Trioctyl Trimellitate (TOTM) – CAS No. 3319-31-1
Product Overview
Trioctyl Trimellitate (TOTM), chemically known as tris(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate with the formula C₃₃H₅₄O₆ and CAS Number 3319-31-1, is a high-molecular-weight, branched alkyl trimellitate ester serving as a premium plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other polymers. This pale yellow, oily liquid exhibits low volatility, exceptional thermal stability up to 200°C, and excellent electrical insulation properties, making it ideal for demanding applications requiring long-term flexibility and resistance to extraction by oils or solvents. With a purity ≥99%, TOTM provides superior migration resistance and low-temperature pliability, outperforming general-purpose phthalates in high-heat environments while maintaining clarity and non-toxicity. Its high solvency ensures efficient processing, and its compliance with food-contact regulations supports use in sensitive end-products without compromising performance or safety.
Key benefits of Trioctyl Trimellitate include:
- Low Volatility: Minimal weight loss at elevated temperatures, extending service life in wire insulation and automotive components.
- Thermal Endurance: Retains flexibility after prolonged heat aging, suitable for 105°C-rated cables.
- Electrical Insulation: High dielectric strength for non-halogenated wire and cable jacketing.
- Extraction Resistance: Withstands oils, fuels, and solvents, reducing softening in flexible PVC.
- Regulatory Compliance: FDA-approved for food-contact (21 CFR 175.300), with low toxicity and no phthalate concerns.
TOTM is synthesized through esterification of trimellitic anhydride with 2-ethylhexanol, yielding a robust plasticizer that meets ASTM and ISO standards for polymer additives.
| Item | Quality index |
| Appearance | transparent liquid |
| Color (Pt-Co) ≤ | 40(Superior≤30) |
| Acid value, mgKOH/g ≤ | 0.10 |
| Water content, wt% ≤ | 0.05 |
| Heating loss(125℃×3hrs),wt%≤ | 0.1 |
| Density (20℃), g/cm³ | 0.984-0.991 |
| Flash point,℃ ≥ | 245 |
| Volume resistivity(20℃), (Ω.cm)×1011 ≥ | 10 |
| Ester content, wt%≥ | 99.5 |
| 2-Ethyl hexanol, ppm ≤ | 500(Superior≤100) |
| DOP/DEPH, ppm≤ | 100(Superior≤50) |
| DOTP/% ≤ | 0.6 |
Applications-Trioctyl trimellitate
Wire and Cable
- Insulation and Jacketing: Incorporated at 40-60 phr in PVC compounds for low-voltage cables, providing flame retardancy and flexibility at -40°C to 105°C.
- Automotive Wiring: Enhances heat resistance in harnesses and under-hood applications, meeting UL 1581 standards.
Flexible PVC Products
- Automotive Interiors: Plasticizer at 30-50 phr for dashboards and seals, offering UV stability and low fogging.
- Medical Tubing: Used in non-DEHP formulations for blood bags and IV lines, ensuring biocompatibility and extractables compliance.
Other Industrial Uses
- Film and Sheeting: 35-55 phr in agricultural films and tarpaulins for weather resistance and durability.
- Food Packaging: Compliant additive in flexible films for indirect contact, maintaining integrity under thermal stress.
Why Choose Our Trioctyl trimellitate?
Our Trioctyl Trimellitate is distilled to acid value <0.05 mg KOH/g and color <50 APHA, with undetectable free alcohols (<0.1%) for unmatched purity and processing ease. Cable manufacturers achieve 25% better migration resistance and extended flex life in UL-tested compounds. Available in technical and food-grade variants, packaged in 200kg drums, 1000kg IBCs, or bulk tankers, with customizable viscosity and full REACH/FDA certifications for global compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)-Trioctyl trimellitate(TOTM)
What is Trioctyl Trimellitate (TOTM)?
Trioctyl Trimellitate (TOTM) is a trimellitate plasticizer with formula C₃₃H₅₄O₆ and CAS 3319-31-1, designed for PVC to impart low volatility and high-temperature flexibility. It’s a pale yellow liquid used in cables, films, and medical applications.
How is Trioctyl trimellitate(TOTM) used in PVC wire insulation?
Blend at 45-55 phr with PVC resin and stabilizers during compounding; it ensures low smoke generation and maintains elongation >200% after 7-day heat aging at 100°C.
Is TOTM safe for food-contact materials?
Yes, TOTM is FDA-approved under 21 CFR 178.3740 for repeated-use articles, with migration limits <0.5 mg/in², making it suitable for packaging without health risks.
What is the shelf life of TOTM?
Stored in sealed containers below 40°C away from oxidizers, TOTM remains stable for 24-36 months, with no significant ester hydrolysis or viscosity change.
Can TOTM replace DOP in high-heat applications?
TOTM excels over DOP with 50% lower volatility and better extraction resistance; it’s ideal for 90°C+ uses but requires higher gelation temperatures—test in pilot extrusions.
Does TOTM affect PVC processing temperatures?
TOTM’s high solvency allows processing at 160-180°C, reducing fusion time by 10-15% compared to linear phthalates while preserving clarity.
What packaging options are available for TOTM?
We offer 220kg steel drums, 1000kg HDPE IBCs, and 20MT isotanks, all nitrogen-flushed for stability and compliant with UN 3082 for international shipment.
For compounding recipes, compliance data, or volume quotes, our plasticizer experts provide personalized support.
Contact Us
Elevate your PVC formulations with superior TOTM—Contact Us for samples, pricing, or technical consultations. We respond within 24 hours.
