Question

How to use Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60?

Answer
2026-05-17 官方文档 蓖麻油聚氧乙烯醚EL-60

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 is a non-ionic O/W emulsifier with a high HLB value (14.5). When using, it can be directly added to the water phase or oil phase, and dispersed by stirring, homogenization or ultrasound to play the role of emulsification, solubilization and dispersion. The recommended dosage is usually 1% to 10% of the total formula weight.

Detailed Description

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 (CAS No.: 61791-12-6) is a non-ionic surfactant produced by ethoxylating natural castor oil with 60 moles of ethylene oxide (EO). It appears as a light yellow to yellow viscous liquid or paste. This product has a high HLB value of 14.5, is easily soluble in water, has strong hydrophilicity, and can effectively reduce the oil-water interfacial tension. It is a typical oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier. In practical use, EL-60 can be directly added to the water phase with stirring to dissolve, or mixed with the oil phase followed by adding water for emulsification. The specific operation method depends on the characteristics of the formulation system.

The usage method of EL-60 varies depending on the application field: When used as an industrial emulsifier, generally add EL-60 at 5% to 15% of the oil phase weight into the oil or water phase, and obtain a stable emulsion after high-speed shearing or homogenization; when used as a textile leveling agent, the dosage in the bath is usually 0.5~2 g/L, used together with dyes in the same bath to effectively prevent dye stains and spots; in pesticide formulations, as an emulsifier, the recommended dosage is 8% to 15% of the oil phase weight, and better effects are achieved when compounded with anionic emulsifiers; as a daily chemical solubilizer, premix fragrance or essential oil with EL-60 at a ratio of 1:1 to 1:3, then slowly add to the water phase with stirring to obtain a transparent system.

The freezing point of this product is about 5~10°C. Solidification or stratification may occur at low temperatures, which is a normal physical change. If solidified at low temperature before use, it is recommended to slowly warm the product to 25~40°C with stirring to restore fluidity before normal use. The product performance will not be affected. EL-60 has good compatibility with anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants, and is stable in acid, alkali and hard water systems, so it can be flexibly compounded according to formulation needs.

Technical Parameters

Parameter ItemValue/Description
Product NameCastor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60
CAS No.61791-12-6
Ionic TypeNon-ionic Surfactant
Appearance (25°C)Light yellow to yellow viscous liquid or paste
HLB Value14.5 (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Active Content≥99% (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Cloud Point (1% Aqueous Solution)≥90°C (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Freezing PointApprox. 5~10°C (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution)5.0~7.0 (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Surface Tension (0.1%, 25°C)Approx. 42 mN/m (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC)Approx. 0.03 g/L (25°C) (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Foam CharacteristicsLow foaming (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Saponification Value45~55 mgKOH/g (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Hydroxyl Value40~50 mgKOH/g (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Density (25°C)1.05~1.07 g/cm³ (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Flash Point>200°C (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
Moisture≤0.5% (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
BiodegradabilityEasily and rapidly biodegradable (>60% BOD/COD, OECD 301B) (Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)

Application Recommendations

According to different application fields, the following usage methods and reference dosages are recommended (source: combined with application field descriptions from Guoli Chemical Product Database and industry common practices):

  • Industrial Emulsifier/Metalworking Fluid: As the main emulsifier, recommended dosage is 3% to 8% of the total formula. Add EL-60 into the oil phase, heat to 40~50°C with stirring to dissolve, then slowly add the water phase and emulsify with high-speed shearing to obtain a stable O/W emulsion. It can be compounded with anionic emulsifiers such as sodium petroleum sulfonate to enhance emulsion stability.
  • Textile Leveling Agent/Dispersant: Dosage in the bath is 0.5~2 g/L. Add it into the working solution before adding dyes and circulate well to effectively prevent dye aggregation and reduce color spots, especially suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure dyeing of polyester and its blends.
  • Pesticide Emulsifier: Recommended dosage is 8% to 15% of the oil phase (technical + solvent) weight. Compounding with anionic emulsifiers (such as agricultural emulsifier 500#, 600# series) at a mass ratio of 1:2 to 1:4 can prepare qualified emulsifiable concentrates, aqueous emulsions and other formulations.
  • Daily Chemical Solubilizer (Fragrance/Essential Oil Solubilization): Premix fragrance or essential oil with EL-60 at a ratio of 1:1 to 1:3 with stirring, then slowly add to water while stirring to obtain a transparent and uniform solubilized system. Deionized water is recommended for optimal clarity.
  • Emulsion Polymerization: As a non-ionic emulsifier in polymerization of acrylate, styrene-acrylic, vinyl acetate-acrylic systems, recommended dosage is 2% to 5% of the total monomer weight. It is usually used in combination with anionic emulsifiers (such as sodium lauryl sulfate) to effectively control latex particle size distribution and polymerization stability.
  • Daily Chemical Creams/Lotions: As a co-emulsifier, recommended dosage is 1% to 3% of the total formula. Compounding with main emulsifiers such as glyceryl stearate and fatty alcohols can improve the fineness and spreading feel of the emulsion.

Precautions

  • Pretreatment: EL-60 may solidify at low temperatures. Before use, warm it to 25~40