Cocamide DEA (Ninol) is a high-activity nonionic surfactant (active matter ≥92%) produced by Guoli Chemical through condensation of coconut oil with diethanolamine. It has an HLB value of approximately 6–7, appears as a light yellow to amber transparent viscous liquid, is readily soluble in water, and has a cloud point of 80–90°C. It exhibits excellent compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants. Its core function is to achieve comprehensive effects of thickening, foam stabilization, emulsification, dispersion, and anti-redeposition in liquid cleaning formulations, making it a key auxiliary agent for building high-quality daily chemical cleaning products and industrial cleaning products.
In practical use, cocamide DEA significantly amplifies the thickening effect in the presence of salt (such as sodium chloride), so it is widely used in products requiring viscosity control such as shampoos, body washes, and dishwashing detergents. At the same time, it effectively enhances the foam richness and persistence of anionic main surfactants (such as AES, LAS), making the foam finer and more stable, and reduces the degreasing irritation of the main surfactant on the skin, giving the skin a non-tight, soft touch after washing.
This product contains trace free diethanolamine, and the formulation pH is weakly alkaline (1% aqueous solution pH 9.0–11.0). Personal protection should be taken during operation. Storage requires the container to be sealed and stored in a cool, ventilated place at 10–40°C, avoiding coexistence with strong oxidizers and nitrite substances to prevent the formation of potentially carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds.
Dosing Method:
Shear and Temperature Control:
The following are typical recommended dosage ranges for different application areas (based on total formula weight). Actual addition amounts should be confirmed through experiments according to the specific formulation system, target viscosity, and foam performance:
| Application Area | Recommended Dosage (wt%) | Main Function |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo / Body Wash / Hand Soap | 1.5 – 4.0% | Thickening, foam stabilization, reducing irritation, imparting smooth skin feel |
| Facial Foam / Facial Cleanser | 1.0 – 3.0% | Building dense elastic foam, gentle cleansing, moisturizing |
| Dishwashing Detergent (Dish Soap) | 2.0 – 5.0% | Thickening, stabilizing foam, enhancing degreasing power |
| Hard Surface Cleaner | 1.0 – 3.0% | Thickening carrier, extending contact time, enhancing descaling efficiency |
| Industrial Degreaser/Defatting Agent | 3.0 – 8.0% | Emulsifying dispersion, penetrating and stripping heavy oil |
| Textile Scouring Agent / Penetrant | 2.0 – 6.0% | Wetting and penetrating, removing fiber waxy impurities |
| Leather Degreasing Agent | 2.0 – 5.0% | Emulsifying and removing natural oils from raw hides |
| Metalworking Fluid (Cutting/Grinding Fluid) | 1.0 – 3.0% | Emulsifying lubrication, rust prevention, foam suppression |
Note: The above dosage ranges are industry empirical reference values. Guoli Chemical's product database does not yet have precise recommended dosage parameters for this product. The specific formulation ratio should be determined through laboratory small-scale tests and pilot validation.
Thickening System Optimization: In daily chemical formulations containing AES/LAS, adding 2%–3% cocamide DEA combined with 0.5%–1.5% sodium chloride usually achieves ideal rheological curves and transparency. It is recommended to add salt in portions to avoid sudden viscosity drop (salting-out effect) due to excess.
Foam Performance Improvement: For shampoos and body washes pursuing rich and fine foam, combining cocamide DEA with cocamidopropyl betaine (CAB) can significantly improve foam texture and rinsing smoothness while thickening. A typical combination ratio is main surfactant:6501:CAB = 10–15:2–3:3–5.
Industrial Formulation Notes: In high-alkali or high-electrolyte systems, the main surfactant should be pre-dissolved before adding this product to ensure full dispersion and avoid local flocculation. If combined with other nonionic surfactants (such as AEO series), the complementary HLB values can be utilized to adjust the emulsifying capacity of the system.