Polyethylene glycol PEG-800 is a non-ionic water-soluble polymer obtained by polymerization of ethylene oxide. It appears as a white waxy solid. With its excellent dissolving capacity, outstanding emulsifying and wetting properties, wide chemical compatibility, and very low physiological toxicity, PEG-800 has become an indispensable basic raw material in many industrial and pharmaceutical formulations.
In the pharmaceutical industry, PEG-800 is primarily used as an ointment base, suppository base, pill excipient, and solubilizer. Leveraging its excellent biocompatibility and stable chemical properties, it can effectively regulate the drug release rate and improve the forming quality of preparations. In the personal care field, it is widely used as a humectant, emollient, and emulsion stabilizer, commonly found in skin creams, lotions, makeup removers, and cleansing products. It forms a protective film to reduce water evaporation while aiding the penetration and dispersion of active ingredients.
In industrial manufacturing, PEG-800 is used as a lubricant and mold release agent in metalworking fluids, wire drawing lubricants, rubber mold release agents, and antistatic agents. It reduces the friction coefficient, minimizes mold sticking, and extends equipment service life. In the textile industry, it serves as a sizing agent and softener, enhancing fiber processing performance and imparting a soft, smooth handfeel to fabrics. Additionally, in coatings and inks, it acts as a pigment dispersant and leveling aid; in papermaking and ceramic molding, it provides lubrication and plasticizing assistance, improving slurry fluidity and green body forming quality.
| Application Industry | Specific Process/Use | Function/Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Industry | Ointment base, suppository base, pill excipient, solubilizer | Improve drug stability and dissolution characteristics, regulate release rate |
| Personal Care & Cosmetics | Skin creams, lotions, facial cleansers, makeup removers | Moisturizing, emollient, emulsion stabilizing, providing mild skin feel |
| Industrial Manufacturing | Metalworking fluids, wire drawing lubricants, rubber mold release, antistatic | Reduce friction coefficient, minimize mold sticking, improve processing efficiency |
| Textile Industry | Sizing process, softening finishing | Enhance yarn cohesion and abrasion resistance, impart soft handfeel to fabric |
| Coatings & Inks | Pigment dispersion, leveling agent | Prevent pigment flocculation and sedimentation, optimize coating gloss and surface effect |
| Papermaking & Ceramic Molding | Slurry lubrication, green body forming aid | Improve slurry fluidity, reduce processing defects |
When used in pharmaceutical preparations, it is recommended to adjust the ratio of PEG-800 according to the specific type of preparation (ointment, suppository, pill), leveraging its good formability and drug release regulation ability to optimize the formulation. In personal care formulations, the recommended dosage of PEG-800 is typically between 1% and 10%, and it can be compounded with other emulsifiers to enhance product stability. In industrial lubrication applications, the appropriate method of use can be selected based on process temperature, as it maintains excellent lubrication performance from room temperature to medium temperatures.
In textile sizing processes, PEG-800 can be used in combination with non-ionic or anionic auxiliaries, recommended to be added at 3%-8% ratio in the size mixture. For coating dispersion applications, it is recommended to first dissolve PEG-800 in water or solvent, then gradually add pigments for grinding and dispersion to achieve the best anti-settling effect.