODUCTS, DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION MAY BE USED WITHOUT
INFRINGING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS. IN NO CASE
SHALL THE DESCRIPTIONS, INFORMATION, DATA OR DESIGNS PROVIDED BE
CONSIDERED A PART OF OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

December 2013

BASF - Care Chemicals Division – www.homecare-and-i-and-i.basf.com