Question

Precautions for the use of 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 has high safety and extremely low irritation, but the three principles of standardized operation, proper storage, and emergency handling must still be followed to ensure personnel safety and stable product performance.

Detailed Description

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 (PEG-60 Castor Oil) is a nonionic surfactant, appearing as a pale yellow paste, with excellent chemical stability and wide compatibility. According to current transport regulations, it is classified as a non-hazardous substance, with an acute oral toxicity LD₅₀ > 5000 mg\/kg, indicating a practically non-toxic level, and it is non-irritating to skin and eyes. Nevertheless, during actual use and operation, standardized industrial operating procedures should still be followed to maximize personnel safety and optimal product performance.

When using EL-60 in formulation preparation, special attention should be paid to its compatibility with different systems. This product can be compounded with nonionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants, maintaining good performance stability in acidic, alkaline, and hard water systems. It is recommended to conduct small-scale tests for verification before formal production to confirm the compatibility and emulsification effects among the components in the formulation, avoiding issues such as stratification, demulsification, or precipitation due to improper compatibility.

Technical Parameters

ParameterDataTest Method\/Standard
AppearancePale yellow pasteVisual inspection
TypeNonionic surfactant
Acute oral toxicity (rat)LD₅₀ > 5000 mg\/kg
Skin irritationNon-irritatingOECD 404 (rabbit)
Eye irritationNon-irritatingOECD 405 (rabbit)
Skin sensitizationNon-sensitizingOECD 406 (guinea pig)
Mutagenicity (Ames test)NegativeIn vitro bacterial reverse mutation test
Acute toxicity to fish (96h LC₅₀)> 100 mg\/L
BiodegradabilityReadily biodegradable (>60% BOD\/COD)OECD 301B

Application Recommendations

This product, as an efficient oil-in-water (O\/W) emulsifier, is widely used in industrial emulsification, textile printing and dyeing, pesticide formulations, metalworking fluids, daily chemical products, and emulsion polymerization. The dosage should be adjusted according to the specific application scenario:

  • Industrial emulsifier: Recommended addition amount is 5%~15% of the weight of the oil phase, used in conjunction with appropriate shear emulsification process.
  • Daily chemical solubilization: For solubilizing flavors and essential oils, the recommended ratio of EL-60 to the material to be solubilized is 2:1 to 3:1, effectively building a transparent and uniform product system.
  • Textile leveling: As a high-temperature leveling agent, the recommended dosage is 0.5%~2.0% (o.w.f) of the dye bath, and it can be used stably in acidic and alkaline baths.
  • Emulsion polymerization: As a nonionic emulsifier participating in the polymerization of acrylate and other systems, the recommended dosage is 2%~6% of the total monomer amount.

Since this product may increase in viscosity or solidify at low temperatures, it can be slowly heated and stirred evenly in a water bath below 40°C before use to restore fluidity before feeding. Direct heating at high temperatures is strictly prohibited to prevent structural damage.

Precautions

Personal protection: Although this product is low-toxicity and non-irritating, it is still recommended to wear chemical safety goggles, protective clothing, and chemical-resistant gloves during operation to avoid prolonged or repeated direct contact. After operation, thoroughly wash hands and exposed skin. Do not eat, drink, or smoke during operation.

Storage requirements: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse, keeping containers tightly closed. Keep away from heat sources, ignition sources, and strong oxidants, avoid direct sunlight, and the ambient temperature should not exceed 40°C to prevent drastic temperature changes. Implement the "first in, first out" principle and strictly prohibit mixing with food, beverages, and animal feed. The storage area should be equipped with spill containment materials and emergency eyewash and safety shower equipment.

Spill handling: For small spills, cover with inert absorbent materials such as sand, vermiculite, and collect in a dedicated container; for large spills, build dikes to contain and prevent entry into sewers or water bodies, and dispose of as chemical waste according to local regulations. Avoid generating dust or oil mist during cleaning.

Firefighting measures: Suitable extinguishing agents are water mist, alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, or carbon dioxide. In the event of a fire, irritating smoke such as carbon monoxide may be released. Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective equipment and collect firefighting wastewater to avoid environmental pollution.

Emergency first aid: In case of skin contact, immediately flush with plenty of water and soap; for eye contact, rinse continuously with running water or saline for at least 15 minutes, and seek medical attention immediately if irritation persists; after inhalation, quickly move to fresh air; if ingested, do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water and seek medical attention immediately.