Emulsifier MOA-3B (fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene (3) ether, also known as AEO-3/Laureth-3) is a nonionic surfactant produced by Haian Guoli Chemical Co., Ltd. It appears as a colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid with an active matter content of ≥99% and high purity. Its HLB value is approximately 6-7, classifying it as a low-HLB nonionic emulsifier that is easily soluble in oils and organic solvents and dispersible in water. This property makes it particularly suitable for preparing water-in-oil emulsions and various oil-soluble system formulations.
With its excellent emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, and solubilizing capabilities, as well as outstanding acid-base stability and hard water tolerance, emulsifier MOA-3B plays a key auxiliary role in multiple industrial fields. It effectively reduces interfacial tension in different formulation systems, promotes uniform dispersion of components, and significantly enhances the performance stability and application effects of end products.
1. Pesticide Formulations — Emulsifiable Concentrate Emulsifier
As the core emulsifying component in pesticide emulsifiable concentrate formulations, MOA-3B enables the pesticide active ingredient to rapidly self-emulsify upon dilution, forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion. This ensures uniform spraying of the liquid and improves field efficacy. This is one of its most typical applications.
2. Chemical Fiber Industry — Spin Finish Component
In synthetic fiber spin finishes, it serves as an emulsifier, lubricant, and binder, reducing friction between fibers and metal parts, minimizing static buildup, improving fiber cohesion and spinnability, and ensuring a smooth spinning process.
3. Textile Dyeing and Printing — Leveling Agent and Antistatic Agent
Used in fabric pretreatment and dyeing processes, it promotes even dye uptake, preventing color spots and streaks. At the same time, it imparts antistatic properties to fiber surfaces, improving the hand feel of finished products and processing smoothness.
4. Industrial Demolding — Mold Release Lubricant
During the molding of polymer materials, it is applied to the mold surface to form a release film, effectively reducing adhesion between the product and the mold, enabling clean demolding. It also provides lubrication to protect the mold and extend its service life.
5. Emulsion Polymerization — Polymerization Stabilizer
In emulsion polymerization reactions, it provides micellar nucleation sites and stabilizes latex particles, preventing gelation or demulsification during polymerization, controlling particle size distribution, and ensuring the storage stability of the latex product.
6. Oil-Soluble Systems — Dispersant
In oil-based or solvent-based formulations, it promotes the uniform dispersion of solid particles, pigments, or active ingredients, preventing agglomeration and sedimentation, maintaining system uniformity, and improving the performance and shelf life of the product.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid |
| Active matter content | ≥99% |
| HLB value | 6~7 |
| Hydroxyl value | 160~175 mgKOH/g |
| pH value (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0~7.0 |
| Flash point (open cup) | ≥150℃ |
| Density (20℃) | 0.92~0.93 g/cm³ |
| Water content | ≤1.0% |
In practical formulation applications, it is recommended to determine the dosage of MOA-3B based on the type of target system and the required HLB value. When used as a water-in-oil emulsifier, it often works best in combination with other high-HLB emulsifiers. In pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, the recommended dosage is typically 5% to 15% of the active ingredient content, with specific amounts optimized through compatibility experiments. When used in oil-soluble dispersion systems, it can achieve full dispersion and stabilization through stirring or homogenization processes.