The usage method of PEG-1000/1500 varies depending on the application field. Usually, it needs to be heated and melted or directly dissolved in water/solvent according to its physical form (white waxy solid), and then added according to the formula proportion.
Detailed Explanation
PEG-1000/1500 (Polyethylene Glycol 1000/1500) is a high-purity nonionic polyethylene glycol produced by Guoli Chemical, with the appearance of a white waxy solid, solid at room temperature. Its melting point range is 37~54°C, which means that before use, it usually needs to be gently heated (recommended water bath heating to 50~60°C) to melt into a liquid state for easy accurate weighing and uniform dispersion. This product has excellent water solubility - it can be directly dissolved in warm or hot water under stirring, and is also easily soluble in various organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, chloroform, etc. These dissolution characteristics give it extremely high flexibility in formulation preparation.
According to the Guoli Chemical product database, the HLB value of PEG-1000/1500 is approximately 16, making it a nonionic surfactant with strong hydrophilicity, which determines its outstanding performance in O\/W (oil-in-water) emulsification systems, moisturizing formulations, and water-based coatings and inks. When used in different industries, the addition amount and operation method vary significantly: in cosmetic applications, the conventional dosage is recommended at 2%~10%; in the pharmaceutical industry as an ointment base, the dosage can be as high as 30%~60%; in industrial mold release applications, it is usually applied directly or sprayed as a 10%~30% aqueous solution. The specific dosage needs to be optimized through small-scale experiments to achieve the best balance of expected performance and cost.
Due to its certain hygroscopicity, PEG-1000/1500 should be used as soon as possible after opening. Unused product must be resealed and stored away from moisture. As a solid material, if it needs to be made into an aqueous solution, it is recommended to pre-add the calculated amount of deionized water in a clean stirring tank, heat to 40~50°C, slowly add PEG, and stir continuously until completely dissolved and the solution is clear and transparent. When compounding with other active ingredients, it can be added at the final stage or together with the aqueous phase, leveraging its excellent chemical stability to maintain performance over a wide pH range.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter Item | PEG-1000/1500 Typical Value | Description |
|---|
| Appearance | White waxy solid | Solid at room temperature |
| Molecular Weight | 1000~1500 | Nominal molecular weight range |
| Melting Point | 37~54°C | Needs gentle heating to melt before use |
| HLB Value | Approximately 16 | Strong hydrophilicity, suitable for O\/W systems |
| Hydroxyl Value | 75~112 mgKOH\/g | Reflects terminal hydroxyl content |
| Kinematic Viscosity (100°C) | 25~35 mm²\/s | Reference for fluidity in molten state |
| Density | 1.08~1.10 g\/cm³ | Reference density at 20°C |
| Content | ≥99% | Active ingredient content |
| pH (1% Aqueous Solution) | 4.5~7.5 | Near neutral |
| Water Content | ≤1.0% | Extremely low moisture content |
| Flash Point | >240°C | Safe to use, non-flammable |
| Solubility | Easily soluble in water | Miscible with water in any proportion |
Data source: Guoli Chemical Product Database
Application Recommendations
Pharmaceutical Industry Usage Method:
- Ointment Base: Mix PEG-1000 with PEG-400 or PEG-1500 in proportion, heat in a water bath to 60~65°C until completely melted, add the active drug under stirring, and cool to solidify to obtain a water-soluble ointment. PEG-1000/1500 is usually used as a consistency regulating component, accounting for about 40%~60%.
- Suppository Base: Heat PEG-1000/1500 to melt (about 55°C), add the drug and stir evenly, pour into the suppository mold while hot, cool and solidify, then remove. Leveraging its melting point close to body temperature (37~54°C), the suppository can quickly melt and release the drug in the body.
- Tablet Binder: Prepare a 5%~15% ethanol or aqueous solution, spray into the mixed materials during wet granulation, stir evenly, then sieve for granulation and dry.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Usage Method:
- Cream and Lotion Moisturizer: Add PEG-1000/1500 during the heating stage of the oil or water phase, recommended dosage 2%~8%, homogenize and emulsify together with the system. Its good water solubility and moisturizing ability provide a smooth skin feel for the formulation.
- Cleanser\/Shampoo Products: As a fatliquoring agent and thickening aid, the recommended dosage is 1%~5%, add at the cooling stage (40~50°C) and stir to dissolve.
- Transparent Product Formulations: The aqueous solution of PEG-1000/1500 is clear and transparent, suitable for transparent cleansing gels, toners, etc. The addition amount is usually no more than 5%.
Industrial Application Usage Method:
- Rubber Mold Release\/Separation: Heat PEG-1000/1500 to melt, then directly brush onto the mold or film surface, or prepare a 10%~20% aqueous solution and spray for use, forming a uniform separation film layer.
- Textile Sizing: Use in combination with starch size or PVA size. PEG dosage usually accounts for 5%~15% of the solid content of the size, improving the flexibility of the size film and the abrasion resistance of the yarn.
- Coating and Ink Additives: As a dispersant or plasticizer, recommended addition amount is 1%~5% of the total formula, add during the grinding or stirring stage to take advantage of its excellent dispersion performance to avoid pigment flocculation.
- Hot Melt Adhesive Formulation: As an open time regulator, the dosage is usually 5%~15%, blended and melted with other hot melt adhesive components.
Precautions
- When heating to melt, it is recommended to use a water bath, with the temperature not exceeding 80°C, to avoid local overheating causing discoloration or degradation of the product.
- PEG-1000/1500 is hygroscopic. After opening, seal immediately to avoid moisture absorption and caking. If moisture absorption has occurred, it can be dried at 40~50°C before use.
- Since the product is a waxy solid, for large-scale use, it is recommended to pre-melt or use slicing\/crushing equipment for pre-treatment to facilitate weighing and feeding.
- During operation, wear chemical safety goggles and protective gloves (such as nitrile rubber gloves) to avoid dust contact with skin and eyes. According to GHS classification, this product may cause skin irritation (H315) and eye irritation (H319).
- For specific safety operations, please refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by Guoli Chemical.
