Question

What are the storage conditions for polyethylene glycol PEG-400?

Answer
2026-05-17 官方文档 聚乙二醇PEG-400

Polyethylene glycol PEG-400 should be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse. It is recommended to control the storage temperature between 5°C and 30°C, away from heat sources and incompatible substances.

Detailed Explanation

Polyethylene glycol PEG-400 is a non-hazardous chemical, chemically stable at room temperature, but attention must be paid to environmental conditions during storage to ensure product quality. First, this product is highly hygroscopic, so the container must be kept tightly sealed, avoiding prolonged exposure to air to prevent moisture absorption, which can cause quality degradation, viscosity changes, or microbial growth.

Secondly, although PEG-400 has a high flash point (closed cup flash point about 238°C) and is not easily ignitable or explosive, it should still be kept away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames. The storage environment temperature should not be too high or too low; it is recommended to control it between 5°C and 30°C. Too low a temperature may increase product viscosity or even cause solidification, while too high a temperature may accelerate oxidative degradation.

In addition, PEG-400 should be stored separately from incompatible substances such as strong oxidizing agents and strong acids to avoid contact that could cause hazardous reactions. The warehouse should be kept dry and ventilated to prevent a damp environment from causing packaging corrosion or product moisture absorption and deterioration.

Summary of Storage Condition Points

Storage ElementSpecific Requirement
SealingThe container must be kept sealed to prevent moisture absorption
Temperature RangeRecommended to control between 5°C and 30°C
Environment ConditionsCool, dry, well-ventilated
Fire Source ManagementKeep away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames
Incompatible SubstancesStore separately from strong oxidizers and strong acids
Air QualityAvoid prolonged exposure to air

Application Recommendations

In industrial production and laboratory use, it is recommended to adopt the method of small packaging and batch usage to reduce the risk of moisture absorption from frequent opening of large containers. If not used up after opening, it should be sealed promptly and used as soon as possible. For crystallisation or increased viscosity caused by long-term storage at low temperatures, the product can be slowly warmed to 20°C-30°C before use and gently stirred until uniform; product performance can return to normal.

Precautions

  • Strictly prohibit mixed storage with strong oxidizers (such as peroxides, permanganates, etc.), which may cause violent reactions.
  • The storage area should be away from drains and sewers to prevent accidental leakage from contaminating water bodies (Water Hazard Class WGK: 1).
  • It is recommended to mark the opening date on the packaging and follow the "first-in, first-out" principle to avoid long-term accumulation.
  • In case of a small spill, cover and collect with an inert absorbent material (such as sand); for a large spill, construct a containment dike, transfer to a dedicated container, and dispose of in accordance with local regulations.