Question

What are the main industries and processes where Polyethylene Glycol PEG-800 is used?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 聚乙二醇PEG-800

Polyethylene Glycol PEG-800 is widely used in six major industries including pharmaceutical preparations, personal care products, industrial manufacturing, textiles, coatings and inks, as well as papermaking and ceramics, serving key process roles as excipients, humectants, lubricants, dispersants, and softeners.

Detailed Description

Polyethylene Glycol PEG-800 (CAS No.: 25322-68-3) is a non-ionic water-soluble polymer primarily produced by Guoli Chemical, formed by the polymerization of ethylene oxide, appearing as a white waxy solid. With its excellent chemical stability, very low physiological toxicity, and broad compatibility, PEG-800 has become an indispensable functional basic raw material in many industrial fields.

In the pharmaceutical industry, PEG-800 is mainly used as an ointment base, suppository base, and drop pill excipient, effectively regulating drug release rates and improving formulation quality. In the personal care sector, its moisturizing and emollient properties make it widely used in creams, lotions, and facial cleansers, forming a protective film to reduce water evaporation. In industrial manufacturing, PEG-800 plays a key role in metalworking fluids, wire drawing lubricants, and rubber mold release agents by reducing friction coefficients and minimizing mold adhesion.

In the textile industry, PEG-800 is used in sizing and softening finishing processes to improve yarn bundling properties and fabric hand feel. In coatings and ink systems, it serves as an efficient pigment dispersant and leveling aid, preventing pigment flocculation and sedimentation. Additionally, in papermaking and ceramic forming processes, PEG-800 provides lubrication and plasticizing assistance, improving slurry flowability and body forming quality while reducing processing defects.

Application Recommendations

Application IndustrySpecific Process/UseProduct Function
Pharmaceutical IndustryOintment base, suppository base, drop pill excipient, co-solventRegulate drug release rate, improve formulation quality and dissolution characteristics
Personal Care ProductsSkin creams, lotions, facial cleansers, makeup removersMoisturizing, emollient, emulsion stabilization, providing mild skin feel
Industrial ManufacturingMetalworking fluids, wire drawing lubrication, rubber mold release, antistaticReduce friction coefficient, minimize mold adhesion, improve surface finish
Textile IndustrySizing agent, softening finishing agentEnhance fiber processability, impart soft and smooth hand feel to fabrics
Coatings and InksPigment dispersion, leveling aidPrevent pigment flocculation and sedimentation, improve system uniformity, optimize coating gloss
Papermaking IndustrySlurry lubrication, paper post-treatmentImprove paper flexibility and surface smoothness
Ceramic FormingBody forming, slurry plasticizationImprove slurry flowability, reduce processing defects

Application Precautions

  • PEG-800 has certain hygroscopicity; after opening, it should be sealed and stored promptly to avoid moisture absorption affecting performance.
  • When heating the product for melting, the temperature should be controlled below the flash point (approximately 240–270°C) to avoid overheating and generating irritating vapors.
  • In pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, product grades that meet the corresponding pharmacopoeia or industry standard specifications should be selected.
  • In textile sizing processes, it is recommended to adjust the dosage according to yarn material and process requirements. A general recommended dosage is 5%–15% of the total sizing amount (specific ratios should be determined through process trials).
  • When used as a paint dispersant, it is recommended to pre-dissolve in a small amount of water or solvent before adding to the system to ensure uniform dispersion effect.