1. n. [Drilling Fluids]
A cationic amine salt in which the nitrogen atom has four groups bonded to it and carries a positive charge. Quaternary amines are used as oil-wetting agents, corrosion and shale inhibitors and bactericides.
See: amines, attapulgite, cation, clay, fatty acid, inhibitor, lignite, organophilic, organophilic clay, organophilic lignite, surfactant