Question

In which industries and processes is Polyethylene Glycol Distearate 400DS mainly applied?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 聚乙二醇双硬脂酸酯400DS

Polyethylene Glycol Distearate 400DS (PEG-400 Distearate) is a versatile nonionic surfactant, with core applications in five major industries: personal care, detergents, textiles, metalworking fluids, and plastics & rubber. It plays an irreplaceable role in key process stages such as emulsification, dispersion, thickening, and lubrication.

Detailed Description

Polyethylene Glycol Distearate 400DS (CAS No.: 9005-08-7) is produced via the esterification reaction of polyethylene glycol with stearic acid. It appears as a white to slightly yellow waxy solid. Its nonionic nature gives the product excellent chemical compatibility, allowing it to be smoothly compounded with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric systems, maintaining stable performance across a wide pH range and in hard water conditions, making it highly favored in numerous industrial formulations.

With its outstanding emulsifying performance (efficiently reducing oil/water interfacial tension to prepare stable oil-in-water emulsions), superior dispersing ability (excellent dispersion and suspension effects for solid particles and pigments), and mild, low-irritation characteristics, this product has become a key functional component in formulations across multiple industries. Below is a detailed introduction to its main application industries and corresponding processes.

Application Industries and Processes

Application Industry Specific Application Areas Process Role & Function
Personal Care & Cosmetics Creams, lotions, conditioners, sunscreens, shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers Primary emulsifier, co-emulsifier, and thickener, imparting ideal consistency, fine texture, good spreadability, and a moisturizing skin feel
Household & Industrial Detergents Laundry liquids, dishwashing detergents, hard surface cleaners, fabric softeners, liquid detergents Thickener, foam stabilizer, and conditioner, enhancing product cling and user experience, maintaining system stability at low temperatures, and improving rinsing feel
Textile Auxiliaries Softening agents, antistatic agents, finishing agents Emulsifying and dispersing component, helping active ingredients uniformly adhere to fiber surfaces, imparting a soft, fluffy hand feel to fabrics, and reducing static buildup during production
Metalworking Fluids Cutting fluids, grinding fluids, emulsifiable oils, rust preventatives Efficient emulsifier and lubricant additive, promoting stable oil-water system dispersion, providing boundary lubrication performance, extending tool life, and improving workpiece surface finish
Plastics & Rubber Processing Polymer processing, filled modification, mold forming Internal lubricant and mold release agent, reducing friction between melt and processing equipment, improving filler dispersion in resin, enhancing product surface finish without affecting transparency, and reducing mold fouling

Application Recommendations

In formulation design, it is recommended to use Polyethylene Glycol Distearate 400DS as a multifunctional additive: In personal care formulations, it can synergize with various ionic surfactants, functioning as a primary or auxiliary emulsifier to improve cream and lotion stability; In metalworking fluid formulations, it is recommended for emulsifying and dispersing oil-water systems to provide reliable boundary lubrication; In plastic processing, adding an appropriate amount of this product can significantly improve melt flowability and mold release performance.

Due to its excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and hard water stability, this product is particularly suitable for industrial formulations with wide pH ranges and complex water quality conditions. Its nonionic nature means it is virtually unaffected by other ionic components in the system during compounding, offering extremely high formulation flexibility.

Precautions

  • The product is a waxy solid at room temperature; gentle heating (recommended not exceeding 40°C) may be required for convenient feeding and dispersion before use.
  • Avoid generation and inhalation of dust during handling. If the work environment is prone to dust generation, local exhaust ventilation or wearing a dust mask is recommended.
  • Store in a cool, dry, 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 strong oxidizing agents. Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and open flames.
  • This product is readily biodegradable and has a low cumulative environmental impact. However, avoid spills entering drains and surface water systems.