Span S-20 Coconut Fatty Acid (CAS: 1338-39-2), also known as sorbitan monolaurate, Span 20, etc., is a non-ionic surfactant produced by Haian Guoli Chemical Co., Ltd. This product is derived from coconut fatty acid, a renewable resource. At room temperature, it appears as an amber viscous liquid with good environmental friendliness.
As a typical W/O emulsifier, Span S-20 Coconut Fatty Acid possesses several outstanding functional properties: First, it has excellent water-in-oil emulsifying ability, capable of constructing a stable, fine, and uniform micro-emulsion system. Second, its superior dispersing and wetting performance effectively reduces interfacial tension, promoting uniform dispersion of functional components such as pigments and fillers in the system. In addition, it exhibits excellent compatibility stability, able to withstand high-concentration electrolytes, acidic/alkaline environments, and hard water conditions. Moreover, based on its coconut fatty acid ester structure, it also has good skin mildness.
Span S-20 Coconut Fatty Acid has a wide range of applications, covering multiple industrial fields:
Personal Care & Cosmetics: Used in skin care creams and lotions to build stable water-in-oil systems, imparting a light feel; effectively disperses inorganic sunscreens and pigments in sunscreen and color cosmetics, improving uniformity and skin adhesion durability; solubilizes silicone oils and fatty components in shampoo and hair care products, enhancing combing smoothness; aids in emulsifying emollient oils and solubilizing fragrances in bath products.
Agrochemicals: As a pesticide emulsifier, emulsifies active ingredients to form stable emulsions, enhancing wetting and spreading ability on crop surfaces, improving efficacy.
Industrial Applications: Provides emulsifying, lubricating, and dispersing properties in metalworking fluids, suitable for cutting fluids and grinding fluids; wets and disperses pigment particles in paints and inks, preventing flocculation and floating, improving storage stability and tinting strength; penetrates and solubilizes heavy oil stains in industrial cleaners, enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Textile Industry: Used as a textile finishing agent to promote uniform adsorption of auxiliary components on fiber surfaces, imparting a smooth and soft hand feel to fabrics.
Span S-20 Coconut Fatty Acid is a non-hazardous chemical, non-flammable, and chemically stable at room temperature and pressure. Acute oral toxicity is practically non-toxic (rat LD50 > 5 g/kg), skin irritation evaluation shows non-irritating (PII = 0), and eye irritation and skin sensitization evaluations are negative. Storage temperature is recommended to be kept at 5–40°C, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles that may affect quality. It is recommended to wear chemical safety goggles during operation; although the product is mild, unnecessary direct contact should be avoided.