Polyethylene glycol PEG-4000/6000 (CAS No.: 25322-68-3) is a white waxy solid or granule with a molecular weight range of 3400~6600. It is a non-ionic high-molecular polymer. Before use, it usually needs to be pretreated according to specific process requirements: in most application scenarios, it is recommended to heat the solid to 60~70°C to melt it completely before mixing with other components for optimal dispersion uniformity. This product is easily soluble in water, and can also be added directly to a hot water system while stirring to dissolve, forming an aqueous solution of the desired concentration.
When used as an ointment base or suppository base in the pharmaceutical industry, it is often mixed with low molecular weight polyethylene glycols such as PEG-400 or PEG-1500 in certain proportions to adjust the melting point and hardness of the base to meet different administration requirements. In the daily chemical industry, when used as a humectant in toothpaste, it is usually added directly to the paste formulation in solid form for grinding and mixing; in liquid formulations such as shampoo and cream, it is typically melted first and then added to the water phase with stirring. The specific dosage should be determined through experiments based on the actual process.
In industrial applications (such as textile lubricants, rubber mold release agents, paper coating lubricants, etc.), PEG-4000/6000 can be added directly as a solid or sprayed/coated in the form of an aqueous solution. In quenching fluid formulations, it is recommended to prepare it as an aqueous solution of a certain concentration and use it as a quenching medium, utilizing its inverse solubility characteristic (solubility decreases with increasing temperature) to form a uniform polymer film on the workpiece surface, thereby adjusting the cooling rate.
| Parameter Name | Indicative Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White waxy solid or granules |
| Molecular Weight | 3400~6600 |
| Melting Point | 50~63°C |
| Active Content | ≥99% |
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0~7.0 |
| HLB Value | Approximately 18.9~19.0 |
| Moisture Content | ≤1.0% |
| Hydroxyl Value | 8~16 mg KOH/g |
| Solubility | Easily soluble in water |
| Flash Point (Open Cup) | >240°C |
| Cloud Point | >100°C |
| Density | 1.20~1.21 g/cm³ |
Pharmaceutical Industry: When used as an ointment base, it is recommended to compound with low molecular weight PEG, with a typical dosage of 10%~80%; as a suppository base, melt by heating and then pour into molds; as a dropping pill carrier, heat to 70~80°C to melt, add the drug and stir evenly, then drop into the condensate liquid to form. The specific dosage and formulation proportions should be determined according to pharmacopoeia requirements and formulation process validation.
Daily Chemical Industry: In toothpaste, the recommended dosage is 3%~15%, which can replace part of the glycerin to reduce costs; in shampoo conditioners, the recommended dosage is 0.5%~3%, add to the water phase, heat to dissolve, and participate in homogenization and emulsification; in cream humectants, the recommended dosage is 2%~10%, completely dissolve in the water phase before emulsification. The precise dosage should be determined through small-scale trials based on the formulation system.
Textile Industry: As an antistatic lubricant, it is recommended to prepare a 5%~20% aqueous solution and apply it to the fiber surface by padding or spraying, with a dosage generally 0.3%~2% of the fiber weight.
Metalworking: For quenching fluid formulations, the recommended concentration is 5%~25%, adjusted according to the steel material and quenching process requirements; for cutting fluid lubricant components, the recommended addition amount is 2%~8%.
Rubber and Plastics: For mold release agents, prepare a 10%~30% aqueous solution and spray on the mold surface; as a lubricating dispersant in masterbatches, the recommended addition amount is 1%~5%.
Pesticide Formulations: As a carrier for water-dispersible granules, the recommended dosage is 5%~30%, mixed with other auxiliaries, then kneaded, granulated, and dried to obtain the finished product.
Note: The above dosage recommendations are general industrial reference ranges. The specific optimal dosage should be determined through experiments based on the actual formulation system and process conditions.