Span S-20 laurate is a nonionic water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier with an HLB value of approximately 8.6, combining excellent emulsifying, dispersing, wetting, and solubilizing functions. It has strong chemical stability, broad compatibility with various surfactants, low toxicity and low irritation, and is widely used in daily chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, pesticides, coatings, metal processing, and many other industries.
Detailed Description
Span S-20 laurate, chemically known as sorbitan monolaurate (CAS No.: 1338-39-2), is a nonionic surfactant refined from lauric acid and sorbitan through an esterification reaction. The product appears as a light yellow to amber viscous liquid with a typical aliphatic ester odor. As a water-in-oil emulsifier, its core capability lies in forming a stable interfacial film at the oil-water interface, thereby producing a fine and stable emulsion system.
One of the most notable features of this product is its excellent chemical stability and compatibility. It remains stable in acidic, alkaline, and hard water media, ensuring long-lasting performance in complex formulations. Additionally, its nonionic nature allows it to be freely compounded with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants, greatly enhancing formulation design flexibility. Furthermore, Span S-20 also possesses good wetting, dispersing, and solubilizing auxiliary functions, effectively reducing interfacial tension and improving the suspension of powders in liquids.
In terms of safety, Span S-20 is a low-toxicity, low-irritation surfactant that meets the excipient standards for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. It also exhibits excellent temperature tolerance, maintaining stable emulsifying activity over a wide range of processing temperatures. It should be noted that the product still has some irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, so personal protective measures should be taken during handling.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter Item | Parameter Details |
|---|
| Product Name | Span S-20 Laurate (Span 20) |
| Chemical Name | Sorbitan Monolaurate |
| CAS No. | 1338-39-2 |
| Product Type | Nonionic Surfactant |
| HLB Value | Approximately 8.6 |
| Emulsion Type | Water-in-Oil (W/O) |
| Appearance | Light yellow to amber viscous liquid |
| Odor | Typical aliphatic ester odor |
| Ionicity | Nonionic |
| pH Adaptability | Stable emulsification efficiency in neutral to acidic range |
| Hazard Symbol | Xi (Irritant) |
| Storage Temperature | Recommended 5°C to 35°C |
| Shelf Life | 24 months from production date |
Application Recommendations
The core applications of Span S-20 revolve around its W/O emulsifying capability:
- Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Used in creams, lotions, sunscreens, and cosmetic bases to provide fine skin feel and good stability.
- Food Industry: As a food-grade emulsifier for bakery fats, non-dairy creamers, chocolate coatings, and beverage emulsions to prevent oil-water separation.
- Pharmaceutical Preparations: Used as an emulsifying and solubilizing component in topical creams, ointments, and suppository bases to enhance drug dispersion uniformity and transdermal absorption efficiency.
- Textile Auxiliaries: Helps stably disperse silicone oils or waxes in aqueous phases in softener and antistatic agent formulations.
- Pesticide Formulations: Compounded with hydrophilic surfactants to ensure spontaneous formation of stable emulsions when pesticide emulsifiable concentrates and aqueous emulsions are diluted.
- Coatings and Inks: Acts as a pigment dispersant and wetting agent to reduce pigment particle agglomeration, enhancing color development and storage stability.
- Metalworking Fluids: Provides emulsification and lubrication in cutting fluids, grinding fluids, and rust preventives, reducing friction and corrosion.
Precautions
- Irritating to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract (R36/37/38). Wear protective gloves, goggles, and protective clothing during handling; ensure adequate ventilation.
- In case of eye contact, immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice; for skin contact, wash with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, keep containers tightly closed, and keep away from strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases, and other incompatible substances.
- Avoid freezing or prolonged high temperatures (above 35°C) to prevent affecting the product's emulsifying performance.
- Packaging materials should preferably be stainless steel, polyethylene, or lined steel drums; avoid using copper and its alloys.
- For more detailed information, refer to the product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
