Oleth-5 (Oleth-5) is a high-purity (active content ≥99%) nonionic surfactant produced by Guoli Chemical. It appears as a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid. Its HLB value is 9, indicating strong lipophilicity and easy solubility in oils, making it suitable for preparing water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion systems. In actual use, Oleth-5 is often used as a primary emulsifier or co-emulsifier in combination with other surfactants to achieve optimal emulsification effects and formulation stability.
Basic operation steps during use: According to the formula requirements, Oleth-5 can be directly added to the oil phase and stirred evenly, then mixed with the water phase for emulsification; it can also be slowly added to the water phase under stirring conditions. For formulations that require heating (such as cream-type cosmetics), it is recommended to pre-add Oleth-5 to the oil phase and heat to 70-80°C, then mix with the heated water phase for homogenization emulsification. For room temperature formulations (such as industrial cleaners), it can be directly stirred and dispersed at room temperature. Since the product has a cloud point of 55~65°C and excellent acid and alkali resistance, it can remain stable over a wide pH range.
The Guoli Chemical product database does not yet provide fixed recommended addition amounts for Oleth-5 in various application fields. The following are reference dosage ranges based on product characteristics and general industry practices. Specific amounts should be verified through formulation experiments:
| Application Field | Reference Addition Amount (wt%) | Usage Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics (Creams/Lotions) | 0.5% – 5.0% | Used as a W/O primary emulsifier or co-emulsifier, combined with emulsifiers having higher HLB values |
| Cosmetics (Facial Cleansers/Shampoos) | 0.3% – 2.0% | Used as a solubilizer to help evenly disperse active ingredients and fragrances |
| Industrial Liquid Cleaners | 1.0% – 10.0% | Acts as a wetting and emulsifying component, significantly reducing surface tension to enhance cleaning power |
| Textile Scouring Agents/Leveling Agents | 2.0% – 8.0% | Provides penetration and emulsification performance, promoting uniform dye uptake |
| Metalworking Fluids (Cutting Fluids/Emulsifying Oils) | 3.0% – 15.0% | Acts as an emulsifying and lubricating component, forming a stable oil-water emulsion system |
| Pesticide Formulations (Emulsifiable Concentrates/Microemulsions) | 2.0% – 10.0% | Helps the active ingredient to self-emulsify rapidly upon dilution, forming a uniform and stable emulsion |
With an HLB value of 9, Oleth-5 is a lipophilic emulsifier particularly suitable for preparing W/O emulsion systems. In actual formulation development, it is recommended to combine it with oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifiers having higher HLB values (such as Oleth-10, Oleth-20, and other high-addition-number Oleth series products) to achieve a wider emulsification range and more stable emulsification effects. For formula systems requiring HLB value adjustment, precise control can be achieved by varying the ratio of surfactants with different HLB values based on the target oil phase HLB value.
Since Oleth-5 has a surface tension of approximately 30 mN/m and a critical micelle concentration of about 40 mg/L, it can exert significant wetting and emulsifying effects at relatively low concentrations. It is recommended to start formulation experiments with lower addition amounts and gradually optimize to the best dosage, balancing performance and cost-effectiveness.