Polyether L-42 (Poloxamer 122) is a nonionic polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene block copolymer. At room temperature, it is a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid with an HLB value of about 8 and a cloud point of 37°C for a 1% aqueous solution. It is easily soluble in water. In practical use, it can be directly added to the aqueous or oil phase system with stirring, or pre-diluted with warm water to a 10%~20% solution before feeding to facilitate rapid and uniform dispersion. For high-viscosity formulations, it is recommended to add it slowly under stirring to avoid local high concentrations.
This product has strong defoaming and foam-inhibiting functions and excellent compatibility. It can be used synergistically with various anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants. In compounding, it is usually used as a functional auxiliary with the main surfactant. It is recommended to add it in the later stage of formulation development to reduce foam interference caused by excessive shearing during processing.
| Application Field | Recommended Dosage (Percentage of Total Formulation) | Usage Method |
|---|---|---|
| Low-foam hard surface cleaner | 1.0% ~ 3.0% | Add directly to the water phase with stirring until dissolved |
| Dish rinse aid/drying agent | 5.0% ~ 20.0% (active ingredient) | Pre-dilute before adding, as a core drying component |
| Metalworking fluid/cutting fluid | 0.5% ~ 2.0% | Add to the water phase or directly into the concentrate |
| Industrial defoamer component | 10.0% ~ 30.0% | As the active defoaming substance, compounded with other hydrophobic particles |
| Coating/ink wetting and dispersing agent | 0.1% ~ 0.5% | Add during the grinding stage to assist pigment dispersion |
| Textile pretreatment wetting agent | 0.5% ~ 2.0 g/L (working solution) | Add directly to the scouring or bleaching bath |
| Pesticide emulsifying and dispersing agent | 2.0% ~ 5.0% | Add to the oil or water phase to participate in emulsification |
Data Note: The above dosage ranges are general reference values based on industry experience (source: Guoli Chemical Product Application Database). The actual optimal dosage must be verified through small-scale and pilot tests.
Polyether L-42's low-foam characteristics make it particularly suitable for dynamic cleaning scenarios such as automatic spray cleaning, CIP (clean-in-place) cleaning, and high-pressure cleaning. In dish rinse aid formulations, it is recommended to compound with nonionic wetting agents and control the use concentration at 0.1~0.5 g/L (based on rinse water) to achieve rapid and streak-free drying. When used as a defoamer component, it can be combined with hydrophobic silica, silicone, etc., for synergistic enhancement.