Lauric Acid Polyoxyethylene Ether LAE-4 (PEG-4 Laurate) is a nonionic surfactant. It appears as a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid, with strong lipophilicity (HLB value of about 9.0). It is dispersed rather than completely dissolved in water but has good solubility in oil phases and organic solvents. In practical formulation operations, it is generally pre-added to the oil phase component, heated to 40~60°C together with oils, waxes, or other oil-soluble raw materials, and stirred until uniformly dissolved. Then it is mixed and emulsified with the water phase to fully utilize its emulsifying and solubilizing capabilities.
Since the cloud point of this product is approximately 32°C (1% aqueous solution), attention should be paid to not exceeding the cloud point during operation in water-based systems; otherwise, the product may precipitate from the water phase, causing the system to become turbid and affecting emulsification or solubilization effects. In personal care products (such as creams and lotions), LAE-4 is often used in combination with high HLB emulsifiers (such as PEG-20 Stearate, Tween series, etc.) to build a stable emulsification system with a fine skin feel. In industrial cleaning and metalworking fluids, LAE-4 can be directly added to the base oil or water together with other auxiliaries according to the formula ratio, and stirred at room temperature for dispersion. The process is simple and convenient.
This product has low foam characteristics, making it especially suitable for industrial cleaning scenarios and metalworking fluid formulations where excessive foam should be avoided. Meanwhile, due to its high monoester content of over 98.0% and free alcohol content of ≤1.0%, its high purity positively contributes to the long-term stability and reproducibility of the formulation. It is recommended to store the product at 5~35°C before use. If it experiences low temperatures (melting point <-5°C, but low temperature may significantly increase viscosity), it can be returned to room temperature and stirred slightly evenly before normal use, without special preheating treatment.
| Parameter Item | Typical Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid | Intuitive judgment of product quality |
| Ionic Type | Nonionic | Good compatibility with anionic/cationic agents |
| HLB Value | Approximately 9.0 | Strong lipophilicity, suitable for W/O or compounded O/W |
| Cloud Point (1% Aqueous Solution) | Approximately 32°C | Exceeding this temperature may cause precipitation and turbidity |
| Solubility | Easily soluble in oil, dispersible in water | It is recommended to first add to the oil phase |
| pH Value (1% Aqueous Dispersion) | 5.0~7.0 | Nearly neutral, mild and non-irritating |
| Monoester Content | ≥98.0% | High purity of active ingredient |
| Active Substance Content | ≥99.0% | Almost entirely active ingredients |
| Foam Characteristics | Low foam | Suitable for industrial cleaning, metalworking |
| Acid Value | ≤5.0 mgKOH/g | Low free acid content |
| Saponification Value | 145~165 mgKOH/g | Characterizes ester bond content |
| Hydroxyl Value | 140~160 mgKOH/g | Contains free hydroxyl groups |
| Density (20°C) | Approximately 0.97 g/cm³ | Slightly lighter than water |
| Kinematic Viscosity (25°C) | Approximately 35 mm²/s | Good fluidity, easy to handle |
| Flash Point | >150°C | Not classified as flammable |
| Solidification Point/Melting Point | <-5°C | Good low-temperature fluidity |
| Water Content | ≤1.0% | Extremely low moisture |
| Surface Tension (25°C, near cmc) | Approximately 30 mN/m | Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database |
| Critical Micelle Concentration (cmc) | Approximately 30 mg/L | Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database |
Depending on the application field, the recommended usage methods and reference dosages for Lauric Acid Polyoxyethylene Ether LAE-4 are as follows (specific dosage needs to be determined through formulation experiments):