Polyether L-42 (Poloxamer 122) is a polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene block copolymer ether. At room temperature, it appears as a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid with excellent low-foaming properties, emulsifying and dispersing capabilities, and chemical stability. Its HLB value is approximately 8, and the cloud point is 37°C (1% aqueous solution). It is readily soluble in water, ethanol, and various other solvents. This solubility characteristic makes it convenient to add in both aqueous and oily systems. Before use, ensure the product appears clear and without abnormality. If turbidity occurs after low-temperature storage, simply warm it back to the recommended storage temperature (5°C to 35°C) and stir gently to restore performance—no special preheating treatment is needed.
In practical operation, Polyether L-42 can serve as a "versatile" additive with flexible addition methods. For aqueous formulations (such as cleaning agents, cutting fluids, textile auxiliaries), it can be slowly added under stirring conditions to disperse and dissolve in water. For oily systems or high-concentration defoamer formulations, it can be mixed and ground together with base oils, hydrophobic particles, and other components. Since this product is nonionic, it exhibits good synergistic compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants. In compounding systems, it generally does not cause precipitation or failure due to charge conflicts.
| Application Area | Recommended Dosage (wt% of total formulation) | Addition Method and Key Usage Points |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial low-foaming cleaner | 2%~8% | Mix and dissolve with deionized water, alkaline additives, chelating agents, etc., under stirring. Due to its inherent low-foaming property, no additional defoamer is needed. |
| Automatic dishwasher rinse aid | 5%~15% | Compound with nonionic penetrants, citric acid, etc. Utilize its ability to reduce interfacial tension for rapid streak-free drying effect. |
| Metalworking fluid/Cutting fluid | 1%~5% | Add to base oil or water during the blending stage. It provides lubrication, cooling, and foam suppression, suitable for high-pressure spray conditions. |
| Defoamer base component | 10%~30% | As a defoamer active substance, combine with hydrophobic silica, emulsifiers, and carrier oil, then disperse or grind at high speed to produce finished defoamer. |
| Wetting and dispersing agent for coatings/inks | 0.2%~1.0% (based on pigment weight) | Add during the grinding and dispersion stage to help pigment deflocculation and wetting, while reducing micro-foam entrapment during grinding. |
| Textile pretreatment scouring and penetrating agent | 1~3 g/L (working solution) | Add directly when preparing scouring or bleaching liquor. It promotes uniform penetration of alkali and hydrogen peroxide, enhancing capillary effect and whiteness. |
| Emulsifier for pesticide emulsifiable concentrate/suspension concentrate | 3%~8% | Mix and dissolve with technical concentrate and solvents. Spontaneously emulsifies into a stable emulsion upon dilution with water, enhancing field wetting and spreading ability. |
*The above dosages are general recommended ranges from the database. The actual optimal dosage should be determined through small-scale experiments tailored to the specific formulation system.
Direct Dissolution in Water: In a mixing tank equipped with a stirrer, pre-add the measured deionized water. Start stirring (recommended at medium to low speed to avoid excessive air entrainment). Slowly add Polyether L-42 along the vortex, and continue stirring for approximately 10-15 minutes until fully dispersed. If the formulation contains inorganic salts or alkaline additives, it is recommended to add them after the polyether L-42 is fully dispersed to avoid high electrolyte concentration affecting dissolution efficiency.
Compounding/Pre-mixing Method: When compounding with other surfactants, first dilute Polyether L-42 and the anionic or cationic surfactant separately with water, then mix them sequentially. Avoid direct mixing at high concentrations to prevent localized gelation. For defoamer preparation, typically treat Polyether L-42 with hydrophobic silica, emulsifier, and carrier oil in a high-speed disperser (speed 1000-3000 rpm) for 20-30 minutes to form a uniform paste or emulsion.