Lauric acid polyoxyethylene ether LAE-9 (CAS: 9004-81-3), chemical name Polyoxyethylene (9) Laurate (PEG-9 Laurate), molecular formula C₁₁H₂₃COO(C₂H₄O)nH (n≈9), molecular weight approximately 595. The raw material is derived from the addition reaction of lauric acid and ethylene oxide, belonging to the saturated fatty acid ester type nonionic surfactant, with monoester content ≥95%, diester content ≤5%, and free PEG ≤3%. The product appearance changes with temperature; at room temperature, it is a light yellow to yellow transparent liquid or paste, with a freezing point below -5°C, thus remaining flowable even at low temperatures.
| Parameter Item | Indicator\/Value | Test Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Nonionic Surfactant | — |
| CAS Number | 9004-81-3 | — |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₁H₂₃COO(C₂H₄O)nH, n≈9 | — |
| Molecular Weight | Approx. 595 | — |
| Appearance | Light yellow to yellow transparent liquid or paste | Room temperature (varies with temperature) |
| Freezing Point | < -5°C | — |
| Density | Approx. 1.03 g\/cm³ | 25°C |
| Refractive Index | Approx. 1.456 | 20°C |
| Flash Point | > 150°C | Closed cup method |
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0～7.0 | 25°C |
| pH Value (5% aqueous solution) | 5.0～7.0 | 25°C |
| Active Matter Content | ≥99% | — |
| Solid Content | ≥99% | — |
| Moisture Content | ≤1.0% | — |
| HLB Value | 13.6 | Griffin method |
| Cloud Point (1% aqueous solution) | > 100°C | 1% active matter aqueous solution |
| Surface Tension | Approx. 30 mN\/m | 1% aqueous solution, 25°C |
| Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) | Approx. 0.1 g\/L | 25°C |
| Kinematic Viscosity | Approx. 100～200 mm²\/s | 40°C |
| Low Shear Viscosity | Approx. 150 mPa·s | 25°C, low shear |
| Acid Value | ≤5.0 mg KOH\/g | — |
| Saponification Value | Approx. 90～100 mg KOH\/g | — |
| Hydroxyl Value | Approx. 90～100 mg KOH\/g | — |
| Iodine Value | ≤1.0 | — |
| Unsaturation | < 0.2 mol\/kg | Saturated product |
| Monoester Content | ≥95% | — |
| Diester Content | ≤5% | — |
| Free PEG | ≤3% | — |
| Foam Performance (Initial) | Approx. 80 mm | Ross-Miles foam meter, 0.5% solution, 40°C |
| Foam Performance (5 minutes) | Approx. 50 mm | Ross-Miles foam meter, 0.5% solution, 40°C |
| Penetration Power | > 300 seconds | Canvas sedimentation method, 1% solution, 25°C |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤10 mg\/kg | — |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤2 mg\/kg | — |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, ethanol and other polar solvents | — |
| Hygroscopicity | Hygroscopic | — |
| Chemical Stability | Stable at room temperature; ester bonds gradually hydrolyze under strong alkali | Avoid prolonged storage under strong acids, strong alkalis, and high temperature |
| Amine Value | None | — |
| Free Phosphoric Acid | None | — |
| Packaging Specifications | 50kg plastic drum \/ 200kg plastic drum \/ IBC tote | — |
Note: The above parameters are obtained from the product database of Guoli Chemical and are factory inspection indicators.
LAE-9 has an HLB value of 13.6, which falls within the ideal range for oil-in-water (O\/W) emulsifiers, making it particularly suitable for emulsification and solubilization in daily chemical products such as creams, lotions, shampoos, and body washes. In liquid detergents, a recommended addition amount of 2% to 8% can significantly enhance oil removal and wetting spreading performance. As an environmentally friendly emulsifier in pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, a recommended dosage of 5% to 15% can effectively improve the wetting and adhesion of the spray liquid on crop leaves. When used as a leveling agent in textile dyeing and printing, a working liquor concentration of 0.5% to 3% (on fabric weight) is recommended. In metalworking fluids, the recommended addition amount is 3% to 10%, with better results when used in combination with anionic surfactants.