Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-20 is a nonionic surfactant produced by the addition polymerization of castor oil with 20 ethylene oxide (EO) units. Its CAS number is 61791-12-6, and it is widely used in emulsification, wetting, dispersion, and other fields.
Detailed Description
Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-20 (INCI name: PEG-20 Castor Oil) is a nonionic surfactant prepared from natural castor oil through ethoxylation, introducing approximately 20 ethylene oxide units. It appears as a pale yellow to yellow oily liquid or paste. It is an O/W type emulsifier, especially suitable for emulsifying mineral oils, animal and vegetable oils.
As a nonionic surfactant, EL-20 exhibits excellent emulsifying, wetting, and dispersing capabilities, and shows high stability towards acids, alkalis, and hard water. It has good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants, effectively improving the overall stability and efficacy of formulations. This product has no acute toxicity (rat oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg), is non-flammable, non-explosive, and is classified as a non-hazardous substance, though it has mild irritancy to skin and eyes.
The molecular structure of EL-20 contains both the long-chain hydrophobic groups of castor oil fatty acids and the hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chains. This amphiphilic structure enables it to reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water, making it a key interfacial active component in various industrial formulations.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Specification/Description |
|---|
| Product Name | Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-20 |
| INCI Name | PEG-20 Castor Oil |
| CAS Number | 61791-12-6 |
| Aliases | Polyoxyethylene (20) Castor Oil; Emulsifier EL-20; Polyoxyethylene (20) castor oil; Ethoxylated castor oil (20 EO) |
| Ionic Type | Nonionic Surfactant |
| Appearance | Pale yellow to yellow oily liquid or paste |
| Emulsification Type | O/W (Oil-in-Water) |
| EO Number | Approx. 20 |
| Acute Toxicity | Rat oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg (Non-acutely toxic) |
| Hazard Classification | Non-hazardous |
Application Recommendations
With its excellent overall performance, EL-20 plays an important role in multiple industries:
- Textile Printing and Dyeing Auxiliaries: It serves as an efficient leveling agent, dispersing agent, and softener, improving dye penetration and uniform distribution on fabrics, imparting a soft and smooth feel to fibers.
- Pesticide Emulsifiers: Used in formulating environmentally friendly formulations such as oil-in-water emulsions (EW) and microemulsions (ME), enhancing the dispersion stability and efficacy of active ingredients.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Acts as an emulsifier and solubilizer in creams, lotions, body washes, shampoos, etc., aiding stable mixing of oil and water phases, providing a mild feel and good compatibility.
- Metalworking Fluids: Combines emulsifying, lubricating, and anti-rust functions, enhancing cooling and lubrication performance in cutting fluids, grinding fluids, etc., extending tool life.
- Coatings and Inks: Used as a pigment wetting and dispersing agent and emulsion polymerization emulsifier, improving pigment paste fineness and storage stability, enhancing film gloss and leveling.
- Industrial Cleaners: Exhibits excellent emulsifying, detergency, and anti-redeposition capabilities, used in hard surface cleaning, fabric washing, and industrial degreasing formulations to improve oil removal efficiency.
Precautions
- Personal Protection: It is recommended to wear nitrile or neoprene gloves and chemical safety goggles during operation to avoid direct contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
- Ventilation Requirements: Ensure adequate ventilation in the work area. Where aerosols may be generated, local exhaust ventilation should be provided.
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse with a temperature controlled between 5–35°C, avoiding freezing or high temperatures. Keep containers tightly closed and away from heat sources and open flames.
- Incompatible Materials: Keep away from strong oxidizers, strong acids, and strong alkalis; store separately.
- First Aid Measures: In case of skin contact, wash with plenty of water and soap for at least 15 minutes; in case of eye contact, rinse continuously with water or saline for at least 15 minutes; if irritation persists, seek medical attention immediately; if ingested, do NOT induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water and seek medical attention immediately.
- Environmental Disposal: Do not discharge into sewers, water sources, or soil. Dispose of in accordance with local regulations by qualified agencies.
