Castor oil polyoxyethylene ether EL-90 is a low-toxicity nonionic surfactant with high safety under normal use conditions. However, personal protection should still be observed during handling, and standard requirements for storage, operation, and emergency response should be followed.
Detailed Description
Castor oil polyoxyethylene ether EL-90 (PEG-90 castor oil) is a nonionic surfactant produced by polymerization of castor oil with ethylene oxide. It is not classified as a hazardous chemical, poses no risk of flammability or explosion, exhibits extremely low acute oral toxicity (rat LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg), is non-irritating to the skin, and causes only slight reversible irritation to the eyes. The product remains stable across a wide pH range, possesses good resistance to hard water and electrolytes, and has excellent biodegradability, making it a green additive with low environmental burden.
Although the product itself has a high degree of safety, during actual use, operators should still establish standardized operating procedures. At low temperatures, the product may solidify or become turbid; this is a normal physical change. It should be slowly warmed within the recommended temperature range and stirred until homogeneous before use. Direct heating of the container with an open flame is strictly prohibited. The operating area should maintain good ventilation. After opening the container, it should be resealed as soon as possible to prevent prolonged exposure of the product to air.
Waste material generated after use must be handed over to a licensed professional waste treatment contractor for compliant disposal through high-temperature incineration or biological wastewater treatment facilities. Random discharge of the product or its dilutions into the natural environment or mixing with ordinary waste is strictly prohibited. During spill handling, containment measures should be taken to prevent the spill from entering drainage systems, soil, or any surface water bodies.
Technical Parameters
| Item | Specification |
|---|
| Product Type | Nonionic surfactant |
| Appearance | Pale yellow to yellow paste or viscous liquid |
| Acute Oral Toxicity | Rat LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg (low toxicity) |
| Skin Irritation | Non-irritating |
| Eye Irritation | Slight reversible irritation, recovering within 24 hours |
| Acute Fish Toxicity | 96h LC50 > 100 mg/L |
| Biodegradability | Biodegradable, does not persist or accumulate readily |
| Recommended Storage Temperature | 5°C to 40°C |
| GHS Classification | Non-hazardous chemical |
Application Recommendations
EL-90 performs excellently in the following application scenarios. It is recommended to adjust the dosage reasonably according to specific process requirements:
- Pesticide Formulations: Used as an emulsifying and solubilizing component in emulsifiable concentrates, microemulsions, and aqueous emulsions to help active ingredients disperse uniformly and enhance field efficacy.
- Textile and Chemical Fiber: Serves as a core component in fiber finishes, imparting good smoothness, cohesiveness, and antistatic properties to fibers; also applicable in pretreatment, dyeing, and finishing auxiliaries.
- Industrial Emulsification: Provides nucleating and stabilizing effects in emulsion polymerization (e.g., acrylic and vinyl acetate systems), suitable for formulations in metalworking fluids, leather auxiliaries, etc.
- Household and Personal Care Products: Used as a mild emulsifying and solubilizing component in creams, lotions, shampoos, and body washes to improve skin feel.
- Detergents: Enhances detergency and dispersion in heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents and hard-surface cleaners.
Precautions
- Personal Protection: It is recommended to wear nitrile rubber gloves and chemical safety goggles, along with long-sleeved work clothing during handling; under normal ventilation conditions, no special respiratory protection is required, but when working in confined spaces or applying heat, a particulate-filtering half-mask respirator should be worn.
- Low-Temperature Handling: If the product solidifies or thickens at low temperatures, use indirect heating (e.g., a warm water bath) to slowly melt and stir until uniform; direct open-flame heating is strictly prohibited.
- Storage Requirements: Use clean, dry, and well-sealed containers made of stainless steel, HDPE, or PP. Keep away from incompatible substances such as strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizers, and hypochlorites. Follow the first-in-first-out principle.
- Emergency Response: In case of eye contact, immediately flush with running water for at least 15 minutes, rolling the eyeballs. For skin contact, wash thoroughly with plenty of water and soap. If ingested, do not induce vomiting; seek medical attention immediately.
- Environmental Protection: Prevent undiluted bulk product from directly entering water bodies. For spills, absorb completely with non-flammable, high-absorbency materials (e.g., activated clay, universal absorbent pads) and dispose of in compliance with regulations.
- Firefighting Measures: The product is not classified as flammable, but it can burn at extremely high temperatures. Use water fog, alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, or CO₂ extinguishers. Firefighters should wear chemical protective clothing and self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus during firefighting.
