Question

What are the physicochemical technical parameters of Stearic Acid Polyoxyethylene Ether SG-9?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 硬脂酸聚氧乙烯醚SG-9

Stearic Acid Polyoxyethylene Ether SG-9 is a nonionic surfactant. Key physicochemical parameters include HLB value of about 11.6, cloud point of about 85–95°C, melting point of 28–35°C, and its aqueous solution (1%/5%) is weakly acidic to neutral.

Detailed Description

Stearic Acid Polyoxyethylene Ether SG-9 (CAS No.: 9004-99-3), chemically named Polyoxyethylene (9) Stearate, with molecular formula C18H35O2(OCH2CH2)nOH (where n≈9), and molecular weight about 600. The product appears as a white to light yellow flaky solid, easily soluble in water, ethanol, acetone and other organic solvents. It has excellent chemical stability, resistant to acid, alkali and hard water.

As a nonionic surfactant, SG-9 has an HLB value of about 11.6, belonging to the category of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifiers. Its critical micelle concentration (CMC) is about 0.07 g/L, and surface tension is about 31 mN/m, demonstrating good surface activity. The product exhibits low foam and low hygroscopicity, making it suitable for industrial scenarios requiring foam control.

In terms of purity and composition, SG-9 has an active content ≥99%, with monoester content ≥80%, diester content ≤20%, and free alcohol ≤3%. The heavy metal and arsenic contents are controlled at very low levels (heavy metals ≤10 mg/kg, arsenic ≤2 mg/kg), meeting strict safety standards for cosmetic and personal care raw materials.

Technical Parameters

Parameter Value Remark/Condition
Appearance White to light yellow flaky solid Room temperature
HLB value About 11.6 Theoretical value
Cloud point About 85–95°C 1% aqueous solution
Melting point 28–35°C
Density About 0.99 g/cm³ 25°C
Refractive index 1.450–1.460 25°C
Flash point >180°C Closed cup method
pH value (1%/5% aqueous solution) 5.0–7.0 25°C
Acid value ≤2 mg KOH/g
Saponification value 90–100 mg KOH/g
Hydroxyl value 70–80 mg KOH/g
Iodine value ≤2
Kinematic viscosity About 30–40 mm²/s 40°C
Surface tension About 31 mN/m 25°C, 1% aqueous solution
Critical micelle concentration (CMC) About 0.07 g/L 25°C
Moisture content ≤0.5% Karl Fischer method
Active content ≥99% Solid content
Monoester content ≥80%
Diester content ≤20%
Free alcohol ≤3%
Unsaturation ≤0.08 mol/kg
Heavy metals ≤10 mg/kg As Pb
Arsenic (As) ≤2 mg/kg
Ion type Nonionic
Chemical stability Stable, resistant to acid, alkali, hard water Not resistant to strong alkali
Foam property Low foam Ross-Miles method
Solubility Easily soluble in water, ethanol, acetone, etc.
Packaging specification 50kg/200kg plastic drum, IBC tote Guoli Chemical standard packaging

Application Recommendations

Based on the HLB value (about 11.6) and physicochemical properties of SG-9, this product is particularly suitable as a primary emulsifier or co-emulsifier in O/W emulsification systems. In cosmetic creams and lotions, the recommended dosage is 1%–5%. It can be used alone or combined with low HLB emulsifiers to broaden the emulsification range. In textile oils and metalworking fluids, the recommended dosage is 2%–8%, leveraging its excellent emulsifying, dispersing and antistatic properties.

Due to its melting point of 28–35°C, it may be solid at low temperatures. Before use, it is recommended to gently heat and melt at 30–40°C with stirring to avoid local overheating leading to degradation. When adding to formulations, it can be pre-dissolved in the oil phase, then emulsified with the water phase.

Precautions

  • This product is moderately irritating to eyes, and slightly irritating to skin and respiratory tract. Chemical safety goggles and protective gloves should be worn during operation.
  • Storage environment should be cool, dry, and ventilated, with temperature not exceeding 35°C. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture.
  • This product is not resistant to strong alkali. If strong alkalis such as high concentration sodium hydroxide are present in the formulation, it may cause hydrolysis of ester bonds, affecting product performance.
  • The product has good biodegradability (>60%, OECD 301B), but direct discharge into water bodies without treatment should still be avoided to prevent harm to aquatic organisms (LC50 fish >10–100 mg/L, 96h).