Triethylaluminium

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Triethylaluminium
IUPAC name Triethylalumane
Identifiers
Abbreviations TEA
CAS number [97-93-8]
PubChem 16682930
EINECS number 202-619-3
SMILES CC[Al](CC)CC
Properties
Molecular formula C6H15Al
Molar mass 114.165 g/mol
Melting point

−50 °C
Boiling point

128-130 °C at 50 mm Hg
Hazards
Main hazards pyrophoric
R-phrases R14 R17 R34
S-phrases S16 S42 S45
Flash point −18 °C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Triethylaluminium or TEA is a volatile organometallic compound which is used in various chemical processing and as an ignitor for jet and rocket engines. It is a colorless liquid with melting point -50 °C, boiling point 128-130 °C at 50 mm Hg, flash point at -18 °C, and a characteristic smell. It is corrosive, causes burns, and is highly destructive to respiratory tract.

TEA is pyrophoric (can ignite on contact with air) and will ignite and/or decompose on contact with water, and with any other oxidizers.[1]

TEA is one of the few substances volatile enough to ignite on contact with cryogenic liquid oxygen, which makes it particularly desirable as a rocket engine ignitor. It also can be used as a rocket fuel, but has not been for any production vehicle.[2]

[edit] Thickened pyrophoric agent

Triethylaluminium thickened with polyisobutylene is used as an incendiary weapon, as a pyrophoric alternative to napalm, e.g. in the M74 rockets for the M202A1 launchers.[3] In this application it is known as TPA, for thickened pyrotechnic agent or thickened pyrophoric agent.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ TEA Material Safety Data Sheet, accessed March 27, 2007
  2. ^ Clark, John D., Ignition! An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants, Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ, 1972
  3. ^ M202A1 Flame Assault Shoulder Weapon (Flash), inetres.com