Span S-20 Lauric Acid is a nonionic water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier produced by the esterification reaction of lauric acid with sorbitan, appearing as an amber to light yellow viscous liquid, with an HLB value of about 8.6, widely used in cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, pesticides, and many other industries.
Detailed Description
Basic Information and Chemical Composition
Span S-20 Lauric Acid, chemical name Sorbitan Monolaurate, also known as Span 20, Sorbitan Monolaurate, CAS No. 1338-39-2, molecular formula C18H34O6, molecular weight 346.46. This product is refined by Guoli Chemical through esterification reaction, belongs to nonionic surfactant, and has a typical aliphatic ester odor.
Core Performance Characteristics
As a lipophilic emulsifier, Span S-20 has excellent water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifying performance, can form a stable interfacial film at the oil-water interface, and prepare fine and stable emulsion systems. It has excellent chemical stability, maintaining active stability in acid, alkali, and hard water media, while also having good wetting, dispersing, and solubilizing effects. Since it is nonionic, it can be well compounded with various anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, significantly improving formulation flexibility.
Application Fields Overview
With its outstanding performance, Span S-20 plays an important role in many industrial fields. In cosmetics and personal care products, it is an ideal emulsifier for creams, lotions, and sunscreen products; in the food industry, it is used as a food-grade emulsifier in baking fats, creamer, and other products; in the pharmaceutical field, it is used in cream and ointment bases to enhance drug dispersion uniformity. Additionally, it is widely used in textile auxiliaries, pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, pigment dispersion in coatings and inks, and emulsification and lubrication of metalworking fluids.
Technical Parameters
Physicochemical Indicators (Data Source: Guoli Chemical Product Database)
| Parameter Name | Specification Data |
|---|
| Appearance | Amber to light yellow viscous liquid or waxy solid |
| Ion Type | Nonionic |
| HLB Value | About 8.6 |
| Active Content | ≥99% |
| pH Value of 1% Aqueous Solution | 5.0 — 7.0 |
| Acid Value | ≤7.0 mgKOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 155 — 170 mgKOH/g |
| Hydroxyl Value | 330 — 360 mgKOH/g |
| Moisture Content | ≤1.5% |
| Iodine Value | ≤10 gI₂/100g |
| Freezing Point | <10°C |
| Flash Point | >150°C |
| Density (25°C) | About 1.0 — 1.1 g/cm³ |
| Kinematic Viscosity (25°C) | About 4000 — 6000 mPa·s |
| Solubility | Soluble in oils and organic solvents, dispersible in water to form an emulsion |
| Monoester Content | ≥95% |
| Heavy Metal Content | ≤20 ppm |
| Arsenic Content | ≤2 ppm |
| Packaging Specifications | 50kg / 200kg Plastic Drum |
| Shelf Life | 24 months from date of production (recommended storage temperature 5°C — 35°C) |
Application Recommendations
- Cosmetic Formulations: Recommended as the primary emulsifier for water-in-oil systems or compounded with Tween series (such as Tween-20) for preparing creams, lotions, and sunscreen products, imparting a fine skin feel and good stability to the product.
- Food Emulsification: Suitable for food systems such as baking fats, creamer, chocolate coatings, etc. Add as needed to promote uniform mixing of oil and water phases and prevent separation.
- Pharmaceutical Preparations: Used in topical cream, ointment, and suppository bases to enhance drug dispersion uniformity and transdermal absorption efficiency; dosage determined based on specific formulation.
- Pesticide Formulations: When preparing emulsifiable concentrates (EC) or water emulsions (EW), it is recommended to compound with hydrophilic emulsifiers to ensure spontaneous formation of stable emulsion upon dilution of pesticide active ingredients, improving field spraying effect.
- Coatings and Inks: When used as a pigment dispersant, add during the grinding stage to effectively reduce pigment particle agglomeration tendency, enhancing color development and storage stability.
- Metalworking Fluids: Used in emulsified cutting fluid and grinding fluid formulations to promote emulsification and dispersion of base oil, assisting in forming a stable protective film to reduce friction and corrosion.
Precautions
- Irritation Protection: This product is a Xi irritant chemical (R36/37/38), irritating to eyes, respiratory system, and skin. Wear chemical safety goggles, nitrile rubber or neoprene gloves, and long-sleeved work clothes during operation.
- Ventilation Conditions: Ensure good ventilation in the workplace, install local exhaust ventilation if necessary, and avoid inhalation of vapors or aerosols.
- Eye Contact Emergency: In case of eye contact, immediately open eyelids and rinse continuously with plenty of water or saline for at least 15 minutes, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Storage Requirements: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, maintain temperature between 5°C and 35°C, avoid freezing or continuous high temperature. Keep containers tightly closed, away from incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases.
- Packaging Material: Preferably use stainless steel, polyethylene, or lined iron drums; avoid using copper and its alloy containers.
- Spill Handling: In case of spill, contain and collect with inert absorbent materials (such as vermiculite, dry sand), avoid discharge into drains or water bodies, and dispose of according to local regulations.
