Pingpingjia O-3 (AEO-3) is one of the products with the lowest degree of polymerization in the Pingpingjia series, containing only 3 ethylene oxide (EO) units. This molecular structure determines its HLB value of only 6.5 to 8.5, making it a typical lipophilic nonionic surfactant. In comparison, products such as Pingpingjia O-9 and O-10 usually have HLB values above 12, making them much more hydrophilic than O-3. This lipophilic property enables Pingpingjia O-3 to exhibit excellent emulsifying and dispersing capabilities in non-polar systems such as mineral oil, white oil, and alkane solvents, forming stable water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. In contrast, Pingpingjia products with high EO numbers are more suitable for oil-in-water (O/W) systems. Therefore, in formulations requiring W/O emulsification (such as pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, oil-based lubricants, and cosmetic ointments), Pingpingjia O-3 is an irreplaceable key functional additive.
Another significant advantage of Pingpingjia O-3 is its excellent wetting and penetrating properties as well as low-foam characteristics. Due to its relatively short molecular chain and low molecular weight (approximately 330), this product can rapidly reduce solid-liquid interfacial tension (with a surface tension of only about 28 to 30 mN/m for a 0.1% aqueous solution), exhibiting superior spreading and penetrating abilities in textile pretreatment, industrial degreasing cleaning, and pesticide formulations. Additionally, Pingpingjia O-3 is insoluble in water and has no typical cloud point; it is a low-foam surfactant, making it more operationally convenient and economical in processes requiring quick rinsing or where foam is undesirable, compared to high EO number products.
In terms of chemical stability and compatibility for compounding, Pingpingjia O-3 also performs excellently. It has good resistance to acids, alkalis, and hard water, remaining stable across a wide pH range without precipitation or phase separation. As a nonionic surfactant, Pingpingjia O-3 is widely compatible with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic additives, allowing flexible adjustments by formulation engineers. Furthermore, Guoli's Pingpingjia O-3 has an active content of ≥99% and a free alcohol content of ≤1.0%, offering high product purity and stable quality. The desired effect can be achieved with low dosage, providing a significant overall cost advantage.
| Parameter | Pingpingjia O-3 | Pingpingjia O-9 (Reference for Comparison) | Pingpingjia O-20 (Reference for Comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EO Number | 3 | 9 | 20 |
| HLB Value | 6.5～8.5 | Approximately 12～13 | Approximately 15～16 |
| Water Solubility | Insoluble in water, dispersible in water | Soluble in water | Easily soluble in water |
| Cloud Point | No typical cloud point | Has cloud point | Has cloud point |
| Foam Characteristics | Low foam | Medium foam | Relatively high |
| Emulsion System Type | W/O type (water-in-oil) | O/W type (oil-in-water) | O/W type (oil-in-water) |
| Active Content | ≥99% | ≥99% | ≥99% |
| Appearance (25℃) | Colorless to light yellow liquid or paste | Colorless transparent liquid to white paste | White to slightly yellow waxy solid |
| Density (25℃) | 0.92～0.94 g/cm³ | Not available | Not available |
| Surface Tension (0.1% aqueous solution, 25℃) | Approximately 28～30 mN/m | Not available | Not available |
Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database; HLB values for O-9 and O-20 are industry reference values.
Preferred Scenarios: When your formulation requires a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsification system, Pingpingjia O-3 is the best choice, especially suitable for creams with high oil phase content, pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, lubricating oils, and metalworking fluids. In industrial cleaning and textile pretreatment scenarios requiring low foam and high permeability, Pingpingjia O-3 also has advantages over high EO number products.
Recommended Dosage: As a W/O emulsifier, a recommended addition amount is 2% to 8% of the total formulation (specific amount depends on the system); as a penetrant or cleaning component, 0.5% to 3% is suggested to achieve significant effects.
Compounding Recommendation: Pingpingjia O-3 can be compounded with high HLB value Pingpingjia O series products (such as O-9, O-10, O-15) to obtain a wider range of emulsifying capabilities and better formulation stability by adjusting the ratio.