Polyethylene Glycol (PEG-800) (CAS No.: 25322-68-3) is a high-purity nonionic water-soluble polymer produced by Guoli Chemical. At room temperature, it appears as a white to off-white waxy solid with an active content ≥99%. Due to its low melting point (28~32°C), it usually requires gentle heating to 35~40°C to melt into a colorless viscous liquid before adding to the formulation with stirring. Alternatively, it can be pre-dissolved to a certain concentration as an aqueous solution—PEG-800 is readily soluble in water. It is recommended to slowly add the solid to warm water (40~50°C) while stirring to avoid clumping from a single large addition.
In practice, three typical addition methods can be selected based on process requirements: direct melt addition (suitable for oil-phase systems or processes requiring heating), aqueous solution addition (suitable for water-based formulations, facilitating precise metering), and co-blending and grinding with other components (suitable for solid mixtures or powdered products). The product has good chemical compatibility and can be used with anionic, cationic, and nonionic auxiliaries, maintaining effective performance even in hard water conditions.
It is important to note that PEG-800 is a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value as high as 20, strong hydrophilicity, very low to no foam, surface tension of 55~60 mN/m, and does not form micelles. These characteristics determine its main functions in formulations: solubilization, dispersion, lubrication, moisture retention, and shaping, rather than traditional emulsification or detergency.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white waxy solid |
| Melting Point | 28~32°C |
| Molecular Weight Range | 700~900 |
| Hydroxyl Value | 125~160 mg KOH/g |
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0~7.0 |
| Moisture | ≤1.0% |
| HLB Value | 20 |
| Cloud Point (1% aqueous solution) | >100°C |
| Viscosity (100°C) | 15~20 mm²/s |
| Flash Point | >240°C |
| Active Content | ≥99% |
The following are recommended dosage ranges based on industry practices (Data source: Guoli Chemical product database does not include specific dosages; these are general industry experience references. Actual dosage should be determined through formulation trials):
| Application Area | Recommended Dosage (wt%) | Usage Method |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Ointment Base | 10%~30% | Compounded with other PEG series (e.g., PEG-400, PEG-4000), melt-mixed and then cooled to solidify |
| Suppository Base | 20%~50% | As part of mixed PEG base to adjust melting point and release rate |
| Skin Care Cream/Lotion (Moisturizer) | 1%~5% | Dissolved in the water phase before addition, providing moisture and smooth skin feel |
| Cleansing/Makeup Remover Products | 1%~3% | Added as aqueous solution to help reduce irritation |
| Metalworking Lubricant | 2%~10% | As water-based lubricant additive, directly dissolved in water for use |
| Rubber Mold Release Agent | 5%~15% | Prepared as aqueous solution or directly applied to mold surface |
| Textile Sizing Agent | 1%~5% | Dissolved in sizing solution to improve yarn bundling and flexibility |
| Textile Softening Finish | 0.5%~3% | Used in finishing bath to impart soft hand feel to fabric |
| Coating Pigment Dispersion | 0.5%~3% (based on pigment weight) | Added during grinding stage to prevent pigment flocculation |
| Paper Lubrication | 0.2%~1% | Added to pulp to improve paper flexibility and surface smoothness |