Polyethylene glycol PEG-8000 (CAS number: 25322-68-3) appears as a white waxy solid or free-flowing powder, belonging to non-ionic surfactants. Its molecular structure endows it with unique hydrophilic properties, with very high solubility in water, forming clear transparent solutions, and good compatibility with various organic solvents. This characteristic allows it to play an irreplaceable role in many industrial fields such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, coatings, rubber, and textiles.
In terms of processing performance, PEG-8000 provides excellent slip and mold release effects, significantly reducing the coefficient of friction and improving processing efficiency. At the same time, it can effectively increase the solubility and dispersion uniformity of poorly soluble substances, enhancing the overall stability of the formulation. Its non-ionic nature allows it to maintain stable performance over a wide pH range and in hard water conditions, without adverse reactions with other components in the system, an advantage that ionic surfactants can hardly match.
From a safety perspective, PEG-8000 is recognized as a safe material with low toxicity and low irritation. The oral LD₅₀ in rats is greater than 50,000 mg/kg, non-irritating to the skin, only slightly irritating to the eyes, with no reports of sensitization or genotoxicity, meeting the strict safety standards of most industrial and consumer products. In addition, it is low in toxicity to aquatic organisms and easily biodegradable, demonstrating good environmental friendliness.
| Characteristic Dimension | Specific Performance |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Very high solubility in water, forming clear transparent solutions, compatible with various organic solvents |
| Lubricity and Mold Release | Excellent slip feel, significantly reduces friction coefficient, improves processing efficiency |
| Solubilization and Dispersion Ability | Increases solubility and dispersion uniformity of poorly soluble substances, enhances formulation stability |
| Chemical Stability | Stable performance over a wide pH range and in hard water conditions, does not react with other components |
| Film-forming and Moisturizing | Forms a flexible film with moisture absorption and retention functions, providing a comfortable skin feel |
| Safety | Low toxicity, no skin irritation, no sensitization, no carcinogenicity, easily biodegradable |
In the pharmaceutical industry, PEG-8000 is used as a hydrophilic ointment base, suppository base, tablet lubricant, and disintegrant. In personal care and cosmetics, it serves as a humectant, emulsion stabilizer, and viscosity regulator, offering a moisturizing yet non-greasy skin feel. In the coatings and ink industry, it is an efficient pigment dispersant. In rubber and plastic processing, it is used as a mold release agent and antistatic agent. In addition, it is widely used in metalworking fluids, textile sizing, paper coating, pesticide water-dispersible granules, and biotechnology (protein purification, cell fusion) fields.