Polyether L-42 (Poloxamer 122, CAS: 9003-11-6) belongs to the polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer ether class of nonionic surfactants. Compared with common fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ethers (such as isomeric tridecanol polyether, oleyl alcohol polyether) or glycerol polyethers, the polyoxypropylene (PO) block in its molecular structure endows it with unique low-foaming characteristics and rapid foam-breaking ability. This product has an HLB value of approximately 8 and a cloud point as low as 37°C (1% aqueous solution), meaning it can precipitate from water and exert defoaming action at or slightly above room temperature – a property that conventional high-HLB surfactants cannot match.
Compared with other polyether products in the database, the functional positioning of Polyether L-42 is more focused: GP-330 and XS-02 are biased towards dedicated defoamer compounding, while Glycerol Polyether G-18/G-25 and Isomeric Alcohol Polyether E-1310/E-1340 mainly focus on wetting and emulsification with higher foam. Polyether L-42 is precisely at the "golden intersection of low foam + strong defoaming + efficient wetting". In dynamic systems such as automatic spray cleaning, CIP (clean-in-place) cleaning, and metalworking fluids, it can effectively inhibit foam generation while quickly spreading a water film, significantly reducing downtime for defoaming and improving production efficiency.
In terms of safety and environmental protection, Polyether L-42 also has significant advantages. Its flash point is above 200°C, making it non-flammable liquid. It is not classified as a health or environmental hazard under GHS standards, and it has good biodegradability and low toxicity to aquatic organisms. This gives it a compliance advantage over some defoaming components containing silicone or solvents in food contact cleaning applications (e.g., automatic dishwasher rinse aids) and industrial scenarios with high environmental requirements. In addition, its active content is ≥99%, moisture ≤0.5%, high purity, and good batch stability, which is conducive to precise control of downstream formulations.
| Parameter Item | Polyether L-42 (Poloxamer 122) | General Characteristics of Similar Products (Reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Type | Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer ether | Fatty alcohol polyether / Glycerol polyether / Silicone-modified polyether, etc. |
| HLB Value | Approx. 8 | Typically 6-16 (depending on EO number) |
| Cloud Point (1% aqueous solution) | 37°C | Typically 40-100°C (higher EO products have higher cloud points) |
| Foam Characteristics | Low foam, with both defoaming and foam suppression functions | Most are medium to high foam (unless specially designed) |
| Surface Tension (1% aqueous solution) | ~33 mN/m | Typically 25-40 mN/m |
| CMC (Critical Micelle Concentration) | ~0.01% (w/v) | Varies greatly by type |
| Active Content | ≥99% | Typically 95-99% varying |
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid | Can be liquid to paste depending on type |
| Acid/Alkali Stability | Excellent (stable in acid, alkali, and high-hardness water) | Nonionic types are generally good, but may differ under extreme conditions |
| Flash Point (Closed Cup) | >200°C | Typically >100°C |
| Pour Point | <-20°C | Depends on molecular weight and structure |
Polyether L-42 is best suited for the following scenarios to leverage its unique advantages: