PEG400DL is a non-ionic surfactant produced by esterification of polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) with lauric acid. It appears as a light yellow to yellow liquid. Thanks to its hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced molecular structure, this product can effectively reduce the oil-water interfacial tension and serve as a key interfacial active component in various industrial formulation systems. Its low foaming characteristics, excellent chemical stability (resistant to acids, alkalis, and hard water), and environmentally friendly property of being easily biodegradable make it a preferred raw material in many fine chemical fields.
In terms of process applicability, PEG400DL can be used either as a primary emulsifier or as an auxiliary emulsifier/solubilizer working in synergy with other surfactants. It performs stably in both cold and hot processing. Turbidity or solidification may occur at low temperatures, but after returning to room temperature and stirring evenly, normal use can be restored without affecting product performance.
1. Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry — PEG400DL provides solubilization, emulsification, and emollient functions in products such as creams, lotions, shampoos, and body washes. In the process, it is commonly used in the emulsification step of the oil phase and water phase, helping to form a stable and fine emulsion structure. It can also adjust product viscosity, improve application feel, and enhance product transparency.
2. Industrial Cleaners and Metalworking Fluids — With its low foaming property and excellent lubricating ability, this product is suitable for hard surface cleaner formulations and metal cutting fluid and grinding fluid systems. In high-pressure spray cleaning processes, its low foaming characteristic can avoid foam overflow issues. In metalworking, it provides boundary lubrication and cooling protection.
3. Textile and Leather Processing — Used as an antistatic agent, softener, and leveling agent. It reduces static buildup during fiber spinning and finishing processes, promotes uniform dye uptake in dyeing processes, and improves leather feel and softness in fatliquoring processes. It is suitable for various process routes such as padding and exhaustion methods.
4. Pesticide Formulations — In water-based pesticide formulations (such as emulsifiable concentrates, suspension concentrates, and emulsions in water), it acts as an emulsifier and dispersant, helping the pesticide active ingredients to uniformly suspend or emulsify in water, improving the wetting and spreading properties of the spray solution, thus enhancing field application effects.
5. Coatings and Inks — Used as a pigment wetting and dispersing agent and leveling agent. It promotes the wetting and deagglomeration of pigment particles during the grinding and dispersion stage, reducing dispersion time. During film formation, it promotes leveling of the coating film, avoiding surface defects such as craters and orange peel, improving color uniformity and storage stability of the system.
The following is a summary of basic technical parameters for PEG400DL (based on the database product safety data sheet and product overview):
| Parameter Item | Specification/Description |
|---|---|
| Product Name | PEG400DL (Polyethylene Glycol 400 Dilaurate) |
| CAS Number | 9005-02-1 |
| Type | Non-ionic Surfactant |
| Appearance | Transparent to slightly turbid, light yellow liquid |
| Flash Point (Closed Cup) | > 250 °C |
| Acute Oral Toxicity (LD50) | > 5,000 mg/kg (Rat) |
| Skin Irritation | Non-irritating |
| Eye Irritation | Slightly irritating (reversible within 72 hours) |
| Biodegradability | Readily biodegradable (OECD 301F, 28-day degradation rate > 60%) |
| HLB Value | Not available (to be determined based on specific product batches) |
| Cloud Point | Not available |
| Hydroxyl Value | Not available |