Polyether L-45 (Poloxamer\/Pluronic L-45) is a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer nonionic surfactant with a molecular weight between 2000 and 3000 and an HLB value of 11 to 13. It is a low-foaming product with moderate hydrophilicity. Its cloud point is 65 to 75°C (1% aqueous solution). It can dissolve and disperse in water at room temperature and is also soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. Due to its high kinematic viscosity (500 to 1000 mm²\/s at 25°C), its fluidity further decreases at low temperatures. Therefore, it is recommended to store the product in an environment of 15 to 35°C before compounding, or warm it appropriately in a warm water bath to a flowable state before use.
Polyether L-45 exhibits excellent emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, and low-foaming properties, especially suitable for industrial scenarios with strict foam control requirements such as high-pressure spray cleaning and metalworking fluids. It has outstanding acid and alkali resistance, maintains chemical stability under dilute alkaline conditions, and has strong hard water resistance, with unaffected activity in environments with calcium and magnesium ions. Therefore, process water without softening can be directly used for preparation. In actual operation, it is recommended to first premix and stir Polyether L-45 with other liquid components (such as water, solvents, or liquid auxiliaries) until uniform, then gradually add powders or other additives to ensure thorough dispersion and optimal surface activity.
| Parameter Item | Indicator | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid | — |
| Ionic Type | Nonionic | Compatible with anionic\/cationic\/nonionic additives |
| HLB Value | 11 to 13 | Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, suitable for O\/W emulsification |
| Active Content | ≥99% | (From Guoli Chemical Product Database) |
| Cloud Point (1% Aqueous Solution) | 65 to 75°C | Operating temperature should be lower than cloud point to maintain activity |
| pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution) | 5.0 to 7.5 | Nearly neutral, minimal impact on system acidity or alkalinity |
| Surface Tension (0.1%, 25°C) | 30 to 35 mN\/m | Strong wetting and spreading ability |
| Density (25°C) | 1.02 to 1.06 g\/cm³ | — |
| Kinematic Viscosity (25°C) | 500 to 1000 mm²\/s | High viscosity, preheating recommended for dispensing |
| Flash Point | >200°C | Relatively safe for high-temperature operations |
| Foam Characteristics | Low foam | Suitable for spray and high-pressure systems |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, ethanol, ether, etc. | — |
| Acid and Alkali Stability | Stable in dilute alkali | Avoid contact with strong acids, strong alkalis, and strong oxidizers |
As a low-foaming wetting and penetrating agent, the recommended dosage is 0.5% to 3% of the total formulation weight. Operation method: Add Polyether L-45 to deionized water or process water under stirring. After complete dissolution, sequentially add alkaline additives (such as sodium hydroxide, sodium metasilicate), chelating agents, and other surfactants, and stir evenly to obtain the cleaning working solution. When used for spray cleaning of metal surfaces and hard surfaces, it can significantly enhance the penetration, emulsification, and stripping efficiency of heavy oil stains. The recommended operating temperature is 50 to 65°C, avoiding exceeding the cloud point to prevent reduced activity.
Utilizing its excellent ability to reduce surface tension, the rinse water film spreads uniformly and quickly detaches from the dish surface. The recommended dosage is 2% to 5% of the rinse aid formulation, or directly added as a rinse aid in the final rinse water at a concentration of 0.01% to 0.05%. It can be compounded with food-grade organic acids (such as citric acid) to enhance gloss and prevent water spots.
Combining lubrication, cooling, and foam suppression functions, it is suitable for preparing semi-synthetic and fully synthetic cutting fluids. The recommended dosage is 1% to 4% of the concentrate. Preparation method: First, mix Polyether L-45 evenly with base oil (mineral oil or synthetic ester), then add emulsifiers, rust inhibitors, extreme pressure additives, and other components, and finally dilute with water to form the working fluid. Its low-foaming property can effectively inhibit foam overflow during high-pressure spray and high-speed cutting processes, ensuring processing stability. The working fluid concentration is usually 3% to 8%.
Used as a penetrating and dispersing agent in desizing, scouring, and bleaching processes. The recommended dosage is 0.2% to 1.0% of the working fluid. In the scouring process, Polyether L-45 helps the alkali liquor penetrate rapidly into the fiber interior, efficiently removing natural impurities such as cotton wax and pectin; in the bleaching process, its dispersing ability suspends decomposed impurities, preventing secondary contamination of the fabric. It can be used in combination with hydrogen peroxide stabilizers, scouring enzymes, and other additives, with a wide applicable pH range and stability in alkaline scouring baths.
Enables oily pesticide technical materials (such as emulsifiable concentrates and microemulsions) to automatically disperse into uniform emulsions with stable particle size in water. The recommended dosage is 3% to 8% of the total pesticide formulation. Preparation method: Mix Polyether L-45 with pesticide technical material and solvent, stirring evenly to form a homogeneous oil phase; during field application, dilute with water, and the pesticide emulsion forms automatically without easy stratification or precipitation. It is generally recommended to compound with emulsifiers of lower HLB value (such as anionic calcium salt types) for broader emulsification adaptability.
As a base carrier or synergistic component in defoamer formulations, it has extremely low foaming tendency and can synergistically control foam with silicone defoaming actives or mineral oil. The recommended dosage is 10% to 30% of the defoamer formulation. Typical preparation method: Mix Polyether L-45 with hydrophobic silica, silicone actives, mineral oil, etc., under stirring, then