Polyether L-35 (CAS: 68439-50-9), also known as C12-14 alcohol polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ether, fatty alcohol EO/PO copolymer, and internationally known as Poloxamer 105, is a bifunctional nonionic surfactant produced by Haian Guoli Chemical Co., Ltd. The product appears as a colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid, formed by block copolymerization of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO). Its unique molecular structure imparts distinctive surface activity.
As a nonionic surfactant, Polyether L-35 has a stable structure and remains active in aqueous systems, acidic/alkaline solutions, and environments containing electrolytes (e.g., hard water). It has very low toxicity (LD₅₀ > 5 g/kg), is non-irritating to skin, and causes only very mild eye irritation. It is classified as a non-hazardous chemical with high operational safety.
The most outstanding property of Polyether L-35 is its high-efficiency low-foaming wetting—it possesses excellent wetting and spreading ability while generating minimal foam, making it ideal for industrial processes requiring rapid wetting but where defoaming is difficult. Additionally, it provides good emulsification and dispersion stability for various oil phases and pigments, helping to enhance uniformity in mixed formulations.
Polyether L-35, with its balanced performance profile, is widely used in the following six major industrial fields:
1. Coatings and Inks: Used as a low-foaming dynamic wetting agent to effectively reduce dynamic surface tension, promote rapid spreading and wetting on substrates, prevent cratering, and maintain system defoaming properties for smooth and uniform coatings.
2. Industrial and Household Cleaning: Used as a detergency-boosting component in hard surface cleaners to quickly penetrate the interface between soil and substrate, synergize with surfactants to improve cleaning efficiency, while maintaining low foam for easy rinsing.
3. Metalworking Fluids: Provides emulsification, lubrication, and wetting/cooling properties in cutting fluids and forming lubricants, stabilizing the emulsion system to prevent oil-water separation, forming a lubricating film on metal surfaces to reduce friction and heat, and extending tool life.
4. Textile Auxiliaries: Used as a penetrating and leveling agent to accelerate the uniform diffusion of dye liquor into fibers, reducing color spots and streaks, especially suitable for low-foam jet dyeing processes.
5. Agrochemical Formulations: Used as an emulsifying and dispersing auxiliary in pesticide emulsifiable concentrates and water-based suspensions to stabilize emulsion droplets or dispersed solid particles, improve droplet spreading and adhesion on plant leaves, and enhance active ingredient utilization.
6. Water-Based Adhesives and Sealants: Reduces surface tension, enhances wetting on difficult-to-bond substrates such as plastics and metals, improves initial tack and bond strength, and controls foam to ensure smooth application.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Polyether L-35 |
| International Common Name | Poloxamer 105 |
| CAS Number | 68439-50-9 |
| Synonyms | C12-14 alcohol polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ether; Fatty alcohol EO/PO copolymer; Low-foam nonionic surfactant |
| Product Type | Bifunctional nonionic surfactant |
| Appearance | Colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid |
| Chemical Composition | Block copolymer of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) |
| Acute Oral Toxicity (LD₅₀) | >5 g/kg (rat), very low toxicity |
| Skin Irritation | Non-irritating |
| Eye Irritation | Very mild irritation |
| Hazard Classification | Non-hazardous chemical, non-flammable, non-explosive |
Polyether L-35 is particularly suitable for formulations with strict foam control requirements. In coatings and inks, it is recommended as a post-add wetting agent to effectively solve problems such as cratering and pinholes caused by insufficient dynamic wetting. In cleaning formulations, it can be combined with nonionic or anionic surfactants to enhance penetration and detergency without increasing foam burden. In metalworking fluids, it offers dual functions of emulsification and lubrication, reducing the number of auxiliary additives needed in the formulation.