Question

How to use Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60? What is the recommended dosage?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 蓖麻油聚氧乙烯醚EL-60

The usage of Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 varies depending on the application field. The optimal dosage is usually determined through experiments based on the specific formulation system, with a general industry recommended dosage range of 0.5% to 10%.

Detailed Explanation

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-60 (PEG-60 Castor Oil) appears as a light yellow paste, semi-solid at room temperature. Before use, it is recommended to preheat the product to 40-50°C to soften it or make it flowable for accurate weighing and uniform dispersion. For aqueous systems, it can be pre-dispersed into a paste or liquid form using a small amount of warm water (about 40-60°C) before adding to the main formulation and stirring evenly to ensure complete dissolution and optimal performance.

This product is a nonionic surfactant with a high HLB value, making it a typical O/W (oil-in-water) emulsifier, exhibiting excellent emulsifying capability for mineral oils, animal and vegetable oils, and waxes. In practical formulation design, it can be used alone or combined with other low HLB emulsifiers according to HLB matching principles to cover a wider range of oil phases and achieve better emulsion stability.

Due to its excellent chemical stability, it can be used normally in acid, alkali, and hard water systems, and can be well compounded with nonionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants. Therefore, the formulation has high flexibility and adaptability. The specific dosage and compounding ratio need to be optimized and confirmed through small-scale experiments based on the oil phase type, required viscosity, transparency, and stability requirements of the target system.

Technical Parameters

Parameter NameDescription
AppearanceLight yellow paste
Ionic TypeNonionic surfactant
HLB ValueApproximately 14-16 (High HLB, O/W type emulsifier)
SolubilitySoluble in water, ethanol, and various organic solvents
CAS Number61791-12-6
CompatibilityGood compatibility with nonionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants
StabilityResistant to acid, alkali, and hard water

Application Recommendations

The following are general recommended dosage ranges for various application fields (Please note: The product database does not currently include precise dosage data; the following are industry experience reference values, and actual dosage should be verified through experiments):

Application FieldRecommended Dosage (Reference)Key Usage Points
Industrial Emulsifier (Emulsion polymerization, Industrial cleaners)2%-8%Premix with oil phase and add to water phase, or directly add to system with stirring for emulsification
Textile Dyeing and Printing (Leveling agent, Dispersant)1%-5% (based on working solution)Add directly to the dye bath, heat to process temperature before use
Pesticide Formulations (Emulsifiable concentrate, Emulsion in water, Microemulsion)3%-10%Premix with pesticide technical material and solvents, then emulsify with water phase
Metalworking Fluids (Cutting fluids, Grinding fluids)2%-8%Premix with base oil, rust inhibitors, etc., then dilute with water to working solution
Daily Chemical Products (Solubilizer, Emulsifier)0.5%-5%For solubilizing fragrance oils, it is recommended to premix EL-60 with fragrance in a ratio of 1:1 to 3:1
Emulsion Polymerization (Acrylate, Styrene-acrylic systems)1%-3% (based on total monomer weight)Can be used alone or compounded with anionic emulsifiers, added in pre-emulsification or at the bottom of the reactor

Precautions

  • Pre-treatment: The product is pasty at low temperatures. Preheat at 40-50°C to soften before use, avoiding direct open flame heating.
  • Dispersion Method: When adding to aqueous systems, stir thoroughly. High-speed dispersion or homogenization equipment is recommended to ensure emulsification effects and avoid "water-in-oil" inversion or demulsification.
  • Compounding Optimization: When compounded with low HLB emulsifiers (such as EL-10, EL-20, and other low EO castor oil series products), a wider emulsification range and better emulsion stability can be achieved.
  • Small-scale Verification: Formulation systems vary greatly. It is recommended to first conduct small-scale experiments to determine the optimal dosage before scaling up production.
  • Storage: Seal the container after use, store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and temperatures exceeding 40°C to prevent product degradation or separation.
  • Safety Protection: It is recommended to wear goggles and protective gloves during operation to avoid prolonged direct contact. In case of accidental eye contact, immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.