Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60, also known as PEG-60 Castor Oil or Ethoxylated Castor Oil (60 EO), is a nonionic surfactant manufactured by GuoLi Chemical using natural castor oil as a starting material through the addition of ethylene oxide (60 mol EO). Its molecular structure contains both hydrophobic castor oil fatty acid chains and hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chains. This unique amphiphilic structure gives it outstanding oriented adsorption ability at the oil/water interface.
As an efficient O/W (oil-in-water) emulsifier, EL-60 exhibits excellent emulsifying performance on mineral oils, animal and vegetable oils, waxes, and various organic phases. It significantly reduces the interfacial tension between oil and water, providing long-term storage stability to emulsions. Furthermore, it has good chemical stability, maintaining performance in acidic, alkaline, and hard water systems, and can be widely compounded with nonionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants.
In terms of safety, EL-60 has very low acute oral toxicity (LD₅₀ > 5000 mg/kg), is non-irritating to skin and eyes (OECD 404/405), has no skin sensitization, and is readily biodegradable (>60% BOD/COD, OECD 301B), meeting the sustainable development requirements of modern green chemicals.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 |
| CAS Number | 61791-12-6 |
| Synonyms | Polyoxyethylene (60) Castor Oil; PEG-60 Castor Oil; Ethoxylated Castor Oil (60 EO); Castor Oil Polyether EL-60 |
| Product Type | Nonionic Surfactant |
| Appearance | Light Yellow Paste |
| Raw Material Source | Natural Castor Oil |
| EO Adduct Number | Approx. 60 mol |
| Emulsion Type | O/W (Oil-in-Water) |
| Acute Oral Toxicity (LD₅₀) | > 5000 mg/kg (Rat) |
| Skin Irritation | Non-irritating (OECD 404, Rabbit) |
| Eye Irritation | Non-irritating (OECD 405, Rabbit) |
| Skin Sensitization | Non-sensitizing (OECD 406, Guinea Pig) |
| Mutagenicity (Ames Test) | Negative |
| Fish Acute Toxicity (96h LC₅₀) | > 100 mg/L |
| Biodegradability | Readily Biodegradable (>60% BOD/COD, OECD 301B) |
| GHS Classification | Not a Hazardous Substance or Mixture |
| HLB Value | Not Available |
| Cloud Point | Not Available |
| Hydroxyl Value | Not Available |
Industrial Emulsifier: Used as an efficient O/W emulsifier in metalworking fluids, industrial cleaners, hydraulic fluids, etc. The recommended dosage depends on the oil phase ratio, typically 2% to 10% of the total formulation.
Textile Printing and Dyeing: Acts as a leveling agent and dispersant for high-temperature, high-pressure, or normal-temperature dyeing, helping dye to evenly absorb onto fibers and preventing color spots and unevenness. Recommended dosage: 0.5% to 3% (based on fabric weight).
Pesticide Formulations: Used as an emulsifier and wetting agent in emulsifiable concentrates, aqueous emulsions, and microemulsions to enhance the spreading and penetration of the spray liquid on leaf surfaces. Recommended dosage: 3% to 8% (based on total formulation).
Daily Chemical Products: Used as a solubilizer and emulsifier in makeup removers, facial cleansers, transparent shampoos, body washes, etc. It effectively solubilizes fragrances, essential oils, and fat-soluble active ingredients, maintaining product clarity and stability. Recommended dosage: 0.5% to 5%.
Emulsion Polymerization: Participates in acrylic, styrene-acrylic, and vinyl acetate-acrylic emulsion polymerization systems, providing micellar nucleation and monomer emulsification to help control latex particle size distribution. Recommended dosage: 1% to 4% of the total monomer weight.
Metalworking Fluids: Provides synergistic cooling, lubrication, and anti-rust effects in emulsified cutting fluids, grinding fluids, and rolling oils. Recommended dosage: 5% to 15%.