Importance

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Abstract

Tableted detergents are formed from a hydrated phosphate sequestrant, caustic, free water and, optionally, fillers by combining the products and tableting the components without permitting the tablets or detergent to exceed 50.degree. C. In a preferred embodiment where fillers are incorporated, all free water is combined with the phosphate sequestrants, both anhydrous and hydrated. After the water has been absorbed by the sequestrants, the filler and caustic can be added and the detergent tableted. The free water is bound sufficiently tightly to the phosphate sequestrant that it does not rapidly react with the anhydrous caustic, maintaining the temperature at less than 50.degree. C., which in turn prevents the water of hydration in the phosphates from reacting and thereby weakening the formed tablets. The tablets can also be formed by combining the filler with the phosphate sequestrants and water and subsequently adding caustic if the detergent is cooled and its temperature maintained below 50.degree. C. until the hydration reaction with the caustic and free water is complete.

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First Claim