PEG400DL (polyethylene glycol dilaurate) is a nonionic surfactant produced by the esterification of polyethylene glycol 400 with lauric acid. It appears as a light yellow liquid and features efficient emulsification, solubilization, dispersion, and low-foaming properties. It is widely used in various fields such as personal care, industrial cleaning, textile processing, pesticide formulations, and coatings and inks.
Detailed Description
PEG400DL, with the full chemical name polyethylene glycol (400) dilaurate and CAS number 9005-02-1, is a nonionic surfactant synthesized through the esterification of polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) with lauric acid. The product appears as a light yellow to yellow liquid. Its molecular structure contains both hydrophilic polyethylene glycol segments and hydrophobic laurate ester groups, giving it excellent amphiphilic properties.
As a well-balanced nonionic surfactant, PEG400DL exhibits outstanding activity at the oil-water interface, effectively reducing interfacial tension to form stable, fine emulsions. Additionally, this product maintains stable performance in acidic, alkaline, and hard water media, resisting decomposition or deactivation and demonstrating good chemical stability. Its low-foaming characteristic is particularly notable in practical applications, generating minimal foam and being easy to rinse, making it highly suitable for industrial systems with strict foam control requirements.
In terms of safety, PEG400DL is a non-hazardous substance with very low acute oral toxicity (rat LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg), no skin irritation, and only mild reversible eye irritation. It is also readily biodegradable (OECD 301F, >60% degradation in 28 days), meeting modern environmental and occupational health standards.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Product Name | PEG400DL (polyethylene glycol dilaurate) |
| Chemical Name | Polyethylene glycol (400) dilaurate |
| CAS Number | 9005-02-1 |
| Product Type | Nonionic surfactant |
| Appearance | Light yellow to yellow liquid (clear to slightly hazy) |
| Flash Point (closed cup) | > 250 °C |
| Acute Oral Toxicity (rat LD50) | > 5,000 mg/kg |
| Skin Irritation | Non-irritating |
| Eye Irritation | Mildly irritating (reversible within 72 hours) |
| Mutagenicity (Ames test) | Negative |
| Ecotoxicity (fish/daphnia) | LC50/EC50 > 100 mg/L (low toxicity) |
| Biodegradability | Readily biodegradable (OECD 301F, >60% in 28 days) |
| Recommended Storage Temperature | 5 °C to 40 °C |
Application Recommendations
With its balanced molecular structure and multifunctional properties, PEG400DL is widely applicable in the following areas:
- Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: As a solubilizer, co-emulsifier, and emollient, it is commonly used in creams, lotions, shampoos, and shower gels to enhance product transparency and skin feel, while also aiding in viscosity adjustment.
- Industrial Cleaners and Metalworking Fluids: Due to its low foaming and excellent lubricating properties, it is suitable for formulating high-efficiency industrial cleaners and metalworking fluids, providing cleaning power and equipment protection in hard surface cleaning, cutting, and grinding processes.
- Textile and Leather Processing: As an antistatic agent, softener, and leveling agent, it improves the surface properties and feel of fibers and leather, reduces static buildup, and ensures color consistency during dyeing.
- Pesticide Formulations: Acting as an emulsifier and dispersant, it helps active ingredients uniformly suspend or emulsify in water-based media, enhancing wetting, spreading, and field performance.
- Coatings and Inks: Used as a pigment wetting dispersant and leveling agent, it improves pigment wetting and dispersion efficiency, promotes smooth and even film formation, prevents surface defects such as cratering, and enhances color uniformity and storage stability.
Precautions
- The recommended storage temperature is 5 °C to 40 °C. Cloudiness or solidification may occur at low temperatures; this is a normal physical phenomenon. The product can be used after warming to room temperature and gentle stirring, without affecting its quality.
- Seal the container promptly after use to prevent moisture absorption or contamination. Store in the original packaging or compatible material containers (e.g., stainless steel, high-density polyethylene).
- Wear protective goggles and chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile gloves) during operation, and maintain good industrial ventilation.
- Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, strong bases, and strong acids. Keep away from open flames and high-temperature surfaces.
- Dispose of waste in accordance with local regulations through authorized entities. Do not discharge into sewers, surface waters, or soil.
