Uses :
Triethanolamine, often abbreviated as TEA, is a viscous organic compound that is both a tertiary amine and a triol. A triol is a molecule with three alcohol groups. Triethanolamine is a strong base. Triethanolamine is also abbreviated as TEOA, which can help distinguish it from triethylamine. Approximately 150,000 tons were produced in 1999. It is a colorless compound, although samples may appear yellow due to impurities.
Triethanolamine is produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia, producing ethanolamine and diethanolamine. The ratio of the products can be controlled by changing the stoichiometry of the reactants.