Polyether L-62 (Poloxamer 182) is a nonionic low-foaming surfactant produced by Guoli Chemical. Its chemical name is polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer, with CAS number 9003-11-6.
Detailed Description
Polyether L-62 (also known as Poloxamer 182, Pluronic L-62, Poloxamer 182) is a nonionic polymeric surfactant, whose molecules consist of alternating block copolymers of hydrophilic polyoxyethylene (EO) segments and hydrophobic polyoxypropylene (PO) segments, with a molecular weight of approximately 2500. At room temperature, it appears as a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid, hygroscopic, with a pour point of about -20°C.
The most outstanding feature of this product is its low foaming property — its cloud point is about 32°C (1% aqueous solution), with an HLB value of 7, which makes it excellent in applications requiring rapid foam breaking or maintaining low foam. At the same time, Polyether L-62 also possesses excellent emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, and leveling abilities, with good tolerance to acids, alkalis, and hard water, making it highly versatile.
With its unique molecular structure and performance combination, Polyether L-62 is widely used in eight major fields: metalworking fluids, industrial low-foaming cleaning agents, defoamers, textile auxiliaries, cosmetics, pesticide formulations, coatings, and pharmaceutical excipients. It is a multifunctional industrial surfactant raw material.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter Item | Specification |
|---|
| Ionic Type | Nonionic |
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid |
| CAS Number | 9003-11-6 |
| Molecular Weight | Approx. 2500 |
| HLB Value | 7 |
| Cloud Point (1% aqueous solution) | Approx. 32°C |
| Active Content | ≥99% |
| pH Value (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0-7.5 |
| pH Value (5% aqueous solution) | 5.0-7.0 |
| Hydroxyl Value | 40-50 mgKOH/g |
| Density (25°C) | 1.03-1.05 g/cm³ |
| Kinematic Viscosity (25°C) | Approx. 400 mm²/s |
| Pour Point | Approx. -20°C |
| Flash Point (Closed Cup) | >150°C |
| Surface Tension (0.1% aqueous solution, 25°C) | Approx. 40 mN/m |
| Critical Micelle Concentration CMC (25°C) | Approx. 1.1×10⁻⁴ mol/L |
| Moisture Content | ≤0.5% |
| Acid Value | ≤0.1 mgKOH/g |
| Saponification Value | ≤2 mgKOH/g |
| Iodine Value | ≤1 gI₂/100g |
| Heavy Metals | ≤20 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤2 mg/kg |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, ethanol, ether, and other organic solvents |
| Foaming Characteristics | Low foaming |
| Chemical Stability | Stable under normal storage conditions |
Application Recommendations
- Metalworking Fluids (Cutting Fluids, Grinding Fluids): Used as a low-foaming lubricating cooling component. Recommended dosage should be adjusted according to the formula. It effectively inhibits foam generation during processing and improves workpiece surface finish.
- Industrial Low-Foaming Cleaners: Suitable for spray and high-pressure cleaning formulations, providing excellent wetting, penetration, and detergency while maintaining a low-foam system.
- Defoamers and Antifoaming Agents: Can serve as a core raw material or synergistic component in water-based foam control formulations, utilizing its dual functions of foam breaking and foam suppression.
- Textile Auxiliaries: Used as a component in scouring agents and leveling agents to improve fabric wetting and penetration, meeting the low-foam requirements of pretreatment and dyeing processes.
- Cosmetic Emulsifiers: Suitable for formulations such as creams and lotions, providing mild emulsifying and dispersing properties and a soft skin feel.
- Pesticide Soluble Concentrates: Enhances emulsification, dispersion, wetting, and spreading properties of formulations while avoiding excessive foaming during field application.
- Coatings and Inks: Used as a dispersant for pigments and fillers, reducing system foam and improving film leveling.
- Pharmaceutical Excipients: Used for solubilizing poorly soluble drugs or as a suppository base to modulate dissolution and release characteristics.
Precautions
- Safety Protection: Polyether L-62 is classified as GHS Category 2 skin irritant and 2A eye irritant. Wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and face shield during handling. Avoid inhalation of vapors/spray.
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, away from fire and heat sources, protected from direct sunlight. Keep containers sealed. Store separately from oxidizing agents and acids.
- Fire Fighting Instructions: Combustible in the presence of open flames and high heat. Flash point >150°C. Use water spray, foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide, or sand for fire extinguishing.
- Spill Handling: For small spills, absorb with sand or other inert materials and collect. For large spills, contain with dikes and pump to a dedicated collector.
- Ecological Impact: Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects (H412). Avoid direct discharge into water bodies.
- Packaging Specifications: Guoli Chemical offers packaging in 50kg plastic drums, 200kg plastic drums, IBC totes, and other forms.
