Polyethylene Glycol PEG-4000/6000 is a non-ionic high-molecular polymer produced by Guoli Chemical, appearing as a white to slightly yellow waxy solid or flakes. This product remains stable over a wide pH range, exhibiting excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and hard water environments. It has stable chemical properties and high safety (acute oral toxicity LD50 > 5000 mg/kg, classified as practically non-toxic). However, during use, three aspects require particular attention: moisture absorption control, dust explosion safety, and personal protection.
First, this product has strong hygroscopicity. If not sealed promptly after opening, it will quickly absorb moisture from the air, leading to caking or property changes, affecting subsequent use. Second, PEG-4000/6000 can easily generate fine dust during operations such as cutting, grinding, and sieving. Its dust explosion class is St1, and the minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of the dust cloud is > 400°C. If the dust reaches a certain concentration in the air and encounters an ignition source, there is a risk of explosion. Therefore, open flames, sparks, and high-temperature surfaces must be strictly prohibited in the operating area. All equipment must be reliably grounded and anti-static measures should be taken.
In terms of applications, PEG-4000/6000 has mature applications in multiple fields such as pharmaceutical ointment bases, suppository carriers, toothpaste humectants, and textile lubricants. Depending on the specific use, its pretreatment methods also need to be differentiated: in the pharmaceutical and daily chemical sectors, it usually requires pre-melting (melting point approx. 54-63°C) or dissolution before adding to the formulation; in the textile and paper industries, it is often used in the form of an aqueous solution. When preparing, it is recommended to slowly add to warm water under stirring to avoid clumping from a single large addition.
| Parameter Item | Value\/Description |
|---|---|
| Hazard Classification | Not classified as hazardous substance or mixture (GHS and EC No 1272\/2008) |
| Dust Explosion Class | St1 (Weak explosiveness) |
| Minimum Ignition Temperature (MIT) of Dust Cloud | > 400°C |
| Flash Point (Open Cup) | > 240°C |
| Acute Oral Toxicity LD50 (Rats) | > 5000 mg\/kg (Practically non-toxic) |
| Recommended Storage Temperature | 10-30°C, in a cool, dry, and ventilated place |
| Appearance | White to slightly yellow waxy solid or flakes |
Pharmaceutical Industry Use: When used as an ointment base or suppository carrier, it should be heated and melted in a clean environment (recommended water bath heating to 60-70°C) to avoid local overheating leading to molecular chain degradation. When used as a pill carrier for dripping pills, the melting temperature and the cooling liquid temperature must be precisely controlled to achieve the desired pill shape and drug release profile.
Daily Chemical Industry Use: In toothpaste formulations, the recommended addition amount is 3%-8%, partially replacing glycerin to play a moisturizing and anti-cracking role. In shampoos and body washes, the recommended dosage is 1%-5%, which can be directly added to the surfactant system under gentle stirring, effectively reducing system irritation and enhancing smoothness.
Textile and Industrial Lubrication: When used as an antistatic agent and lubricant for textiles, it is usually formulated into a 5%-20% aqueous solution. It is recommended to use deionized water and dissolve under stirring at a temperature of 40-50°C. The recommended addition amount in metalworking quenchants needs to be determined by debugging according to the cooling curve requirements, generally starting from 3%-10% for optimization.
Pesticide Formulations: As a dispersing carrier for wettable powders and water-dispersible granules, the recommended dosage is 5%-15% of the total weight of the formulation. Its good water solubility and dispersibility help the active ingredients rapidly disintegrate and uniformly suspend upon dilution.