Question

How to use Oleth-10? What is the recommended addition amount?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 油醇聚氧乙烯醚OV-10

Oleth-10, as a high-efficiency non-ionic O/W emulsifier with an HLB value of approximately 12.4, is typically used by directly adding it to the water phase or oil phase and stirring evenly. The database has no fixed addition amount parameter; the recommended dosage varies by application field, generally ranging from 0.5% to 15% of the total formula weight, and the optimal ratio needs to be determined through experimental optimization.

Detailed Explanation

Oleth-10 is a light yellow transparent liquid that is easily soluble in water, with a cloud point of 65~80°C and a surface tension of 28~32 mN/m. Due to its strong hydrophilicity (HLB about 12.4), it is recommended to add it to the water phase for dissolution and dispersion in formulations. Alternatively, depending on process requirements, it can be heated with the oil phase to 40~60°C before mixing and emulsification. This product disperses well in water at room temperature, and heating helps improve dissolution speed and emulsification uniformity.

In practical operation, it is recommended to slowly add this product to the main phase of the formulation under stirring conditions, using medium to high-speed stirring (500~1500 rpm) for 10~30 minutes until the system is uniform and transparent or forms a stable emulsion. For high-viscosity products like creams, a homogenization emulsification process is recommended to achieve finer droplet sizes and better long-term stability. This product is chemically stable and maintains activity in acidic, alkaline, and hard water conditions, but should be kept away from strong oxidizing agents.

Recommended Dosage by Application Field

The following addition amounts are general industrial reference ranges (Data source: industry application experience, Guoli Chemical Database does not have these specific values), and it is recommended to start with small dosages and optimize stepwise:

Application FieldSpecific UseRecommended Addition Amount (% of total formula weight)
Personal CareCreams/Lotions (O/W primary emulsifier)1.0%~5.0%
Personal CareCleansing Oils/Cleansing Waters3.0%~8.0%
Personal CareShower Gels/Cleansing Products (solubilization and refatting)1.0%~4.0%
Household & Industrial CleaningHard Surface Cleaners/Fabric Detergents1.0%~5.0%
Textile Dyeing & PrintingHigh-Temperature Leveling Agents0.5~3.0 g/L (working solution)
Agrochemical FormulationsEmulsion in Water (EW)/Microemulsion (ME)3.0%~8.0%
Metalworking FluidsEmulsifiable/Semi-Synthetic Cutting Fluids5.0%~15.0%
Leather ProcessingDegreasing Agents/Fatting Agent Components0.5%~2.0%

Application Recommendations

Personal Care: In O/W creams and lotions, OV-10 can be used alone or compounded with low-HLB emulsifiers (such as OV-2, OV-5, etc.) to achieve a wider emulsification range and a denser interfacial film. For makeup remover products, leveraging its excellent solubilization ability and mildness, it can provide a good "wet-hand makeup removal" experience. It is recommended to be used with thickeners and stabilizers like Carbomer or Xanthan Gum to further improve the long-term stability of the emulsion.

Industrial Formulations: In metalworking fluids and agrochemical formulations, OV-10 not only provides excellent emulsifying properties but also functions in boundary lubrication and foliar spreading. It is recommended to compound it with anionic surfactants (such as sulfonates) to form a synergistic composite emulsification system, reducing the total surfactant dosage while improving emulsion stability.

Precautions

  • Safety Warning: This product is classified under GHS as Warning (GHS07), causing skin irritation (H315) and serious eye irritation (H319). Wear nitrile rubber gloves, protective goggles, and protective clothing during operation, and thoroughly wash hands after work.
  • Storage Conditions: Store sealed in a cool, dry place at 5°C to 35°C, avoiding freezing and high temperature exposure. Use stainless steel or polyethylene containers for storage.
  • Addition Sequence: As an O/W emulsifier, it should preferentially dissolve in the water phase; if the oil phase content in the formulation is high (>30%), the emulsifier-in-oil method can be adopted, first mixing this product with the oil phase and then slowly adding the water phase under stirring to promote phase inversion emulsification.
  • Compatibility: Keep away from strong oxidizing agents; generally compatible with most anionic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactants; in high-concentration electrolyte systems, a compatibility test is recommended in advance.
  • pH Range: The pH of a 1% aqueous solution is 5.0~7.0. It remains stable under both acidic and alkaline conditions, with a wide applicable pH range.