Question

What are the physicochemical technical parameters of Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 蓖麻油聚氧乙烯醚EL-60

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 is a nonionic surfactant based on natural castor oil, with an HLB value of approximately 14.5, easily soluble in water, and possesses excellent emulsifying, dispersing, and solubilizing capabilities.

Detailed Description

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 (CAS No.: 61791-12-6) belongs to the category of nonionic surfactants. Its appearance is a pale yellow to yellow viscous liquid or paste. This product is chemically stable, not easily hydrolyzed, and exhibits good alkali resistance, maintaining stable performance in acidic, alkaline, and hard water systems. Its foam characteristic is low foam, making it suitable for formulations where foam generation needs to be suppressed.

The core advantage of this product lies in its efficient emulsifying and dispersing ability, which can significantly reduce the oil-water interfacial tension and effectively emulsify organic phases such as mineral oils, animal and vegetable oils. Additionally, it has extremely low irritation to human skin and eyes, belonging to the practically non-toxic level, and is rapidly biodegradable with excellent environmental compatibility.

Technical Parameters

ItemTechnical Index
AppearancePale yellow to yellow viscous liquid or paste
Ionic TypeNonionic
Active Content (Solid Content)≥99%
HLB Value14.5
Moisture Content≤0.5%
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution)5.0-7.0
pH Value (5% Aqueous Solution)5.0-7.0
Acid Value≤1.0 mgKOH/g
Saponification Value45~55 mgKOH/g
Hydroxyl Value40~50 mgKOH/g
Iodine Value~22 gI₂/100g
Cloud Point (1% Aqueous Solution)≥90°C
Solidification PointApprox. 5-10°C
Density1.05~1.07 g/cm³
Kinematic Viscosity (40°C)200-400 mm²/s
Low Shear Viscosity (25°C)1000-5000 mPa·s
Surface Tension (0.1% Solution, 25°C)Approx. 42 mN/m
Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC)Approx. 0.03 g/L (25°C)
Refractive Index (25°C)1.470-1.475
Flash Point>200°C
SolubilityEasily soluble in water, ethanol, ether, and other organic solvents
Foam CharacteristicLow foam
HygroscopicityHygroscopic
Chemical StabilityStable, not easily hydrolyzed
Alkali ResistanceAlkali-resistant, stable under alkaline conditions
Heavy Metals (as Pb)≤10 mg/kg
Arsenic (As)≤2 mg/kg

Application Suggestions

With its hydrophilic characteristic of HLB value 14.5, Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 is particularly suitable as an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier. In metalworking fluid formulations, it is recommended for formulating emulsified cutting fluids and grinding fluids, providing synergistic effects of cooling, lubrication, and rust prevention. In textile printing and dyeing, it can be used as a high-temperature leveling agent and dispersant. In daily chemical products, it is commonly used for solubilization and emulsification in transparent shampoos, body washes, and makeup removers. The recommended dosage needs to be determined through experiments based on the oil loading of the specific formulation.

Precautions

  • This product has certain hygroscopicity. After opening, it should be sealed and stored immediately to avoid moisture absorption.
  • The solidification point is approximately 5-10°C. Solidification or crystallization may occur under low-temperature environments, which is normal. After slowly warming to room temperature and stirring evenly, it does not affect usage.
  • The storage environment temperature is recommended not to exceed 40°C, and it should be kept away from incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers.
  • For detailed safe handling, first aid measures, and leakage emergency treatment methods, please refer to the product safety data sheet.