Question

What is Polyether L-44? What are its main uses?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 聚醚L-44

Polyether L-44 (Poloxamer 124) is a high-performance nonionic polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer ether surfactant, with excellent emulsifying, wetting, dispersing capabilities and low foam characteristics, widely used in polyurethane industry, industrial cleaning, metalworking fluids, pesticide formulations, and personal care products.

Detailed Description

Polyether L-44, chemical name Poloxamer 124, CAS number 9003-11-6, is a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. The product appears as a colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid and belongs to the nonionic surfactant category. As one of the core polyether products under Guoli Chemical, L-44 is widely used in many industrial fields due to its excellent versatility and chemical stability.

This product has multiple core advantages: excellent emulsifying performance, forming stable and fine emulsions for various oil phase systems; low foam and fast defoaming, especially suitable for industrial operation environments where excessive foam is undesirable; good wetting and dispersing properties, quickly wetting solid surfaces and effectively dispersing particles; strong chemical stability, maintaining stable performance in acidic, alkaline, and hard water systems; and good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants. In terms of safety, Polyether L-44 has very low acute oral toxicity (LD₅₀ > 5,000 mg/kg), no skin irritation, no sensitization, and good biocompatibility.

Technical Parameters

Parameter ItemParameter Value
Product NamePolyether L-44
Alias/Trade NamePoloxamer 124 / Pluronic L-44
CAS Number9003-11-6
Product TypeNonionic Polyether Surfactant
Chemical CompositionBlock copolymer of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO)
AppearanceColorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid
Ionic TypeNonionic
HLB ValueNot available (Database does not record specific value)
Cloud PointNot available
Acute Oral Toxicity (LD₅₀)> 5,000 mg/kg (Practically non-toxic)
Skin IrritationNon-irritating (Irritation index < 0.5)
GHS ClassificationNon-hazardous substance

Application Suggestions

1. Polyurethane Industry (Core Application): Used as a foam stabilizer for flexible, rigid, and semi-rigid foams, providing excellent emulsification, nucleation, and cell refinement functions to ensure uniform and stable foam; in polyurethane coatings, adhesives, and elastomer systems, it serves as a leveling agent and wetting agent, improving surface tension and substrate wettability, reducing surface defects such as craters and orange peel.

2. Industrial Cleaning: As a low-foaming surfactant used in industrial cleaning formulations, effectively controlling foam even in high-pressure spray and circulation cleaning processes while providing good emulsifying and detergency.

3. Metalworking Fluids: Provides lubrication, wetting, and cleaning effects, helping to extend tool life and improve workpiece surface quality, with synergistic anti-corrosion effects.

4. Pesticide Formulations: Used as a pesticide emulsifier, improving the emulsion stability and dilution dispersibility of emulsifiable concentrates and microemulsions, enhancing the wetting and spreading ability of the spray liquid, and improving drug efficacy utilization.

5. Personal Care Products: In cosmetic formulations, it serves as a gentle emollient component, providing a smooth skin feel and improving the spreadability and user experience of the product.

Precautions

  • It is recommended to wear chemical safety goggles and protective gloves during operation to avoid product splashing into eyes or prolonged skin contact.
  • Use in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling vapors or aerosols generated by heating.
  • Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, with temperature not exceeding 40°C, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
  • Keep containers tightly closed, away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames, and avoid coexistence with strong oxidizers.
  • In case of eye contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention; for skin contact, wash with water and soap.
  • In case of leakage, collect with inert absorbent materials (e.g., sand) and prevent entry into drains or water bodies.
  • This product is not classified as dangerous chemicals, but waste disposal should comply with local environmental regulations; do not discharge arbitrarily.