Lauric Acid Polyoxyethylene Ether LAE-9 (PEG-9 Laurate) is a nonionic surfactant with good emulsifying, solubilizing, wetting, and dispersing capabilities. Its usage is not "direct use," but rather as a functional additive compounded with other components according to the formulation requirements of different industries. The specific usage methods and operational points are introduced below by field.
Before use, it is recommended to conduct small-scale tests to determine the optimal addition amount and process conditions. LAE-9 is usually liquid or paste at room temperature. If solidification or stratification occurs due to low temperature, it can be slowly preheated at 20-40°C and stirred evenly before use without affecting product performance.
As O/W emulsifier: In products such as creams and lotions, LAE-9 is often used in combination with auxiliary emulsifiers like fatty alcohols. It is recommended to add LAE-9 to the oil phase, heat to 70-75°C to fully dissolve, then slowly add the oil phase to the water phase for homogenization emulsification to form a stable oil-in-water system. The reference dosage is generally 1%-5% of the total formulation weight.
As solubilizer: In transparent water-based products such as toners and shampoos, mix LAE-9 with the fragrance or oily components to be solubilized in a ratio (usually fragrance to solubilizer ratio is 1:1 to 1:3) in advance, then slowly add to the water phase with stirring to obtain a clear and transparent product.
LAE-9 can be directly added to liquid detergent formulations as a detergency and wetting component. It is recommended to dissolve LAE-9 in water under stirring conditions, then add other surfactants and auxiliaries and mix evenly. The reference dosage is 2%-8% of the total formulation weight, and can be appropriately increased to 5%-10% in industrial heavy-duty oil degreasing formulations. Suitable for products such as laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, and multi-purpose hard surface cleaners.
As leveling agent: Add directly to the dye bath at a reference dosage of 0.5%-2% (o.w.f) of the fabric weight, adding simultaneously with the dye to ensure uniform dye uptake and avoid uneven coloration and color difference.
As softener and antistatic agent: Used in the finishing process, usually prepared as a 1%-3% working solution and applied to the fabric by padding or impregnation.
In emulsifiable concentrate and microemulsion formulations of pesticides, LAE-9 is mixed with the technical pesticide and solvent as an emulsifier. Typically, LAE-9 is dissolved together with the technical pesticide (generally 5%-15% depending on the nature of the technical pesticide) in the solvent, and stirred evenly to form a homogeneous transparent liquid. Before use, it is diluted with water in proportion and can automatically emulsify into a stable emulsion for field spraying.
In cutting fluid and grinding fluid formulations, LAE-9 is used as a wetting and emulsifying auxiliary at a reference dosage of 3%-8% of the concentrate formulation. It is recommended to first mix LAE-9 with the base oil, then add other functional additives and stir evenly, and finally dilute with water to form a working solution for use.
As a key component of fatliquoring agents, LAE-9 helps distribute oils evenly in leather fibers. It is usually compounded with natural or synthetic oils at an amount of 5%-15% of the total fatliquor formulation, and applied evenly to leather through a drum during the fatliquoring process.