Polyether L-62 (Poloxamer 182) belongs to the Pluronic L series and is one of the more lipophilic members. Its polyoxyethylene (EO) block content is about 20%, and its polyoxypropylene (PO) block content is about 80%. Compared to L-61 (approximately 10% EO) in the same series, which has a lower EO content, L-62 offers better water dispersibility, forming stable emulsions in water without requiring a large amount of co-solvent, significantly improving ease of use. Compared to L-64 (approximately 40% EO), which has a higher EO content, L-62 has more prominent low-foaming characteristics, making it especially suitable for spray cleaning and high-pressure operation systems with strict foam control requirements.
In practical applications, the cloud point of L-62 is about 32°C (1% aqueous solution), which falls within the common operating temperature range of many industrial cleaning and metalworking fluids. When the operating temperature exceeds the cloud point, L-62 precipitates from the aqueous phase, and its surface activity drops sharply, creating a unique "cloud point defoaming effect"—a temperature-responsive self-regulating defoaming capability that is not available in similar polyethers with higher EO content.
| Parameter | Polyether L-62 | Comparison Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ionic Type | Non-ionic | Widely compatible with acids, bases, and electrolytes |
| HLB Value | Approximately 7 | Low, suitable for W\/O emulsification and defoaming applications |
| Cloud Point (1% aqueous solution) | Approximately 32°C | Low cloud point, with built-in thermal defoaming function |
| Molecular Weight | Approximately 2500 | Medium molecular weight, balancing permeability and film strength |
| Foam Characteristics | Low foaming | Superior to similar polyethers with higher EO content |
| Active Content | ≥99% | High purity, offering great formulation flexibility |
| Surface Tension (0.1%, 25°C) | Approximately 40 mN\/m | Good wetting and spreading ability |
| Pour Point | Approximately -20°C | Strong low-temperature fluidity, convenient for winter use |
| Flash Point (Closed Cup) | >150°C | Higher safety factor in high-temperature processing scenarios |
The core logic for choosing Polyether L-62 is "low-foaming priority"—when your application scenario has extremely low tolerance for foam (such as high-pressure spraying, rapid circulation pumping, closed systems), and the operating temperature may frequently exceed 30°C, L-62 is the optimal choice. Specific scenarios include: formulation of metal cutting fluids and grinding fluids, construction of water-based defoamer concentrates, textile pretreatment scouring agent formulations, and low-foaming emulsifying aids for pesticide soluble concentrates. If your application requires complete water solubility at room temperature and high emulsification stability, it is recommended to choose similar products with higher HLB values, such as Polyether L-64 or L-44.