MOA-12 (Alcohol Ethoxylate-12) is a highly hydrophilic nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of 14.5. It is readily soluble in water and appears as a paste to viscous liquid at room temperature. The core of its usage method is to directly add it to the aqueous phase with stirring for dissolution, or to compound it with other surfactants and auxiliaries according to different application scenarios to exert its functions such as wetting, emulsification, and detergency.
In actual production operations, it is recommended to pre-mix MOA-12 with an appropriate amount of water (cold or warm water is acceptable; its cloud point is as high as 90~95°C, and it is completely water-soluble at room temperature) and stir evenly to form a uniform solution before adding other components in the formulation. This can avoid uneven dispersion caused by local high concentration. Since the product may solidify or become viscous at low temperatures (15~20°C), if stored at low temperatures, the packaging barrel can be warmed to 20~35°C before use, or slowly thawed and stirred until the fluid is uniform before use; this does not affect the performance.
The following are the common operation methods and recommended addition amounts for typical application areas (the specific formulation needs to be determined through small-scale tests based on actual raw materials and process):
Textile Scouring/Detergency: Prepare a working solution of 0.5~2 g/L, treat the fabric at 40~80°C, and can be compounded with nonionic/anionic auxiliaries.
Liquid Detergent: At 1~5% in the formulation, add MOA-12 to water with stirring to dissolve, then sequentially add other surfactants such as AES and sulfonic acid, and finally adjust pH and viscosity.
Leather Degreasing: Prepare an aqueous solution of 1~3 g/L, rotate or soak the hide at 30~45°C, and adjust concentration and time according to the fat content.
Pesticide Emulsification: At 5~10% in the mixed oil phase of technical material and solvent, dissolve MOA-12 in the oil phase, then self-emulsify when diluted with water to form a stable emulsion.
Cosmetics: At 0.5~3% in cream and emulsion formulations, as a co-emulsifier or solubilizer, it can be added to the water phase and dissolved by heating (usually heated to 70~80°C) before emulsification, used synergistically with other emulsifiers.
Metal Cleaning: At 0.5~3% in the working solution, use spraying or immersion cleaning at room temperature or with heating (40~60°C), can be combined with alkaline auxiliaries to enhance oil removal.
| Parameter Name | Value | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White to slightly yellow paste/viscous liquid | —— |
| Ionic Type | Nonionic | —— |
| HLB Value | 14.5 | Strong hydrophilicity, suitable for O/W emulsification |
| Cloud Point (1% aqueous solution) | 90~95°C | Completely water-soluble at room temperature |
| pH (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0~7.0 | Nearly neutral |
| Active Content | ≥99% | —— |
| Penetration Power (0.1%, canvas sinking method) | >300 seconds | Good wetting and penetration performance |
| Surface Tension (0.1%, 25°C) | 28~32 mN/m | —— |
| Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC, 25°C) | 0.09 mmol/L | Micelles can form at low concentrations |
| Foam Characteristics | Moderate foam | —— |
| Melting Point Range | 15~20°C | May solidify at low temperature |
| Storage Temperature | 5~40°C | —— |
Formulation Compatibility: MOA-12 is nonionic and compatible with anionic, cationic, amphoteric surfactants, and most auxiliaries. It has excellent resistance to acid, alkali, and hard water, remaining stable in acidic or alkaline formulations without precipitating due to calcium or magnesium ions.
Temperature Effect: Although the cloud point of MOA-12 is as high as 90~95°C, it remains completely water-soluble at room temperature and conventional hot wash temperatures (40~80°C). However, the surface activity will slightly decrease near the cloud point. If used in high-temperature systems, it is recommended to verify the effect in advance or pair it with more heat-resistant auxiliaries. After freezing, slow thawing can restore performance.
Recommended Dosage: The dosages given for the above scenarios are only conventional industry reference values. The optimal dosage needs to be determined through small-scale tests based on the specific formulation, type of soiling, water hardness, and other factors. Generally, it is recommended to start with a lower concentration and gradually increase until the performance requirements are met.