Maleic Anhydride

Maleic Anhydride

Premium-grade Maleic Anhydride (MA), available in high-purity white briquette, pellet, and molten forms. Engineered as a highly reactive chemical intermediate for manufacturing unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), alkyd coating modifiers, agricultural chemicals, and lubricating oil additives.

  • Chemical Formula: C₄H₂O₃

  • Purity (GC): ≥ 99.5%

  • Primary Function: Reactive dienophile, resin modifier, and co-monomer for polymer cross-linking

  • Key Properties: Exceptional crystalline purity, low iron content, and precise thermal stability

  • Standard Packaging: 25kg multi-wall PE-lined bags / 500kg to 1,000kg bulk super sacks / Insulated molten road tankers

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Maleic Anhydride (MA) is a highly pure cyclic anhydride produced through the selective vapor-phase catalytic oxidation of n-butane. Featuring a unique dual-functionality structure—containing both a reactive carbon-carbon double bond and an anhydride ring—this compound serves as an extremely versatile intermediate. It is heavily relied upon across the polymer, chemical processing, and specialty additives industries to engineer high mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and thermal durability into commercial formulations.

Primary Industrial Applications

  • Unsaturated Polyester Resins (UPR): The largest commercial consumer of MA. It acts as a primary structural building block to insert cross-linking sites into polymer chains, enabling the production of high-strength fiberglass composites, marine components, and simulated stone panels.

  • Alkyd & Coating Resin Modification: Used in small, controlled ratios during alkyd resin synthesis to reduce drying times, enhance film hardness, and dramatically improve chemical and water resistance.

  • Lubricating Oil Additives: Reacts with polyisobutylene to synthesize succinic anhydrides, which form the base for ashless dispersants and corrosion inhibitors used in high-performance automotive engine oils.

  • Copolymers & Compatibilizers: Utilized to manufacture maleated polymers (such as maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene or polyethylene) that function as critical coupling agents for wood-plastic composites and engineering alloys.

Performance Advantages

  • Ultra-Low Impurity Profile: Negligible levels of maleic acid and ash ensure predictable polymer reaction kinetics, preventing premature batch gelation and unwanted dark tinting during high-heat processing.

  • Superior Color Stability: Controlled APHA color parameters ensure that synthesized resins and chemical derivatives maintain high color clarity and clarity without initial discoloration.

  • Safe Handling Geometries: Briquette and pellet variants are specifically compressed to reduce friability and airborne dust creation, enhancing industrial safety during hopper charging.

Technical Specifications

Property / Parameter Standard Briquette / Pellet Value Molten Specification
Appearance White crystalline briquettes/pellets Clear, colorless liquid
Purity (%) ≥ 99.5 ≥ 99.5
Solidification Point (°C) Min. 52.5°C Min. 52.5°C
Molten Color (APHA / Hazen) ≤ 20 ≤ 15
Maleic Acid Content (%) ≤ 0.20 ≤ 0.05
Ash Content (%) ≤ 0.005 ≤ 0.003

Storage & Handling

Maleic Anhydride is highly hygroscopic and violently reactive with moisture, which triggers hydrolysis into maleic acid and heat release. Store solid flake or briquette packaging in original, tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry, and dark industrial warehouse space away from water, humidity, and direct ambient airflow. For molten logistics, transport and store in dedicated, stainless steel tanks insulated and maintained under an inert nitrogen gas blanket between 65°C and 75°C. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) accompany all bulk shipments.