What is Polyether F-38? What are its main uses?

Polyether F-38 (Poloxamer 108) is a high-performance nonionic surfactant widely used in polyurethane industry, defoamer/demulsifier synthesis, coating and adhesive modification, textile auxiliaries, and other fields.

Product Overview

Polyether F-38 (CAS No.: 9003-11-6), also known as Poloxamer 108, is also marketed internationally as Pluronic F-38, Antarox F-38, etc. Its chemical nature is a poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) triblock copolymer, belonging to the EO-PO-EO type block polyether.

At room temperature, it appears as a colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid (may be pasty at low temperatures) with no obvious irritating odor. This product, with its unique hydrophilic-hydrophobic balanced molecular structure, exhibits excellent emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, and low-foaming properties in various industrial scenarios.

Polyether F-38 is not a dangerous good and features non-flammability, low toxicity, no skin irritation, no sensitization, and is easily biodegradable (biodegradation rate >60% under OECD 301B standard), aligning with the development direction of modern green chemical industry.

Key Characteristics

• Excellent surface activity: Possesses outstanding emulsifying, wetting, and dispersing capabilities, effectively reducing interfacial tension and improving formulation stability.
• Superior chemical stability: Maintains stable performance in acidic, alkaline, and high-hardness water environments, with a wide range of applications.
• Low foaming property: Low foam generation, easy foam control and defoaming, especially suitable for processes requiring low foam or rapid defoaming.
• Safety and environmental friendliness: Low toxicity, no skin irritation, no sensitization, and easy biodegradability.

Main Uses

1. Polyurethane Industry — Core Basic Raw Material

Polyether F-38 is a key reaction component for synthesizing polyurethane flexible foam, rigid foam, semi-rigid foam, and elastomers, effectively regulating cell structure, foaming fluidity, and dimensional stability, imparting excellent comfort and resilience to products. Widely used in furniture sponges, automotive seat cushions, building insulation materials, etc.

2. Defoamers and Demulsifiers — Key Synthesis Intermediates

With good hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance, Polyether F-38 is an ideal intermediate for preparing high-efficiency defoamers, crude oil demulsifiers, and industrial wetting agents, having important applications in oil extraction, wastewater treatment, and industrial cleaning.

3. Coatings, Adhesives, and Elastomers — Modifying Components

By introducing flexible polyether segments, Polyether F-38 can significantly enhance the flexibility, hydrolysis resistance, and low-temperature impact resistance of polyurethane coatings, adhesives, and cast elastomers, meeting the technical requirements of high-end industrial protective coatings and precision bonding.

4. Fine Chemicals — Functional Formulation Additives

Widely used in textile finishing agents (providing leveling and antistatic effects), paper chemicals (improving pulp dispersion and paper surface properties), and metalworking lubricants (providing excellent lubrication, cleaning, cooling, and anti-rust performance) in formulations.

Technical Parameters

The following are known physicochemical property data for Polyether F-38:

Note: Specific refined indicators such as HLB value, hydroxyl value, cloud point, molecular weight, etc., are not provided in the current product database. For precise parameters, it is recommended to contact the technical department of Guoli Chemical for a Certificate of Analysis (COA).

Application Recommendations

• In polyurethane formulations: Depending on target foam density and hardness, use in combination with other polyols and isocyanates according to formulation ratios; it is recommended to determine optimal dosage through small-scale trials.
• In defoamer synthesis: Can be used as a starter for esterification with fatty acids or compounding with silicone oil, leveraging its low-foaming properties for synergistic enhancement.
• In textile auxiliaries: Recommended for leveling agents and spinning oil formulations, utilizing its dual antistatic and wetting functions.
• In metalworking fluids: Added as a lubricating and anti-rust component, also providing cleaning and cooling effects.

Precautions

• Low temperatures may cause the product to solidify or become turbid; warming to room temperature and stirring evenly can restore its original state, without affecting product quality.
• Keep the packaging container sealed during storage, away from fire, heat, and incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers.
• It is recommended to wear chemical safety goggles and protective gloves during operation, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.
• Waste should be disposed of by qualified professional agencies in accordance with regulations; do not discharge into sewers or the natural environment.