Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-40 (PEG-40 Castor Oil) is a nonionic surfactant produced by Guoli Chemical, with an HLB value between 12.5 and 13.5 (data source: Guoli Chemical product database). It is easily soluble in water and suitable for use as an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier. During use, this product can be directly added to the water phase or oil phase. It is recommended to add slowly under stirring conditions. If necessary, heat the oil phase and water phase to 40~60°C separately before mixing and emulsifying to obtain a more uniform and stable emulsion system.
Due to its high active content (≥99%), it is a viscous liquid at room temperature (kinematic viscosity 400-600 mPa·s, 25°C), and its fluidity decreases at low temperatures. It is recommended to warm the product to 15~35°C before use for accurate weighing and dispersion. If multiple surfactants are combined in the formulation, EL-40 has good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic additives, and can synergistically perform emulsification and dispersion functions.
It should be noted that the pH of a 1% aqueous solution of this product is 5.0-7.0, which is nearly neutral and has little effect on the acidity or alkalinity of the formulation system; its cloud point is ≥100°C, offering excellent high-temperature resistance, suitable for processes requiring heating operations. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) is only 0.01%-0.05%, meaning that micelles can form at very low concentrations, resulting in high usage efficiency.
The following recommended addition amounts are industry reference values; specific dosages need to be determined through experiments based on the actual formulation and performance requirements:
| Application Field | Functional Role | Recommended Addition Amount (as % of total formulation) |
|---|---|---|
| Textile Printing and Dyeing | Emulsifier, Leveling Agent, Antistatic Agent | 1%~5% |
| Pesticide Formulations (EC/EW) | Emulsifying Dispersant | 3%~10% |
| Coatings, Inks | Pigment Wetting and Dispersing Agent | 0.5%~3% |
| Metalworking Fluids | Emulsifier and Lubricant | 2%~8% |
| Daily Chemical Products (Creams/Facial Cleansers, etc.) | Mild Emulsifier, Solubilizer | 1%~5% |
Notes: When used as the primary emulsifier in pesticide formulations, the dosage is usually 5%-15% of the oil phase (technical material + solvent) mass; for solubilizing essential oils in daily chemical products, it is recommended to add EL-40 at 3-5 times the amount of essential oil. The above are industry empirical values; the optimal dosage should be determined through orthogonal experiments or phase diagram analysis.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Ionic Type | Nonionic |
| HLB Value | 12.5~13.5 |
| Appearance | Light yellow to yellow transparent liquid |
| Active Content | ≥99% |
| Cloud Point (1% Aqueous Solution) | ≥100°C |
| pH of 1% Aqueous Solution (25°C) | 5.0-7.0 |
| Kinematic Viscosity (25°C) | 400-600 mPa·s |
| Density (25°C) | 1.04-1.06 g/cm³ |
| Solubility | Easily soluble in water, ethanol, ether, etc. |
| Flash Point | ＞200°C |
| CMC (Critical Micelle Concentration) | 0.01%-0.05% |