Question

How to use Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylate LAE-4? What is the recommended dosage?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 月桂酸聚氧乙烯醚LAE-4

How to use Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylate LAE-4? What is the recommended dosage?

Detailed Description

Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylate LAE-4 (PEG-4 Laurate) is a nonionic surfactant, appearing as a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid with an HLB value of approximately 9.0. It is an oil-soluble emulsifier that disperses in water. The basic operation method is: add it to the oil phase component in advance, heat to 40~60°C and stir evenly, then emulsify with the water phase. As the freezing point of this product is below -5°C, it maintains good fluidity even at low temperatures, making it convenient for direct use and weighing.

LAE-4 has the characteristics of acid resistance, alkali resistance, and hard water resistance, and can be used in a wide range of pH conditions and water quality environments. It has low foam, good chemical stability, and good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants. Therefore, it is often used in combination with other surfactants to achieve synergistic effects. For example, in personal care formulations, it is often paired with hydrophilic emulsifiers with higher HLB values (such as PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil) to adjust the overall HLB value of the system for optimal emulsification effects.

Operational precautions: This product may hydrolyze under strong acid or strong alkali conditions. It is recommended to control the system pH within the range of 5~9. Since the cloud point is approximately 32°C (1% aqueous solution), turbidity or phase separation may occur in high-temperature aqueous systems. It is recommended to control the process temperature during preparation or compound with other high cloud point surfactants to improve the temperature resistance of the system.

Technical Parameters

Parameter ItemValueRemarks
HLB Value9.0Oil-soluble emulsifier, dispersible in water
AppearanceColorless to light yellow transparent liquid
Active Content≥99.0%
Monoester Content≥98.0%Diester content ≤1.0%
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution)5.0~7.0Weakly acidic to neutral
Cloud Point (1% Aqueous Solution)Approx. 32°CTurbidity may occur above this temperature
SolubilityEasily soluble in oil, dispersible in water
Acid Value≤5.0 mgKOH/g
Saponification Value145~165 mgKOH/g
Hydroxyl Value140~160 mgKOH/g
Density (25°C)Approx. 0.97 g/cm³
Freezing Point<-5°CGood low-temperature fluidity
Flash Point>150°CNon-flammable
Foam CharacteristicsLow foam
Moisture Content≤1.0%

Application Recommendations

The Guoli Chemical product database does not currently include official recommended dosages for various application fields. The following are general reference dosages based on the HLB value (9.0) of this product and industry practical experience. The actual dosage needs to be determined through experiments based on the specific formulation system.

Application FieldReference Dosage (wt%)Key Usage Points
Personal Care (Creams/Lotions)2.0~5.0%Add to oil phase, heat with oil phase components at 70~75°C until melting, then emulsify
Shampoo/Shower Gel (Solubilization/Enrichment)0.5~2.0%As a fatliquoring agent, add to the system at the cooling stage (approx. 40°C)
Metalworking Fluids (Emulsifier)3.0~8.0%Mix with base oil to prepare emulsified oil concentrate; dilute to 5~10% working fluid before use
Pesticide Formulations (Emulsifier)5.0~12.0%Combine with other emulsifiers, add to oil phase or solvent and stir until dissolved
Industrial Hard Surface Cleaning1.0~5.0%Combine with anionic surfactants to enhance degreasing effect
Leather Fatliquoring Agent5.0~15.0%Use as a component of fatliquoring agent, mix with other oils and fats before use
Paints/Inks (Wetting/Dispersion)0.3~2.0%Add before grinding to aid pigment dispersion
Textile Auxiliaries (Antistatic/Softening)2.0~6.0%Prepare working fluid, treat fabric by dipping or padding process

Important Note: The above dosages are general reference values for industry formulations, not official recommended dosages from Guoli Chemical. In actual production, the optimal dosage should be determined through small-scale and pilot-scale experiments based on the specific formulation system, target performance, and process conditions. For detailed technical support on specific application formulations, it is recommended to contact the Guoli Chemical technical team for professional guidance.

Precautions

  • Pre-dissolve in Oil Phase: This product is an oil-soluble surfactant. It should be dissolved in the oil phase or solvent first before use; direct addition to the water phase is not recommended.
  • Temperature Control: The cloud point is approximately 32°C. In high-temperature aqueous systems (exceeding the cloud point), turbidity or phase separation may occur. Control the preparation temperature appropriately or compound with high cloud point emulsifiers.
  • Acidity/Alkalinity: Hydrolysis may occur under strong acid or strong alkali conditions. It is recommended to use at pH 5~9 to ensure optimal stability.
  • Synergistic Combination: Using HLB 9.0 alone may not be sufficient to form a stable O/W emulsion. It is recommended to combine with high HLB emulsifiers (such as PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil) to adjust the system HLB value.
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