Question

What are the physicochemical technical parameters of Oleyl Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether OV-5?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 油醇聚氧乙烯醚OV-5

Oleyl Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether OV-5 is a nonionic surfactant with excellent emulsifying and wetting properties. Its core physicochemical parameters cover key indicators such as appearance, HLB value, cloud point, hydroxyl value, and density, making it widely applicable in cosmetics, industrial cleaning, textiles, and pesticides.

Detailed Description

Oleyl Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether OV-5 (INCI name: Oleth-5, CAS number: 9004-98-2) is a high-quality nonionic surfactant produced by Guoli Chemical, synthesized from natural oleyl alcohol and 5 moles of ethylene oxide. The product appears as a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid, with a molecular formula of approximately C₁₈H₃₅O(C₂H₄O)₅H, an average molecular weight of about 490, and is easily soluble in oils and organic solvents. In formulations, it primarily serves as a W\/O emulsifier, co-emulsifier, and efficient wetting dispersion component.

This product exhibits excellent stability against acids, alkalis, and hard water, maintaining high performance even in complex chemical environments. Its unsaturated fatty chain structure (iodine value 50~65) gives the product good low-temperature fluidity (melting point <0°C). Combined with a moderate HLB value (approximately 9) and cloud point (55~65°C), it performs exceptionally well in applications such as emulsion polymerization, metalworking fluid emulsification, and self-emulsification of pesticide formulations. The flash point exceeds 150°C, it is stable during room temperature storage, and its low-foaming property is advantageous for spraying and circulation operations in industrial cleaning.

From a safety perspective, the product has low acute oral toxicity (LD50>2000 mg\/kg), but it is classified as skin irritant category 2 and eye irritant category 2. Protective gloves and goggles must be worn during handling. It is harmful to aquatic life (chronic category 3) and should not be discharged directly into natural water bodies. It is recommended to store at 5~35°C in a cool, dry place, away from strong oxidizers.

Technical Parameters

Parameter ItemTechnical Specification
Product NameOleyl Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether OV-5 \/ Oleth-5
CAS Number9004-98-2
Ionic TypeNonionic Surfactant
Appearance (25°C)Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid
Molecular StructureC₁₈H₃₅O(C₂H₄O)ₙH, n≈5
Average Molecular Weight~490
Active Content (%)≥99
Water Content (%)≤1.0
Free Alcohol (%)≤1
HLB Value9
Cloud Point (°C)55~65
Hydroxyl Value (mgKOH\/g)115~135
Iodine Value (gI₂\/100g)50~65
Acid Value (mgKOH\/g)≤0.5
Saponification Value (mgKOH\/g)≤1.0
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution)5.0~7.0
pH Value (5% Aqueous Solution)5.0~7.0
Density (g\/cm³, 25°C)0.95~0.98
Kinematic Viscosity (mm²\/s, 25°C)30~50
Refractive Index (nD²⁵)1.455~1.465
Surface Tension (mN\/m, 25°C)~30
Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC, mg\/L)About 40
Flash Point (°C, Closed Cup)>150
Melting Point (°C)<0
SolubilityEasily soluble in oil
Foam CharacteristicsLow foaming
Acid and Alkali ResistanceAlkali resistant
Heavy Metals (ppm)≤10
Arsenic (ppm)≤2

Data Source: Measured indicators from Guoli Chemical product database. Minor batch-to-batch variations may occur; please refer to the specific batch Certificate of Analysis (COA) for exact values.

Application Recommendations

Based on the above physicochemical parameters, the recommended usage of this product in different application fields is as follows:

  • Cosmetic Creams\/Lotions: As a W\/O emulsifier, recommended dosage 1%~5%, heat together with the oil phase to 70~80°C for emulsification. The HLB value of 9 is suitable for combination with co-emulsifiers having HLB values of 3~6, giving the formulation a delicate skin feel and excellent high- and low-temperature stability.
  • Industrial and Household Cleaners: Add at 0.5%~3% into the formulation, utilizing its low surface tension (~30 mN\/m) and low CMC (about 40 mg\/L) for rapid wetting and penetration of oils. The low-foaming property is especially suitable for high-pressure spraying and automatic circulation cleaning systems.
  • Textile Scouring Agents\/Leveling Agents: Recommended dosage 2%~8%, leveraging its excellent permeability and alkali resistance to maintain stable emulsifying and detergency effects in high-temperature alkaline scouring baths.
  • Metalworking Fluids: Uses as a primary emulsifier or co-emulsifier in cutting fluids and rust-preventive emulsified oils. Recommended dosage 3%~10%. The product is easily soluble in oil, helping to form a stable oil-in-water emulsified system while providing a low coefficient of friction and good lubricity.
  • Pesticide Emulsifiable Concentrates\/Emulsion in Water: As an emulsifying dispersing aid, recommended dosage 5%~12%. Upon dilution, it promotes self-emulsification of the active ingredient to form a uniform emulsion, enhancing the wetting and spreading performance of the spray liquid on target surfaces.

Precautions

  • During operation, always wear nitrile or neoprene protective gloves and sealed safety goggles to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes.
  • Ensure good ventilation in the workplace to avoid inhaling vapors or aerosols.
  • Store at temperatures between 5~35°C, away from strong oxidizers and open flames, and avoid exposure to high temperatures, sunlight, and freezing.
  • This product is harmful to aquatic life. Do not discharge untreated wastewater directly into sewers or natural water bodies; dispose according to local environmental regulations.
  • The product has a freezing point below 0°C and remains flowable at low winter temperatures. However, it is recommended to slightly warm up the product before use to ensure uniformity.