Question

What are the advantages of Polyethylene Glycol PEG-4000/6000 compared to other similar products?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 聚乙二醇PEG-4000/6000

The core advantages of Polyethylene Glycol PEG-4000/6000 lie in its high purity (≥99%), extremely low impurity residues, excellent chemical stability, and wide applicability across eight major industries including pharmaceuticals, daily chemicals, textiles, and metal processing. It is a nonionic high-molecular-weight polymer that combines high safety and multifunctionality.

Detailed Description

The Guoli Chemical Polyethylene Glycol PEG-4000/6000 (CAS No.: 25322-68-3) series belongs to high-molecular-weight nonionic polymers with a molecular weight range of 3400~6600. Compared with low-molecular-weight liquid PEG (such as PEG-200/400), PEG-4000/6000 is a white waxy solid with a melting point as high as 50~63°C, enabling unique functions such as solid excipient and hot-melt processing. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring specific melting point characteristics, such as pharmaceutical suppository bases, drip pill carriers, and rubber mold release agents.

From the technical specifications, the active content of PEG-4000/6000 is ≥99%, moisture content ≤1.0%, acid value ≤0.1, and iodine value ≤1. These stringent controls on key impurities ensure the reliability of the product in precision applications. Compared with some low-purity competitive products on the market, its extremely low ash content allows it to serve as a lubricating component in cutting fluids for precision metal processing without leaving residues on the workpiece surface. Additionally, its HLB value is as high as 18.9~19.0, and the cloud point is >100°C, endowing the product with excellent water solubility and compatibility, enabling good miscibility with various formulation systems.

In terms of safety, the acute oral toxicity LD50 of PEG-4000/6000 is greater than 5000 mg/kg, classifying it as a practically non-toxic substance, far superior to many similar functional additives with significant irritation or toxicity. It remains stable over a wide pH range and exhibits excellent tolerance to acids, bases, and hard water environments, which is notably superior to some ester or amide additives that are prone to hydrolysis under acidic or alkaline conditions. However, it should be noted that its fine dust, when mixed with air to a certain concentration, poses a risk of dust explosion (St1 level). Operating areas should maintain good ventilation and be equipped with dust collection systems.

Technical Parameters

Technical Index Value Description
Molecular Weight Range 3400~6600 High molecular weight solid, providing excellent formability
Ion Type Nonionic Widely compatible with various systems
HLB Value 18.9 / 19.0 Extremely high hydrophilicity, excellent water solubility
Active Content ≥99% High purity, extremely low impurities
Melting Point 50~63°C Suitable for hot-melt processing and solid excipient applications
Moisture ≤1.0% Low moisture content ensures storage stability
Acid Value ≤0.1 mgKOH/g Extremely low acidity, no interference with formulation system
Hydroxyl Value 8~16 mgKOH/g Controllable terminal hydroxyl content
Iodine Value ≤1 Nearly saturated, excellent oxidation stability
Density 1.20~1.21 g/cm³ Derived from database
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution) 5.0~7.0 Near neutral, wide application range
Cloud Point >100°C Remains water-soluble at high temperatures, good thermal stability
Flash Point (Open Cup) >240°C High flash point, good processing safety
Acute Oral Toxicity LD50 >5000 mg/kg Practically non-toxic, extremely high safety
Heavy Metal Content ≤10 ppm Complies with pharmaceutical and daily chemical standards
Arsenic Content ≤2 ppm Complies with pharmaceutical and daily chemical standards

Application Recommendations

Based on its unique technical characteristics, the recommended applications of PEG-4000/6000 in different industries are as follows:

  • Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as ointment base, suppository base, and drip pill carrier, leveraging its melting point of 50~63°C and excellent water solubility to achieve uniform drug release; as a solid dispersion carrier, it can significantly enhance the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
  • Daily Chemical Industry: Replaces glycerin as a humectant in toothpaste to prevent cracking; acts as a conditioning agent in shampoos and body washes to provide a smooth feel while reducing the irritation of surfactants.
  • Textile Industry: Serves as an efficient antistatic agent and lubricant, imparting excellent smoothness and cohesion to synthetic fibers, reducing friction and static generation.
  • Metal Processing: Used as the core component of water-based quenchants, leveraging its inverse solubility to regulate cooling rates; as a lubricant component in cutting fluids, suitable for precision machining due to its low ash properties.
  • Agriculture: Acts as a dispersing carrier for wettable powders and water-dispersible granules of pesticides, rapidly disintegrating and dispersing the active ingredients upon contact with water, significantly improving suspension rate.

Key Advantages Summary

Based on its technical parameters and application performance, the core advantages of PEG-4000/6000 over similar products are: High purity with low impurities (content ≥99%, acid value ≤0.1) ensures no residue in precision applications; High thermal stability and high cloud point (cloud point >100°C, flash point >240°C) performs excellently in high-temperature processing; High safety and low toxicity (LD50 >5000 mg/kg) makes it the preferred basic material in pharmaceutical and daily chemical fields; Extremely strong chemical stability maintains functional integrity over a wide pH range.

Precautions

  • Moisture Absorption Management: PEG-4000/6000 has a certain hygroscopicity. Keep the packaging sealed during storage and store in a cool, dry environment (10~30°C) to avoid moisture absorption and caking.
  • Dust Explosion Prevention: Fine dust can form explosive mixtures with air (St1 level). The operating area should be equipped with local exhaust ventilation and dust collection systems. All ignition sources are strictly prohibited, and equipment must be effectively grounded.
  • Incompatible Materials: Keep away from strong oxidizers (such as