Question

How to use emulsifier S-185/O-5? What is the recommended dosage?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 乳化剂S-185/O-5

The usage of emulsifier S-185/O-5 needs to be determined based on the specific application area. The general recommended dosage is 1% to 10% of the total formulation, and the specific amount should be optimized through experiments.

Detailed Explanation

Emulsifier S-185/O-5 (fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, CAS: 68439-49-6) belongs to nonionic surfactants with an HLB value as high as 16-17. It has strong hydrophilicity and is easily soluble in water, capable of quickly dispersing and dissolving in water. The product is a white to light yellow paste at room temperature (melting point approximately 30-35°C). It is recommended to preheat and melt it with warm water (40-50°C) or stir to dissolve before adding to the formulation system to ensure uniform dispersion and fully exert its emulsifying and solubilizing effects.

This product has an active matter content of ≥99%, excellent chemical stability, resistance to acids, alkalis, and hard water, and good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants. It can be used in combination with other surfactants for synergistic effects or used alone as a high-efficiency emulsifier directly added to the oil phase or water phase. In actual production, it is usually added to the water phase, stirred to dissolve, and then mixed with the oil phase for emulsification. It can also be added as a stabilizing component during the later stage of formulation.

Since the product has certain hygroscopicity and is irritating to skin and eyes (Category 2), protective gloves and goggles should be worn during operation, and it should be handled in a well-ventilated environment to avoid prolonged skin contact or inhalation of vapors/mists. The opened product should be used as soon as possible, and the remaining material should be resealed and stored at a temperature of 5-40°C, avoiding direct sunlight.

Technical Parameters

ParameterValue
Ionic TypeNonionic
AppearanceWhite to light yellow paste
HLB Value16-17
Active Matter Content≥99%
Melting PointApprox. 30-35°C
pH (1% aqueous solution)5.0-7.0
Cloud Point (°C)>100
Moisture≤1.0%
Surface Tension (0.1% aqueous solution, 25°C)Approx. 30-35 mN/m
Solubility in WaterEasily soluble
Foaming PropertiesLow to moderate

* The above data comes from the Guoli Chemical Product Database.

Application Recommendations — Reference Dosages by Field

The database does not contain precise recommended dosages of emulsifier S-185/O-5 for each application field. The following are general reference dosages based on the product's HLB value (16-17) and industry practice. The optimal dosage should be determined through experiments according to the actual formulation system and process conditions:

Application FieldRecommended Dosage (% of total formulation)Usage Instructions
Pesticide Emulsifiable Concentrate/Emulsion in Water/Microemulsion3%~8%Used as an emulsifier in combination with other nonionic/anionic surfactants, added to the oil phase or water phase and stirred evenly
Industrial Hard Surface Cleaners1%~5%Directly added to the water phase to dissolve; combined with alkaline additives and chelating agents to enhance degreasing and deoiling effects
Metalworking Fluids (Emulsifiable Oils)5%~15% (of concentrate)Used as the main emulsifier, combined with anionic emulsifiers such as sodium petroleum sulfonate, dissolved in base oil with slow stirring
Textile Printing and Dyeing Auxiliaries (Scouring Agents, Leveling Agents)2%~8%Combined with other surfactants and added to the working solution as a penetrating, emulsifying, and dispersing component
Leather Degreasing/Fatliquoring Agents2%~6%In degreasing: directly added to the water phase; in fatliquoring: pre-mixed with oils and fats before emulsification and dispersion
Paints and Inks Dispersion0.5%~3% (based on pigment/resin weight)Added during the grinding stage to promote pigment wetting and dispersion, or added during the letdown stage to stabilize the emulsion system

* The above table provides general industry reference values, not precise data from the Guoli Chemical product database. Actual dosage should be verified through experiments.

Precautions

  • Preheating Treatment: The product has a melting point of approx. 30-35°C. At low temperatures, it appears as a paste or solid. Before use, it is recommended to heat and soften it in a 40-50°C water bath. Do not heat directly with open flames or high-temperature steam to avoid damaging the product structure.
  • Dissolution Order: Due to its high HLB value (16-17) and strong hydrophilicity, it is recommended to first dissolve this product in the water phase with thorough stirring, then add the oil phase for emulsification to obtain a more stable emulsion system.
  • Combination for Synergy: Its emulsifying ability is already excellent when used alone. If combined with oil-soluble emulsifiers with low HLB values (such as Span series, monoglycerides, etc.), the blended HLB value can be adjusted to match the emulsification requirements of different oil phases, further improving emulsion stability.
  • Safety Protection: Protective gloves and goggles must be worn during operation to avoid direct skin and eye contact. In case of accidental contact, immediately rinse with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists, seek medical attention promptly.
  • Environmental Handling: This product is toxic to aquatic life (Category 2). Waste liquid containing this product must not be discharged directly into water bodies or soil. It should be collected and disposed of by qualified organizations in accordance with local environmental regulations.
  • Compatibility Testing: When used in formulations containing strong electrolytes or high concentrations of acids or alkalis, it is recommended to conduct small-scale compatibility and stability tests first to ensure no layering, turbidity, or precipitation before scale-up production.