Triisobutyl Phosphate (TIBP)

What Is Triisobutyl Phosphate (TIBP)?

Triisobutyl Phosphate, commonly abbreviated as TIBP or TiBP, is a branched trialkyl phosphate ester. It is generally supplied as a clear, colorless to pale-yellow liquid with low water solubility and good compatibility with many organic materials.

TIBP is used as an antifoaming agent, solvent, extractant, wetting agent, plasticizer and functional additive in industrial formulations.

TIBP Product Information

Final purity, color, water content, acidity and physical-property limits should be confirmed against AOZUN’s approved specification and lot-specific COA.

How Does TIBP Work?

TIBP combines a polar phosphate group with three branched isobutyl groups. This structure gives it useful solvent compatibility, interfacial activity and relatively low water solubility.

Depending on the formulation, TIBP can:

• Reduce persistent foam

• Improve wetting and penetration

• Act as an organic solvent or carrier

• Modify flexibility and processing

• Support liquid–liquid extraction

• Contribute to lubricant or hydraulic-fluid formulations

Its performance depends on concentration, temperature, formulation polarity, surfactants and the other solvents present.

What Are the Main Applications of TIBP?

Industrial Defoaming

TIBP is used as a foam-control component in selected concrete additives, textile processes, paper coatings, inks, drilling fluids and industrial formulations.

The required dosage should be established through application testing because excessive addition may affect wetting, coating appearance or downstream processing.

Solvent Extraction

Its low water solubility and affinity for organic phases allow TIBP to be evaluated as an extractant or extraction-solvent component in suitable separation processes.

Phase separation, selectivity, loading capacity and solvent recovery should be tested with the actual feed system.

Plasticizers and Polymer Processing

TIBP may be used as a plasticizing or processing additive for selected resins, coatings, adhesives, cellulose derivatives and rubber formulations.

Compatibility, migration, volatility and regulatory requirements must be evaluated for the intended polymer.

Textile, Dye and Ink Auxiliaries

TIBP can function as a wetting, penetrating, solvent or foam-control component in textile processing, printing inks and dye-related formulations.

Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids

It may be considered as a solvent or functional phosphate-ester component in selected lubricant and hydraulic-fluid systems. Thermal stability, seal compatibility and fire-performance requirements should be tested in the complete formulation.

Final dosage and compatibility should be confirmed in the customer’s complete formulation rather than judged from TIBP purity alone.

TIBP vs TBP: What Is the Difference?

TIBP and TBP are different phosphate esters and should not be confused.

They are structural isomers with the same molecular formula but different branching. This can affect viscosity, solubility, extraction behavior, foam control and formulation compatibility.

Do not substitute TIBP for TBP without laboratory and process validation.

Which TIBP Specifications Should Buyers Compare?

Test temperature and analytical method should be stated because density and refractive index vary with temperature.

How to Select the Right TIBP Grade

When requesting a quotation, provide:

1. Intended application

2. Required assay

3. Maximum water and acid value

4. Maximum APHA color

5. Required density or refractive-index range

6. Packaging and annual quantity

7. Destination country and regulatory requirements

8. Required COA, SDS or additional documentation

Application trials are recommended before full-scale use.

Packaging and Storage

TIBP packaging depends on order quantity and delivery requirements. Available formats should be confirmed during quotation.

Store TIBP:

• In its original tightly closed container

• In a cool, dry and well-ventilated area

• Away from ignition sources and excessive heat

• Away from incompatible oxidizing materials

• In an area with suitable spill containment

• According to the current SDS and local regulations

Avoid moisture contamination and prolonged exposure to air. Regulatory and transport classification should be checked using the SDS issued for the supplied grade and destination.

Why Source TIBP from AOZUN?

AOZUN supports industrial buyers with:

• Specification and application matching

• COA, SDS and available technical documents

• Sample evaluation before commercial purchasing

• Drum and bulk-packaging coordination

• Export documentation and international delivery support

• Lot-specific quality confirmation

All specifications, packaging options and compliance documents should be confirmed in the commercial quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TIBP an organic or inorganic chemical?

TIBP is an organic compound. More specifically, it is an organophosphorus phosphate ester.

Is TIBP a fine chemical or a chemical intermediate?

TIBP is normally classified as a fine chemical, specialty solvent or functional additive. It may serve as a process raw material, but it is not generally categorized as a conventional chemical intermediate.

Is TIBP soluble in water?

TIBP has low water solubility but is compatible with many organic solvents. Actual phase behavior should be tested in the intended formulation.

Can TIBP be used as a defoamer by itself?

It can provide antifoaming activity in certain systems, but performance depends on the formulation. Compatibility, dosage and persistence should be tested before commercial use.

Are TIBP and TBP interchangeable?

No. They are structural isomers with different CAS numbers and may perform differently. Substitution requires laboratory and production validation.

Which documents should be requested?

Buyers normally request a lot-specific COA, current SDS, product specification, packaging information and any documentation required by the destination market.

Request a TIBP Quote

Contact AOZUN with your target specification, application, quantity, packaging and destination. Our team will review available material, documentation, sample requirements and delivery options.