Polyether L-45 is a versatile nonionic surfactant, and its specific usage and dosage vary depending on the application scenario. It is usually added directly in the later processing steps as a formulation component, with a typical dosage range of 0.1%–15%.
Detailed Description
Polyether L-45 (Poloxamer-type nonionic surfactant, CAS No. 9003-11-6) is a colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid with an HLB value of 11–13, a cloud point of 65–75°C for a 1% aqueous solution, and is a low-foaming surfactant with strong hydrophilicity. The polyoxyethylene (EO) and polyoxypropylene (PO) blocks in its molecular structure impart excellent wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing capabilities, along with outstanding hard water resistance and acid-alkali stability.
In practical use, Polyether L-45 is typically added as a functional component to the aqueous or oil phase system under stirring conditions. For water-based formulations, it can be directly added to water with stirring until uniform; for emulsion or suspension systems, it is recommended to add during the homogenization or high-speed dispersion stage to fully utilize its emulsifying and dispersing efficacy. The product is a liquid at room temperature, easy to handle, and requires no pre-dissolution or heating.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Specification | Description |
|---|
| HLB Value | 11–13 | Hydrophilic, suitable for O/W emulsion systems |
| Cloud Point | 65–75°C (1% aqueous solution) | Characteristic index for nonionic surfactants |
| Active Content | ≥99% | High-purity product |
| Surface Tension | 30–35 mN/m (0.1%, 25°C) | Outstanding ability to reduce interfacial tension |
| CMC | Approx. 1×10⁻⁴ mol/L | Low critical micelle concentration, high efficiency |
| pH Value | 5.0–7.5 (1% aqueous solution) | Nearly neutral, strong compatibility |
| Foaming Performance | Low foam | Suitable for spray cleaning and rapid rinsing systems |
Application Recommendations
Based on the product's performance characteristics and application recommendations from the Guoli Chemical database, the recommended dosages for various fields are as follows:
- Industrial Cleaners: Recommended addition of 0.5%–2% (based on total formulation weight). As a low-foaming wetting and penetrating agent, it can be directly added to alkaline or acidic cleaning formulations, providing rapid emulsification and removal of heavy oil stains, especially suitable for spray cleaning of metals and hard surfaces.
- Dish Rinse Aids: Recommended addition of 5%–15%. Used in the rinse section at high wash temperatures, it quickly reduces the surface tension of rinse water, promoting uniform water film spreading and rapid detachment from dish surfaces, achieving a spot-free, streak-free dry result.
- Metalworking Fluids: Recommended addition of 1%–5%. As a low-foaming surfactant with both lubricating and cooling functions, it effectively prevents foam overflow during high-pressure spray and high-speed cutting processes.
- Textile Scouring and Bleaching Agents: Recommended working solution concentration of 1–3 g/L. With excellent penetration and dispersion capabilities, it efficiently removes cotton wax and impurities during desizing, scouring, and bleaching processes, while suspending dirt to prevent redeposition.
- Pesticide Emulsifiers: Recommended addition of 2%–8% (based on total weight of emulsifiable concentrate or oil suspension). Better results are achieved when used in combination with anionic emulsifiers, allowing oily active ingredients to rapidly disperse into stable emulsions with uniform droplet size in water.
- Defoamers: Recommended addition of 0.1%–0.5%. With extremely low foaming tendency, it can be used as a base carrier in industrial defoamer formulations or synergistically with silicones to enhance foam control durability.
Note: The above dosages are industrial reference ranges; specific amounts should be determined through experiments based on actual formulation systems and operating conditions.
Precautions
- Safety Protection: This product can cause serious eye irritation, skin irritation, and respiratory irritation. Before operation, goggles and nitrile/butyl rubber protective gloves must be worn, and the work environment must be well-ventilated.
- Storage Conditions: Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place at temperatures between 5–35°C. Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, strong acids, and strong alkalis; prevent freezing.
- Compatibility: The product is nonionic and has good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants, making it widely applicable in various composite formulation systems.
- Usage Limits: When used in high-temperature, strong-alkali systems, pay attention to the cloud point limitation (65–75°C). Near or above the cloud point, the product may precipitate from the aqueous solution, affecting performance.
