Why It Matters
Detergent, industrial-cleaner and water-treatment formulators source chelants to sequester hardness and metal ions. The chelant ladder spans EDTA, citrate, phosphonate and gluconate chemistries.
Solution Approach
Detergent, industrial-cleaner and water-treatment formulators source chelants to sequester hardness and metal ions. The chelant ladder spans EDTA, citrate, phosphonate and gluconate chemistries. RawSource supplies the base chemicals that go into these programs. We can help with product selection, grade matching, and sourcing from multiple origins for supply security.
Typical Formulation Workflow
1
Application & Soil Assessment
Define the cleaning task, surfaces, soils, and water hardness, plus the safety and regulatory profile for the use environment.
2
Surfactant & Builder Selection
Match surfactants, builders, solvents, chelants, acids or alkalis, and preservatives to the soil, surface compatibility, and label claims.
3
Formulation & Use-Dilution Trial
Optimize the actives ratio and use dilution, checking foam, clarity, stability, and performance at the in-use concentration.
4
Performance & Stability Validation
Confirm cleaning efficacy, storage and freeze-thaw stability, and packaging compatibility before scale-up.
Recommended Chemistries (5)
Tetrasodium EDTA (EDTA Na4)
CAS 64-02-8
Amines & Amides
Broad-spectrum chelant binding Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu across wide pH range
Strong hexadentate chelant that sequesters Ca/Mg/Fe/Cu across pH to stop hardness deposits and stabilize bleach/surfactant systems
Melting Point: 300 °C (decomposes) Density: 6.9 lb/gal /Apparent density/ Solubility: Slightly soluble in ethanol
Full Details
Disodium EDTA (Food Grade)
CAS 139-33-3
Specialty Additives
Standard chelant for liquid cleaners and personal care
Lower-pH EDTA salt that chelates metal ions to preserve product stability and prevent staining and scale
Physical Description: White odorless solid; White odorless crystals Appearance: White crystalline powder Melting Point: MP: 242 °C /EDTA disodium dihydrate/
Full Details
DTPA (Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid)
CAS 67-43-6
Amines & Amides
Chelation / Sequestration
Higher-stability chelant for iron/manganese control in bleach and high-pH cleaners where EDTA is insufficient
Physical Description: White to off-white solid Boiling Point: Decomposes Melting Point: 219-220 ºC
Full Details
Sodium Gluconate (Food Grade)
CAS 527-07-1
Esters
Alkaline-stable chelant essential for CIP at pH > 10
Biodegradable sequestrant effective for iron and scale control in highly alkaline CIP and bottle-wash cleaners
Melting Point: 170-175 °C Boiling Point: No boiling point at normal pressure; decomposes… Density: 1.8 g/cm3
Full Details
Hydroxyethylidene Diphosphonic Acid (HEDP)
CAS 2809-21-4
Phosphate Esters & Derivatives
Phosphonate with combined chelation and scale inhibition
Phosphonate that sequesters hardness ions and inhibits scale and corrosion, stable to chlorine and high temperature
Melting Point: 198-199 Boiling Point: 578.8 Solubility: 1.15e+01 g/L
Full Details