Polyethylene Glycol 400 Distearate 400DS (PEG-400 Distearate, CAS No.: 9005-08-7) is a nonionic surfactant. At room temperature, it appears as a white to slightly yellow waxy solid with a melting point range of 40~50°C. Since the product is in solid form, it must be heated to a molten state before use (recommended heating to 50~60°C), then added to the oil phase and mixed thoroughly with other oily components; alternatively, it can be pre-dissolved in organic solvents such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol before being incorporated into the formulation system.
The product has an HLB value of 7.5, indicating moderate lipophilicity, and it disperses in water rather than completely dissolving. Therefore, when preparing oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, it is typically used in combination with high-HLB emulsifiers (such as PEG-400 Monostearate) to achieve better emulsifying effects. Its diester content is ≥90%, offering good chemical stability and stable performance across a wide pH range, but direct contact with strong alkaline environments should be avoided.
As a low-foaming product, PEG-400DS exhibits multiple functions in formulations, including emulsification, thickening, and dispersion. It can be well compounded with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants, providing high formulation flexibility.
The following are recommended addition amounts for various industrial applications (based on industry general reference ranges, sourced from Guoli Chemical formulation application experience):
| Application Field | Specific Product | Recommended Addition Amount (wt%) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Care & Cosmetics | Creams, Lotions | 1.0%~4.0% | Primary/Co-emulsifier, Thickener |
| Personal Care & Cosmetics | Shampoos, Conditioners | 0.5%~2.0% | Thickening, Conditioning, Pearlizing Stability |
| Personal Care & Cosmetics | Sunscreens | 1.5%~3.0% | Emulsification Dispersion, Water Resistance Improvement |
| Household Detergents | Fabric Softeners | 2.0%~5.0% | Softening Conditioning, Thickening |
| Household Detergents | Liquid Detergents | 0.5%~2.0% | Thickening, Foam Stabilization |
| Textile Auxiliaries | Softening Finishing Agents | 3.0%~8.0% | Softener Component, Antistatic |
| Metalworking Fluids | Cutting Fluids, Emulsified Oils | 2.0%~6.0% | Emulsifier, Lubrication Additive |
| Plastics & Rubber Processing | Internal Lubricants, Mold Release Agents | 0.2%~1.5% | Flow Improvement, Anti-sticking |
The above recommended addition amounts are reference ranges. The specific dosage should be determined through small-scale optimization based on the performance requirements of the target formulation, characteristics of the compounding system, and process conditions.