What is Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-10

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-10 is a nonionic surfactant prepared from natural castor oil via ethoxylation reaction, with an HLB value of approximately 6.4, mainly used in W/O (water-in-oil) emulsification systems.

Detailed Description

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-10 (CAS No.: 61791-12-6), full name Polyoxyethylene (10) Castor Oil (PEG-10 Castor Oil), also known as Emulsifier EL-10, is a high-quality nonionic surfactant produced by Guoli Chemical. It appears as a light yellow to yellow transparent oily liquid with a molecular weight of about 1300. This product is made using natural castor oil as the starting raw material, through addition polymerization with 10 moles of ethylene oxide. It belongs to a polymer mixture and has no fixed molecular formula.

This product possesses excellent emulsifying properties, especially suitable for W/O (water-in-oil) emulsification systems, effectively stabilizing the emulsion structure. Its lipophilic characteristics originate from the castor oil fatty acid chain segment, while the polyoxyethylene chain segment provides certain hydrophilicity. The synergistic effect of these two parts endows the product with outstanding wetting and dispersing properties, significantly reducing interfacial tension and promoting uniform dispersion of particles or pigments. Additionally, this product exhibits good stability against acids, alkalis, and hard water, maintaining high chemical activity under complex water quality or extreme pH conditions.

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-10 is insoluble in water (no cloud point) but is readily soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. The product has a flash point above 150°C, is classified as non-hazardous and non-flammable liquid, and is chemically stable at room temperature. Its active content is ≥99%, acid value ≤1.5 mgKOH/g, saponification value 90-110 mgKOH/g, hydroxyl value 80-100 mgKOH/g. It is hygroscopic and must be stored in sealed containers.

Technical Parameters

Application Recommendations

Due to its lipophilic nature with an HLB value of approximately 6.4, Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-10 is widely used in the following fields:

• Pesticide Formulations: Used as a high-quality nonionic emulsifier in emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations of pesticides such as beta-cypermethrin and abamectin, improving emulsion stability, spreading, and penetration capabilities, thereby enhancing efficacy.
• Cosmetics Industry: Suitable for W/O (water-in-oil) creams and lotions, such as cold creams, sunscreens, and skin care lotions, acting as an emulsifier and superfatting agent to improve skin feel and stability.
• Textile Industry: Used as a smoothing and wetting component during spinning and subsequent processing of synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, imparting excellent smoothness, antistatic properties, and cohesion, reducing broken ends and fuzz.
• Leather Processing: As a component of fatliquoring agents, it effectively penetrates between leather fibers, providing softness and fullness to the finished leather, and enhancing flex resistance and waterproof properties.
• Metalworking Fluids: Acts as an emulsifier and lubricating component in emulsified cutting fluids, grinding fluids, and rust preventive oils, also offering rust protection, suitable for ferrous metals and some non-ferrous metal processing.
• Coatings and Inks: Used as an efficient dispersant for organic pigments (e.g., phthalocyanine blue, azo pigments), reducing system viscosity, improving color strength, and storage stability.
• Industrial Cleaning: In low-foam or medium-foam industrial cleaners, it exhibits excellent emulsifying and solubilizing capabilities for mineral oils and greasy soils, suitable for cleaning hard surfaces such as metals and plastics.

Precautions

• The product is insoluble in water; when preparing emulsions, it should be dissolved in the oil phase or organic solvent first.
• During handling, wear chemical safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile rubber), and appropriate protective clothing.
• Causes mild irritation to eyes and skin; avoid direct contact. In case of contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
• Hygroscopic; store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse with containers tightly sealed. Recommended storage temperature is 0°C to 40°C.
• Avoid contact with incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers and strong acids.
• This product is non-hazardous, but may decompose at high temperatures releasing irritating gases. Suitable extinguishing media include water spray, dry powder, carbon dioxide, etc.