OP-21 Octylphenol Ethoxylate (CAS: 9036-19-5) is a white to light yellow paste or solid at room temperature (melting point approx. 45~50°C), with an HLB value as high as 16. It is readily soluble in water and belongs to the strongly hydrophilic non-ionic surfactant type. Due to its paste/solid form, direct addition may result in slow dissolution and uneven dispersion; pre-treatment before use is recommended: heat OP-21 to above 50°C to melt it into a flowable liquid, or pre-disperse it with 50~60°C warm water to form a slurry or solution before adding to the main formulation system. During the mixing process, avoid prolonged high-speed shearing to prevent excessive foaming (this product is medium to low foaming), and after thorough mixing, check the stability of the system.
The cloud point of OP-21 is ≥100°C, indicating that it maintains excellent surface activity and solubility in high-temperature aqueous systems under normal pressure, making it suitable for high-temperature process conditions. As a non-ionic surfactant, it has good chemical stability in acids, alkalis, and hard water, and can be used in combination with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants without compatibility issues.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| HLB Value | 16 |
| Active Content | ≥99% |
| Appearance | White to light yellow paste or solid |
| Melting Point | Approx. 45~50°C |
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0~7.0 |
| Cloud Point | ≥100°C |
| Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) | 2.5×10⁻⁴ mol/L |
| Surface Tension | Approx. 32 mN/m |
| Foaming Characteristics | Medium to low foam |
| Penetration Power (1% aqueous solution) | >180 s |
| Water Solubility | Readily soluble in water |
| Ionic Type | Non-ionic |
The following dosages are typical industrial references for various application fields (based on total formulation weight). The specific dosage should be optimized through experiments according to the actual system and process conditions:
| Application Field | Recommended Dosage (wt%) | Role | Usage Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textile Dyeing & Finishing (Scouring/Penetration) | 0.5~3.0 | Penetrating agent, Scouring agent, Leveling agent | Resistant to alkali and high temperature, suitable for desizing, scouring, bleaching and other pretreatment processes |
| Leather Processing (Degreasing/Fatting) | 0.5~2.0 | Degreasing aid, Fatting penetrating agent | Used in warm water systems to promote emulsification and removal of internal fat in leather |
| Paper/Waste Paper Deinking | 0.1~0.5 | Wetting dispersant | Stable under alkaline deinking conditions, accelerates ink detachment |
| Industrial & Household Detergents | 2.0~8.0 | Main active or co-active | Good emulsifying and removal effect on heavy grease, can be compounded with non-ionic/anionic surfactants |
| Pesticide EC/EW Formulations | 3.0~10.0 | Emulsifier | HLB 16 suitable for O/W emulsions, often used in combination with low HLB emulsifiers |
| Paint/Ink Pigment Pastes | 0.5~3.0 (based on pigment) | Pigment wetting dispersant | Helps shorten grinding time, improves paste flowability |
| Emulsion Polymerization | 1.0~4.0 (based on monomer) | Polymerization emulsifier | Ensures stable dispersion of monomer droplets and latex particles |
| Metalworking Fluids/Degreasers | 1.0~5.0 | Emulsifying cleaning component | Enhances emulsification and cleaning ability for mineral oils and animal/vegetable oils |
Note: The Guoli Chemical product database does not currently have official standard dosage data for each application scenario. The recommended dosages above are based on product characteristics such as HLB value and CMC value, as well as industry common practices. The optimal dosage in a specific formulation should be determined through experiments based on oil phase type, process conditions, and performance requirements.