Polyethylene glycol PEG-400 (CAS number: 25322-68-3) is a high molecular polymer formed by the stepwise addition polymerization of ethylene oxide with water or ethylene glycol. It appears as a colorless transparent viscous liquid. With its excellent nonionic properties, high-efficiency solubilization capability, superior wetting and dispersibility, as well as low toxicity and low irritation safety standards, PEG-400 has become an indispensable functional additive in cross-industry and multi-process systems.
In the pharmaceutical field, PEG-400 serves as an ointment base, suppository base, and drop pill carrier, significantly improving drug release and absorption effects; in liquid preparations, it acts as a solubilizer and stabilizer, effectively enhancing formulation clarity and bioavailability. In the daily chemical industry, as a high-performance moisturizer and lubricant, it is widely used in creams, lotions, shampoos, toothpastes, and other products, imparting a moist and smooth touch to the skin and improving spreadability.
In the industrial field, PEG-400 also has diverse uses: in the textile industry, it is used as an antistatic agent, softener, and leveling agent; in rubber and plastic processing, as a mold release agent and dispersant; in metalworking fluids, it provides excellent lubricity to extend tool life; in paints and inks, it promotes uniform pigment dispersion and adjusts film flexibility; in the paper industry, it improves paper softness and feel; in pesticide formulations, it acts as an emulsifier and wetting agent, enhancing the spreading and penetration ability of the spray liquid on plant leaves.
| Industry | Main Process/Use | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Industry | Ointment base, suppository base, drop pill carrier, solubilization in liquid preparations | Improves drug solubility and bioavailability, enhances formulation formability and stability |
| Daily Chemical Industry | Creams, lotions, shampoos, toothpastes, shaving products | Moisturizing, lubrication, viscosity adjustment, improves spreadability and skin feel |
| Textile Industry | Spinning oil, antistatic finishing, softening finishing, leveling | Reduces fiber-to-fiber friction, decreases static electricity, improves fabric hand feel and dyeing uniformity |
| Rubber and Plastic Processing | Mold release, filler dispersion, improved processing fluidity | Prevents mold sticking, promotes uniform filler dispersion, improves surface finish |
| Metalworking Fluids | Cutting fluids, quenching fluids, coolant components | Provides lubrication, reduces friction, extends tool life, improves wetting and cleaning performance |
| Paints and Inks | Pigment dispersion, plasticization, leveling adjustment | Prevents pigment settling and flocculation, adjusts film flexibility and leveling |
| Paper Industry | Softening finishing, anti-sticking treatment | Improves paper softness and feel, prevents sticking during pressing and drying |
| Pesticide Formulations | Emulsification, wetting, penetration enhancement | Reduces surface tension, improves spreading and penetration of spray liquid, enhances active ingredient absorption |
PEG-400 combines excellent compatibility and chemical stability, enabling stable compounding with anionic, cationic, and nonionic systems, and is compatible with various complex formulations. Therefore, it can be flexibly used as a multifunctional additive in formulation design. In processes requiring solubilization, moisturization, or dispersion improvement, it is recommended to add it appropriately based on the system characteristics, with the optimal amount usually determined through experiments.