Phthalic Anhydride

Phthalic Anhydride

Premium-grade Phthalic Anhydride (PA), available in high-purity molten and white flake forms. Engineered as a fundamental chemical intermediate for manufacturing orthophthalate plasticizers, unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), and high-performance alkyd coatings.

  • Chemical Formula: C₈H₄O₃

  • Purity (GC): ≥ 99.8%

  • Primary Function: Core chemical intermediate, resin structural monomer, and esterification agent

  • Key Properties: Exceptionally low color metrics, minimal maleic anhydride impurities, and precise crystallization behavior

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

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Phthalic Anhydride (PA) is a highly pure cyclic anhydride of phthalic acid produced through the controlled catalytic vapor-phase oxidation of ortho-xylene. Serving as a crucial building block across the commercial polymer and polymer-additives industries, this chemical intermediate offers high reactivity, exceptional crystallization purity, and thermal consistency. It enables the clean synthesis of high-performance plastics, coating resins, and key chemical additives.

Primary Industrial Applications

  • Phthalate Plasticizers: The primary raw material for synthesizing flexible plasticizers like DINP, DIDP, and DOTP, which impart necessary elasticity, low-temperature flexibility, and durability to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds.

  • Unsoluble Polyester Resins (UPR): Serves as a core structural monomer in the formulation of fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP), marine hulls, automotive body panels, and gel coats requiring high mechanical rigidity.

  • Alkyd Coating Resins: Highly utilized in the cooking phase of alkyd varnishes and industrial primers, reacting with polyols and fatty acids to deliver excellent exterior gloss, hard film drying, and superior substrate cross-linking.

  • Dyes & Pigments Intermediate: Acts as a chemical precursor for manufacturing quinophthalone yellow pigments, phthalocyanine blues, and fluorescent dyes.

Performance Advantages

  • Extreme Purity Profile: Ultra-low levels of maleic anhydride and phthalic acid impurities ensure consistent reaction rates and prevent undesired gelation during high-temperature esterification processes.

  • Excellent Color Fastness: Superior Hazen color control parameters guarantee that synthesized clear alkyd resins and plasticizers retain excellent water-white clarity without initial yellowing.

  • Optimized Handling Forms: Flaked grades are specifically treated to minimize dust creation, enhancing operator safety and flow dynamics during industrial charging.

Technical Specifications

Property / Parameter Standard Flake Specification Molten Specification
Appearance White crystalline flakes Clear, colorless liquid
Purity (%) ≥ 99.8 ≥ 99.8
Solidification Point (°C) Min. 131.0°C Min. 131.0°C
Molten Color (APHA / Hazen) ≤ 20 ≤ 15
Phthalic Acid Content (%) ≤ 0.10 ≤ 0.05
Maleic Anhydride Content (%) ≤ 0.05 ≤ 0.05

Storage & Handling

For flake packaging, store inside original, unbroken bags in a cool, dry, and dark industrial warehouse space away from moisture, strong oxidizing agents, and alkaline chemicals. Keep well isolated from water exposure, as moisture will cause hydrolysis into phthalic acid. For molten shipments, store inside dedicated stainless steel storage tanks insulated and maintained under an inert nitrogen blanket between 140°C and 150°C. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) are provided with every order.