Octadecylamine Polyoxyethylene Ether AC-1820 is a nonionic surfactant derived from octadecyl fatty amine as the starting raw material, modified by ethylene oxide polymerization. Its core characteristic lies in its pH-dependent ion-conversion behavior: it exhibits nonionic properties under neutral and alkaline conditions, while in acidic media, the tertiary amine group protonates and transforms into a cationic surfactant. This property determines that its usage method needs to be optimized based on the acid-base environment of the system.
In practical applications, AC-1820 is typically incorporated into the formulation system by direct addition. For aqueous systems, it is recommended to pre-disperse or stir-dissolve it in warm water (approximately 40-60°C) before adding to ensure uniform distribution. In acidic systems (such as acid dye baths or acidic cleaners), its cationic properties are activated, showing strong affinity for negatively charged substrates like fibers and metal surfaces. At this time, attention should be paid to compatibility with other anionic auxiliaries to avoid precipitation or antagonistic effects. In neutral or alkaline systems, it functions as a typical nonionic surfactant.
AC-1820 can be compounded with nonionic and cationic surfactants, but should avoid direct mixing with anionic auxiliaries in the same acidic bath to prevent performance degradation or precipitation due to charge neutralization. During operation, follow product safety instructions, wear chemical protective gloves and goggles, and ensure good ventilation in the work area.
| Application Field | Recommended Dosage (Percentage of Total Formulation) | Key Usage Points |
|---|---|---|
| Acid dye leveling agent | 0.5% - 2.0% | Pre-dissolve in warm water and add to the acidic dye bath; adjust the dye bath pH to the acidic range to activate cationic properties. |
| Wool/Nylon fabric leveling agent | 1.0% - 3.0% (on weight of fabric) | Add to the dye bath simultaneously with the dye at the beginning of dyeing; control the heating rate to achieve optimal migration and leveling effect. |
| Pesticide emulsifier | 3.0% - 8.0% | Mix evenly with pesticide active ingredient and solvent; if necessary, use in combination with other nonionic emulsifiers. |
| Industrial cleaner | 1.0% - 5.0% | Add directly to acidic cleaning formulations; works better when used in conjunction with corrosion inhibitors. |
| Metalworking corrosion inhibitor | 0.5% - 2.0% | Add to cutting fluid or grinding fluid systems; stir evenly in circulation. |
| Synthetic fiber/plastic antistatic agent | 0.3% - 1.5% | Can be applied by internal addition (added before mixing/injection molding) or external coating. |
| Mineral flotation agent | 50 - 300 g/t (of ore) | Adjust dosage according to ore properties; used as a collector or froth auxiliary agent. |
| Asphalt emulsifier | 0.5% - 2.0% (based on total emulsified asphalt) | Under neutral or slightly acidic conditions, emulsify with hot asphalt and water via a colloid mill. |
pH regulation is key: To fully utilize the cationic properties of AC-1820 (such as in leveling, antistatic, corrosion inhibition scenarios), adjust the system pH to the acidic range (typically pH 4-6) to fully protonate the tertiary amine group. If only using its nonionic emulsifying and dispersing functions, it can be used under neutral or weakly alkaline conditions.
Dissolution and dispersion: AC-1820 is a paste or waxy solid (depending on ambient temperature). It is recommended to pre-disperse in warm water at 40-60°C or heat to a flowable state before feeding. For continuous production, a metering tank with heating function can be equipped to ensure accurate addition.
Compounding precautions: In acidic systems, avoid direct compounding with anionic surfactants (such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, etc.) to prevent charge neutralization. If compounding is necessary, conduct a compatibility small-scale test first.