Question

What are the main characteristics of Polyethylene Glycol Distearate 400DS?

Answer
2026-05-17 官方文档 聚乙二醇双硬脂酸酯400DS

Polyethylene Glycol Distearate 400DS is a nonionic surfactant with core characteristics of excellent emulsifying power, dispersibility, acid-alkali stability, and low irritation, widely used in personal care, washing, textile, and industrial fields.

Detailed Description

Polyethylene Glycol Distearate 400DS (CAS: 9005-08-7) is prepared by esterifying polyethylene glycol 400 with stearic acid, appearing as a white to slightly yellow waxy solid. As a nonionic surfactant, its molecular structure contains no ionic groups, thus possessing extremely excellent chemical compatibility—it can be stably compounded with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants without causing antagonism or precipitation, which is particularly critical in complex industrial formulations.

The core value of this product lies in its "multi-purpose" functional integration: it is both an efficient oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier that significantly reduces the oil/water interfacial tension, giving the emulsion a fine and uniform texture; and it is an excellent dispersing and suspending agent that effectively prevents the settling and agglomeration of solid particles and pigments, ensuring long-term uniformity of the system; while also providing thickening and stabilizing functions, improving the rheological properties and shelf stability of the final product.

From a safety and environmental perspective, under normal use conditions, this product is mild to the skin without significant irritation. Its oral and dermal median lethal dose (LD50) is greater than 2000 mg/kg, not classified as acutely toxic. Additionally, it is readily biodegradable, meeting OECD 301 series standards for ready biodegradability, with a low octanol/water partition coefficient, no bioaccumulation potential, aligning with the direction of green chemistry development.

Key Performance Parameters

Performance IndicatorDescription of Characteristics
Product TypeNonionic surfactant
AppearanceWhite to slightly yellow waxy solid
Emulsification TypeOil-in-water (O/W)
Ionic CompatibilityCan be compounded with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric systems
pH AdaptabilityStable performance over a wide pH range
Hard Water StabilityExcellent, no precipitation or deactivation
Skin IrritationMild and low irritation
Acute Toxicity (Oral LD50)Greater than 2000 mg/kg
BiodegradabilityReadily biodegradable (meets OECD 301 standards)
Bioaccumulation PotentialLow (low log Pow)

Application Suggestions

According to Guoli Chemical product data, Polyethylene Glycol Distearate 400DS performs outstandingly in the following five areas:

  • Personal Care and Cosmetics: Acts as a primary emulsifier, co-emulsifier, and thickener in creams, lotions, conditioners, sunscreens, and facial cleansers, imparting ideal consistency, spreadability, and skin feel to the products.
  • Household and Industrial Detergents: Provides conditioning effects and low-temperature stability in fabric softeners and laundry detergents, while also offering thickening and foam stabilization functions, improving product cling and user experience.
  • Textile Auxiliaries: Serves as a key component in softeners and antistatic agents, helping active ingredients adhere uniformly to fiber surfaces, imparting a soft and fluffy hand feel to fabrics.
  • Metalworking Fluids: Promotes stable dispersion of oil-water systems in cutting fluids and emulsified oils, providing boundary lubrication performance, extending tool life, and improving workpiece surface finish.
  • Plastic and Rubber Processing: Functions as an internal lubricant and mold release agent, improving melt flow and filler dispersion, enhancing product surface quality, and reducing mold fouling.

Precautions

  • Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse; the ambient temperature is recommended to be controlled between 5°C and 40°C; keep the container tightly closed to prevent moisture absorption.
  • Keep away from heat sources, open flames, and strong oxidizers; avoid storing together with food or feed.
  • Avoid generating and inhaling dust during operation; after contact, wash hands and skin thoroughly with soap and water; in case of eye contact, rinse immediately with running water for at least 15 minutes.