Phosphoric acid tributyl ester, also known as tributyl phosphate or TBP, is an industrial chemical.

TBP is used mainly in industrial settings in aviation hydraulic fluids as a flame retardant, as an extraction solvent for rare earth metals from ores, in the manufacture of uranium trioxide, as a defoaming agent, as a plasticizer and in hydraulic fluid and coatings. It is also found in some paints and brake fluids.

TBP is not manufactured in Canada, but is imported into Canada.TBP is a solvent and plasticizer for cellulose esters such as nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate. It forms stable hydrophobic complexes with some metals; these complexes are soluble in organic solvents as well as supercritical CO2. The major uses of TBP in industry are as a component of aircraft hydraulic fluid, brake fluid, and as a solvent for extraction and purification of rare-earth metals from their ores.

TBP finds its use as a solvent in inks, synthetic resins, gums, adhesives (namely for veneer plywood), and herbicide and fungicide concentrates.Tributyl phosphate (TBP) is an organophosphorus compound widely used as a solvent in nuclear fuel reprocessing for the extraction of uranium and plutonium from other radionuclides.

The major uses of tributyl phosphate (TBP) in industry are as a flame retardant component of aircraft hydraulic fluid and as a solvent for rare earth extraction and purification. Minor uses of TBP include use as a defoamer additive in cement casings for oil wells, as an anti-air entrainment additive for coatings and floor finishes, as a solvent in nuclear fuel processing, and as a carrier for fluorescent dyes.
The microbial degradation of tributyl phosphate was carried out using Klebsiella pneumoniae S3 isolated from the soil. The solubilization behavior of TBP in aqueous solutions of L64-Pluronics was studied using light and small angle neutron scattering (SANS).Potential Exposure

The industrial application of this chemical is responsible for occupational exposure and environmental pollution. Exposure to TBP can be from ingestion, inhalation, or skin or eye contact. This exposure will most often happen from occupational use of hydraulic fluid. If TBP is released to the environment, it will bind tightly to dust particles in the air. Unbound TBP will break down in air. It will move slowly through soil because it will bind with soil particles. It may volatilize slowly from moist soil and water surfaces. It may build up in aquatic organisms. It will be broken down in water by microbes.

DescriptionUses

Tributyl phosphate is used as a plasticizer for cellulose esters, vinyl resins, and lacquers; and in making fireretardants, biocides, defoamers, and catalysts.

Uses

Tributyl phosphate is used as an antifoaming agent; plasticizer for cellulose esters, lacquers, plastic, and vinyl resins; component in hydraulic fluids for aircraft control systems.

Definition