Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-20 (CAS: 61791-12-6) is a chemically stable nonionic surfactant, but as a fatty acid polyoxyethylene ether product, the ester and ether bonds in its molecular chain may slowly undergo hydrolysis or oxidation under prolonged high temperature, humidity, or light exposure, leading to a decrease in pH value and reduced emulsification performance. Therefore, proper storage management is key to maintaining its quality stability.
According to the safety technical documentation of Guoli Chemical, this product is non-hazardous, non-flammable, and non-explosive, but under high temperature or open flame conditions, it may decompose to produce irritating fumes such as carbon monoxide. It should be stored away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames, and strictly separated from strong oxidizers, strong acids, and strong bases to avoid unintended chemical reactions.
| Storage Item | Requirement or Indicator |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | 5–35°C, avoid freezing or high temperature |
| Relative Humidity | Dry environment, avoid moisture absorption |
| Container Requirement | Original sealed container or inert material sealed container |
| Incompatible Materials | Strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases |
| Warehouse Condition | Cool, dry, well-ventilated dedicated warehouse |
| Flash Point | >200°C (non-flammable) |
In the product database of Guoli Chemical, the official shelf life for this product is not yet indicated. According to industry standards and stability data of similar nonionic surfactants (PEG-20 castor oil series), under strict compliance with the above storage conditions and with intact, unopened packaging, the recommended shelf life is 24 months (from the production date). For products exceeding the recommended shelf life, it is advisable to re-test key indicators before use (e.g., pH value of 1% aqueous solution should be 5.0–7.0, appearance should be a light yellow to yellow viscous liquid, moisture ≤0.5%), and only use if the results are satisfactory.
For partially used products after opening, the container should be promptly resealed to minimize prolonged exposure to air. If the product becomes turbid or solidifies under low-temperature conditions, this is a normal physical change. It can be restored by slowly warming to 20–30°C and gently stirring until uniform, without affecting performance. When using a container for the first time after long-term storage, it is recommended to sample and test core indicators such as emulsifying power and HLB value (10.5) to ensure they meet the formulation process requirements before batch production.