Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-20 is a high-performance non-ionic surfactant with outstanding emulsifying ability, excellent chemical stability, and broad compatibility as its core advantages.
Detailed Description
Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-20 (INCI name: PEG-20 Castor Oil, CAS number: 61791-12-6) is a non-ionic surfactant produced by the addition polymerization of 20 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) onto natural castor oil. It appears as a light yellow to yellow oily liquid or paste. As a typical O/W emulsifier, it exhibits excellent emulsifying, wetting, and dispersing capabilities for mineral oils, animal and vegetable oils, making it an indispensable functional additive in many industrial formulations.
The most prominent feature of this product is its strong chemical stability—it shows high tolerance to acids, alkalis, and hard water, maintaining stable surface activity under complex water quality conditions and a wide pH range. At the same time, it has excellent compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other non-ionic surfactants, allowing flexible compounding to effectively enhance the stability and efficacy of the overall formulation. This characteristic makes it easily applicable in diverse industrial systems.
From a safety perspective, EL-20 is a non-hazardous substance, with no acute toxicity (rat oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg), non-flammable, and can be safely stored and transported without special protective measures. It is only mildly irritating to the skin and eyes; routine operations require the wearing of protective gloves and goggles. The product should be stored sealed at 5–35°C, away from strong oxidizing agents.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Product Name | Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-20 |
| CAS Number | 61791-12-6 |
| INCI Name | PEG-20 Castor Oil |
| Product Type | Non-ionic Surfactant |
| Appearance | Light yellow to yellow oily liquid or paste |
| EO Number | 20 |
| Emulsifier Type | O/W Emulsifier |
| HLB Value | Not available |
| Cloud Point | Not available |
| Hydroxyl Value | Not available |
| Hazardous Material Classification | Non-hazardous |
Application Recommendations
EL-20 is used in six core application areas. The specific uses and recommendations for each area are as follows:
- Textile Printing and Dyeing Auxiliaries: As an efficient leveling agent, dispersant, and softener, it improves dye penetration and uniform distribution, imparting a soft and smooth hand feel to fibers.
- Pesticide Emulsifiers: Used in formulating environmentally friendly dosage forms such as emulsions in water (EW) and microemulsions (ME), enhancing the dispersion stability and efficacy of active ingredients.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Acts as an emulsifier and solubilizer, suitable for creams, lotions, shower gels, shampoos, and other products, helping to stabilize oil-water mixtures and provide a mild skin feel.
- Metalworking Fluids: Combines emulsifying, lubricating, and anti-rust functions, improving cooling and lubrication performance in cutting fluids, grinding fluids, and other formulations, extending tool life.
- Coatings and Inks: Serves as a pigment wetting and dispersing agent and emulsion polymerization emulsifier, improving pigment paste fineness and storage stability, enhancing coating gloss and leveling.
- Industrial Cleaners: Exhibits excellent emulsifying, detergency, and anti-redeposition capabilities, suitable for hard surface cleaning, fabric washing, and industrial degreasing formulations.
Precautions
- This product is mildly irritating to the skin and eyes. Prolonged or repeated contact may cause defatting and drying of the skin. It is recommended to wear nitrile or neoprene gloves and chemical safety goggles during operation.
- Storage temperature should be controlled at 5–35°C, avoiding freezing or high-temperature environments. Keep the container tightly sealed and away from strong oxidizing agents.
- The work area must be well-ventilated. Wash hands thoroughly after work. Eating and smoking are prohibited in the workplace.
- Disposal must be carried out in accordance with local regulations. Do not discharge into sewers, water sources, or soil. It is recommended to hand over to a qualified waste treatment facility.
