Polyether L-64 is produced by block copolymerization of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide. At room temperature, it appears as a colorless to light yellow transparent liquid. Its unique molecular structure provides an excellent balance between interfacial activity, emulsifying, and dispersing capabilities, while also offering superior low-foaming properties and broad chemical compatibility, remaining stable against acids, alkalis, and hard water. These characteristics make it a versatile functional additive across industries and multiple process scenarios.
In industrial applications, the most prominent value of Polyether L-64 lies in its integrated foam control and wetting ability—it not only provides efficient substrate wetting and spreading but also maintains the working fluid foam at an extremely low level and rapidly eliminates foam. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for foam-sensitive systems such as high-pressure spray cleaning, CIP inline cleaning, and circulating metalworking fluids. In the personal care and pharmaceutical fields, its mild physiological properties and good toxicological safety make it a reliable emulsifying and solubilizing agent in facial cleansers, topical preparations, and oral liquids.
According to the Guoli Chemical Product Database, the applications of Polyether L-64 cover the entire industrial chain from heavy industry (metalworking fluids, industrial cleaning) to fine chemicals (coatings, inks, emulsion polymerization) and consumer end products (cosmetics, pharmaceutical excipients), making it a truly versatile platform-type surfactant.
| Industry/Field | Specific Process | Functional Role |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Cleaning | High-pressure spray cleaning, metal parts degreasing, CIP inline cleaning system, ultrasonic cleaning | Low-foaming wetting agent, emulsifier, detergency and degreasing component |
| Metalworking Fluids | Cutting, grinding, forming | Emulsifier, dispersant, lubricant additive, low-foaming wetting component |
| Water-based Coatings | Pigment dispersion, coating application, colorant preparation | Pigment wetting and dispersing agent, dynamic surface tension regulator, defoaming additive |
| Inks | Water-based inks, flexographic printing, gravure printing | Wetting and leveling agent, pigment dispersing aid, low-foaming regulator |
| Textile Auxiliaries | Pretreatment scouring, dyeing leveling, finishing | Low-foaming wetting penetrant, leveling agent, anti-redeposition agent |
| Emulsion Polymerization | Synthesis of polyacrylates, polyvinyl acetate, etc. | Nonionic emulsifier, latex stabilizer, particle size control additive |
| Defoamers | Fermentation, food processing, industrial cleaning defoaming systems | Defoamer component, carrier, synergist |
| Cosmetics & Personal Care | Facial cleansers, shampoos, body washes, makeup removers | Mild low-foaming surfactant, foam regulator, active ingredient solubilizing carrier |
| Pharmaceutical Preparations | Oral liquids, topical preparations | Solubilizer, emulsifier, micellar carrier |
| Agrochemical Formulations | Pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, soluble concentrates | Low-foaming wetting spreading agent, emulsifier |
Polyether L-64 is recommended to be added during the cooling or dilution stage of formulation development; moderate stirring ensures uniform dispersion. The specific dosage should be determined through experiments based on the formulation system and desired function. The product is insensitive to hard water ions, remains active over a wide pH range, and exhibits excellent compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants, allowing flexible compounding.
In defoaming and foam control applications, Polyether L-64 can be used directly as a defoamer component or as a carrier and synergist in combination with other active defoaming agents. In coatings and inks, it effectively reduces foam defects during spraying, roller coating, and other application processes, improving the surface quality of the coating film.