Main components of Polyether L-62?

The main component of Polyether L-62 is an ABA-type triblock copolymer of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO) (PEO-PPO-PEO), with the chemical name Poloxamer 182, belonging to nonionic high-molecular-weight surfactants.

Detailed Description

Polyether L-62 (CAS No.: 9003-11-6) is a Poloxamer-type nonionic surfactant produced by Guoli Chemical. Its molecular structure consists of a central hydrophobic polypropylene oxide (PPO) segment and two hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO) segments at each end, forming a typical PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer structure. This unique "hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic" alternating structure endows it with excellent surface activity and low-foaming properties.

In the Poloxamer naming system, the three digits "182" reveal its composition ratio: the molecular weight of the polypropylene oxide (PPO) block is approximately 1750 (first digit × 100), and the polyethylene oxide (PEO) accounts for about 20% of the total molecular weight (last digit × 10%). In other words, the product consists of about 80% PPO hydrophobic segments and about 20% PEO hydrophilic segments, which determines its moderate HLB value and its tendency to defoam/antifoam in water.

Polyether L-62 appears as a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid. It is nonionic and exhibits good resistance to acids, alkalis, and hard water, and can be compounded with various ionic and nonionic additives. Its low-foaming and even defoaming surface-active characteristics make it widely used in metalworking fluids, industrial cleaners, defoamers, and other fields.

Technical Parameters

Application Suggestions

Due to the low PEO content (about 20%) and the dominant PPO hydrophobic segment, Polyether L-62 has a low HLB value and exhibits significant defoaming and foam-inhibiting properties in aqueous systems, making it especially suitable for the following scenarios:

• Metalworking Fluids: Used as a low-foaming lubricating and cooling component, maintaining very low foam even under high-pressure spray conditions, avoiding foam interference with machining accuracy.
• Industrial Low-Foam Cleaners: Provides excellent wetting and penetrating power without generating excessive foam, suitable for spray and high-pressure cleaning processes.
• Defoamer/Antifoam Formulations: Can be used as a core raw material or synergistic component in water-based defoamers, exerting both bubble-breaking and sustained foam-inhibiting effects.
• Textile Auxiliaries: Used as a low-foaming scouring agent and leveling agent component to avoid uneven dyeing caused by foam during the dyeing process.
• Agricultural Soluble Concentrates: Enhances emulsification, dispersion, wetting, and spreading, with low-foam properties not affecting field application operations.

Precautions

• The product has a flash point above 150°C and is combustible in the presence of open flames or high heat. Store away from ignition sources and heat.
• Causes skin and eye irritation (H315, H319). It is recommended to wear protective gloves and goggles during operation.
• Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects (H412). Do not discharge waste liquid directly into water bodies.
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, keep the container tightly sealed, and avoid direct sunlight.