Question

How to use PEG400DL, polyethylene glycol dilaurate?

Answer
2026-05-17 官方文档 PEG400DL,聚乙二醇双月桂酸酯

PEG400DL (Polyethylene Glycol Dilaurate) is a nonionic surfactant. It can be added directly to the formulation system. It is recommended to add it slowly under stirring conditions. If it solidifies at low temperatures, it should be restored to room temperature and stirred evenly before use.

Detailed Description

PEG400DL is produced by esterification of polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) with lauric acid. It appears as a light yellow to yellow liquid with good amphiphilic properties. As a nonionic surfactant, it has good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and nonionic auxiliaries, allowing flexible combination in formulations.

In practical operations, PEG400DL is usually used as an emulsifier, solubilizer, or dispersant and can be added directly to the oil phase or water phase. It is recommended to add it slowly under stirring conditions to ensure thorough dispersion and optimal performance. Due to its outstanding low-foaming characteristics, it is especially suitable for industrial cleaning systems and metalworking fluid formulations that require minimal foam.

According to the safety instructions of Guoli Chemical, the recommended storage temperature for the product is between 5°C and 40°C. Under low-temperature conditions, the product may become cloudy or solidify, which is a normal physical phenomenon and does not affect product quality. Simply restore the material to room temperature before use, stir it slowly until homogeneous, and then use it as normal without the need for special heating treatment.

Usage Methods in Various Fields

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: As a solubilizer and auxiliary emulsifier, it can be used in combination with primary emulsifiers when preparing creams and lotions, or it can be directly added to the water phase in shampoo and body wash systems and stirred to dissolve, helping to improve product transparency and skin feel.

Industrial Cleaners and Metalworking Fluids: Utilizing its low-foaming and lubricating properties, it is directly added to cleaner or cutting fluid formulations for compounding. In hard surface cleaning scenarios, it helps improve detergency and facilitates rinsing, reducing residue.

Textile and Leather Processing: It can be used as an antistatic agent or softening finishing agent in post-finishing processes by padding or dipping methods to improve fiber surface properties and hand feel, reducing static buildup.

Pesticide Formulations: It serves as an emulsifying and dispersing component in water-based pesticide preparations. The active ingredient is pre-mixed with this product and then diluted with water, helping the active substance to uniformly suspend or emulsify in the water phase, thereby enhancing wetting and spreading effects in the field.

Coatings and Inks: As a pigment wetting and dispersing agent, it is added during the grinding and dispersion stage to improve the uniformity of pigment color development, promote a smooth and level coating film, and avoid surface defects such as cratering.

Handling Precautions

Pre-treatment

  • Check the product appearance before use. If cloudiness or solidification occurs due to low temperatures, restore it to room temperature and stir slowly until homogeneous; performance is unaffected.
  • Seal the container promptly after opening to prevent prolonged exposure to air, which may cause moisture absorption or oxidation.

Personal Protection

  • It is recommended to wear protective goggles to prevent liquid splashes into the eyes during operation.
  • Use chemically resistant protective gloves (e.g., nitrile gloves). If there is a risk of extensive contact, wear protective clothing.
  • Operate under well-ventilated conditions; no special respiratory protection is required. In case of atomization operations, it is recommended to wear a face mask with A/P type filter cartridges.

Storage and Compatibility

  • Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse, away from strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, and strong acids.
  • Use original packaging or containers made of compatible materials (e.g., stainless steel, high-density polyethylene) for storage. Close the container tightly immediately after use.
  • PEG400DL is a nonionic surfactant that maintains stable performance in acidic, alkaline, and hard water media, and has good compatibility with various ionic auxiliaries.

Emergency Procedures

  • Skin contact: Immediately rinse with mild soap and plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
  • Eye contact: Open eyelids and rinse thoroughly with plenty of running water or saline solution for at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
  • Spill handling: Use a universal chemical absorbent pad to collect the spill into a sealed container. Dispose of it according to local regulations through a qualified waste disposal unit. Do not discharge into drains or surface waters.