Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-80 (CAS No.: 61791-12-6) is a nonionic surfactant with a high HLB value (approx. 15.5–16.5), appearing as a light yellow paste to solid at room temperature. Due to its molecular structure containing approximately 80 ethylene oxide (EO) units, it has excellent water solubility and readily dissolves in water to form a clear solution. Depending on the specific process conditions, three basic methods can be selected: direct addition, pre-dissolution, or phase inversion emulsification.
This product is resistant to hard water, acids, and alkalis, and its performance remains stable in weakly acidic and alkaline media with low foaming, thus offering high process tolerance in practical operations. Its excellent compatibility allows it to synergize with nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants as well as most organic solvents, providing high formulation flexibility. Regardless of the system, it is recommended to conduct a lab trial before formal production to determine the optimal dosage and process conditions, ensuring the best balance of performance and cost.
| Application Area | Recommended Dosage | Usage Method |
|---|---|---|
| Emulsifier (O/W Type) | 2%–10% of oil phase mass | Can be added directly to the oil phase, then water is slowly added under stirring for phase inversion emulsification; or pre-prepared as a 20%–30% aqueous solution for later use. |
| Industrial Cleaning Agent Additive | 1%–5% of total formulation | Combined with ingredients such as dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, etc., can significantly enhance degreasing, detergency, and dispersing power. |
| Textile Auxiliary (Spin Finish) | 0.1%–0.5% of oil working solution | Added directly to the spin finish formulation as a smoothing component together with antistatic agents. |
| Textile Auxiliary (Leveling Agent) | 0.05%–0.2% relative to dyebath mass | Added to the dyebath during dyeing to promote even distribution of dyestuff and prevent color unevenness. |
| Pesticide Emulsifier | 5%–12% of emulsifiable concentrate formulation | When preparing mixed-solvent emulsifiable concentrates, often used in combination with anionic emulsifiers to achieve stable emulsion performance. |
| Metalworking Fluids | 1%–3% of total formulation | Added as an emulsifying and lubricating component to help improve emulsion stability and synergistic anti-rust effects. |
| Emulsion Polymerization | Depends on system | Added to the polymerization system as a nonionic emulsifier and protective colloid to maintain the dispersion stability of latex particles. |
| Household & Personal Care Products (Solubilization/Emulsification) | Depends on formulation design | Used for creating transparent solubilization systems for oil-soluble ingredients such as fragrances and plant essential oils, or for emulsifying O/W type creams and lotions. |
1. Direct Addition Method: Add EL-80 directly into the oil phase or the main formulation according to the recommended ratio, then stir evenly before use. This method is suitable for situations where sufficient stirring conditions are available in the formulation.
2. Pre-dissolution Method: Pre-dissolve EL-80 into a 20%–30% aqueous solution for later use. As the product is a paste to solid at room temperature, pre-dissolution greatly improves handling ease and dispersion uniformity. When preparing, it is recommended to use warm water (40–50°C) with continuous stirring until completely dissolved into a clear solution.
3. Phase Inversion Emulsification Method: Add EL-80 into the oil phase and mix thoroughly, then slowly add the water phase under continuous stirring. The system undergoes a transition from a W/O to an O/W emulsion, ultimately forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion. This method is suitable for preparing emulsified products.