Span S-20 laurate (Span 20) is a nonionic water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier with an HLB value of approximately 8.6. It is typically used via the oil-phase pre-dissolution method. In practice, it should be added to the oil phase component, heated to 40–60°C, and stirred until fully dissolved. Then, the water phase is slowly added to the oil phase under high-speed homogenization to form a stable W/O emulsion system. If used for O/W emulsions (requiring combination with high-HLB emulsifiers), it is recommended to pair it with Tween series (e.g., Tween-20, Tween-80) to achieve the desired hydrophilic-lipophilic balance.
Span S-20 laurate is a viscous liquid or waxy solid at room temperature. If solidification or crystallization occurs at low temperatures, it is recommended to preheat and melt it in a 20–35°C water bath. Do NOT use open flames or excessive heat (temperatures above 80°C may cause ester bond cleavage and affect emulsification performance). Stir thoroughly before feeding to ensure accurate and consistent addition amounts per batch. This product has good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants, allowing flexible compounding in complex formulations.
Important Note on Recommended Addition Amount: The product database of Guoli Chemical does not include specific recommended addition amounts for this product in various application fields. The following are reference dosage ranges based on general industry practices for surfactants and the HLB value (8.6) characteristics of this product. Actual dosage should be determined through experiments based on the formulation system.
| Parameter Item | Value/Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Sorbitan monolaurate |
| Ionic Type | Nonionic surfactant |
| HLB Value | Approx. 8.6 (Source: Guoli Chemical Product Database) |
| Appearance | Amber to pale yellow viscous liquid or waxy solid |
| Active Content | ≥99% |
| Monoester Content | ≥95% |
| Acid Value | ≤7.0 mgKOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 155–170 mgKOH/g |
| Hydroxyl Value | 330–360 mgKOH/g |
| Moisture | ≤1.5% |
| pH of 1% Aqueous Solution | 5.0–7.0 |
| Flash Point | >150℃ |
| Solubility | Soluble in oils and organic solvents; dispersible in water forming an emulsion |
Usage Method Overview: Add Span S-20 laurate to the oil phase according to the formulation amount, heat to 40–60°C with stirring to dissolve, then slowly add the water phase (or water phase containing hydrophilic emulsifiers) to the oil phase under high-speed homogenization. For O/W emulsions, combine with Tween series (HLB range typically 10–15).
General Reference Addition Amounts by Field (Industry experience, not from Guoli Chemical database):