Castor oil polyoxyethylene ether EL-40 (CAS No.: 61791-12-6) is a non-ionic surfactant derived from natural castor oil, with a moderate HLB value and excellent emulsifying, wetting, and dispersing capabilities. The polyoxyethylene segments in its molecular structure endow the product with good water solubility, while the long chain of castor oil fatty acid provides affinity for oily substances, making it outstanding in constructing oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion systems.
This product is resistant to hard water, acids, and alkalis, and exhibits good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and non-ionic auxiliaries. Therefore, it can be used as a multifunctional additive in various industrial formulations. The following application data are derived from the official product technical documentation of Hai'an Guoli Chemical Co., Ltd.
| Application Industry | Specific Process/Use | Functional Role |
|---|---|---|
| Textile Printing and Dyeing Industry | Dyeing processing, fiber finishing | Emulsifier, leveling agent, antistatic agent, ensuring uniform dye penetration and improving fiber hand feel and smoothness |
| Pesticide Formulations | Preparation of emulsifiable concentrates (EC) and emulsions (EW) | Emulsifying dispersant, stably dispersing oily active ingredients in water, enhancing wetting and spreading ability of the spray liquid |
| Coatings and Inks | Pigment dispersion grinding, emulsion polymerization | Wetting dispersant, emulsifier, preventing pigment flocculation and floating color, improving tinting strength and storage stability |
| Metalworking Fluids | Cutting, grinding, wire drawing and other processing processes | Emulsifier and lubricant, forming stable emulsion, providing cooling, lubrication and anti-rust performance |
| Daily Chemical Products | Preparation of skin creams, facial cleansers, emulsifying waxes | Mild non-ionic surfactant, contributing solubilization, emulsification and cleansing efficacy, reducing formulation irritation |
In textile printing and dyeing, EL-40 is often compounded with auxiliaries such as Peregal to enhance leveling effects. In pesticide formulations, it is recommended to combine with other non-ionic/anionic emulsifiers (e.g., Agricultural Emulsifier 500#, 600# series) to achieve a broader HLB value coverage. In metalworking fluid formulations, the recommended dosage is 3% to 8%, adjusted according to the type of base oil and processing intensity.