Span 80 is a classic non-ionic water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier, chemically known as Sorbitan Monooleate, with CAS number 1338-43-8. It appears as a viscous liquid ranging from amber to brown, with an HLB value of only 4.3, offering excellent oil affinity and broad industrial applicability.
Detailed Description
Span 80 is a classic non-ionic surfactant produced by Guoli Chemical, chemically named Sorbitan Monooleate, with molecular formula C24H44O6 and molecular weight 428.61. It is produced by esterifying sorbitan with oleic acid, and appears as a yellow to amber viscous liquid, characterized by low hygroscopicity and good chemical stability. As a food additive, its international number is E494, and it has a wide and mature application history both domestically and internationally.
The core function of this product lies in its excellent water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifying ability—forming a stable interfacial film at the oil-water interface, dispersing the aqueous phase uniformly in the oil phase. Its HLB value is only 4.3, meaning it has much stronger lipophilicity than hydrophilicity, thus it is poorly soluble in water but very soluble in various oils, mineral oils, and organic solvents. Under acidic, alkaline, and hard water conditions, Span 80 maintains stable surface activity, adapting to harsh industrial conditions. In addition, it also possesses multiple functions such as good dispersion, wetting, lubrication, and antistatic properties.
In practical applications, Span 80 is often used in combination with hydrophilic emulsifiers (such as the Tween series, i.e., polysorbates). By adjusting the ratio, composite emulsifying systems with different HLB values can be obtained, flexibly meeting formulation needs in various fields, from cosmetic creams and food emulsified oils to pesticide emulsifiable concentrates and industrial lubricants.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Indicator (Typical Value/Range) |
|---|
| Chemical Name | Sorbitan Monooleate |
| CAS Number | 1338-43-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C24H44O6 |
| Molecular Weight | 428.61 |
| Appearance | Yellow to amber viscous liquid |
| Ion Type | Non-ionic |
| HLB Value | 4.3 |
| Active Content | ≥98% |
| Acid Value | ≤10 mgKOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 145~160 mgKOH/g |
| Hydroxyl Value | 200~240 mgKOH/g |
| Iodine Value | 65~85 gI2/100g |
| Moisture | ≤1.5% |
| Density (25°C) | 0.98~1.05 g/cm³ |
| Kinematic Viscosity (25°C) | 1000~2000 mm²/s |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.476~1.478 |
| Melting Point | 10~12°C |
| Flash Point (Closed Cup) | >150°C |
| Monoester Content | ≥80% |
| Solubility | Soluble in oils and organic solvents, poorly soluble in water |
| Foaming Property | Low foaming |
| Heavy Metals | ≤10 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤2 mg/kg |
| Packaging Specification | 50kg/200kg plastic drum |
Application Recommendations
Span 80 covers multiple industries, typical application scenarios and recommendations are as follows:
- Cosmetics and Personal Care: Used as a primary or auxiliary emulsifier in creams, lotions, sunscreens, and color cosmetics, recommended to be combined with the Tween series (e.g., Tween-80) to achieve a wider HLB range and finer emulsion structure.
- Food Industry: As food additive E494, suitable for baking fats, non-dairy creamers, confectionery chocolate, and other food emulsification systems, improving oil-water dispersion and product texture.
- Pesticide Formulations: Acts as an emulsifier in pesticide emulsifiable concentrates (EC), allowing the active ingredient to fully dissolve in organic solvents and spontaneously form a stable emulsion upon dilution, ensuring field application effectiveness.
- Industrial Lubricants: Used in rust preventive oils, cutting fluids, hydraulic fluids, etc., to improve compatibility between additives and base oil, enhancing rust protection and lubrication performance.
- Pharmaceutical Formulations: As a pharmaceutical excipient, used in ointment bases, suppositories, and other drug carriers to help evenly distribute active ingredients in hydrophobic substrates.
- Textile Industry: As a smoothing and softening agent in fiber oils and spinning finishes, reducing fiber friction and preventing static electricity.
- Plastic Processing: Used as an internal lubricant and antistatic agent, reducing surface resistance, improving mold release and surface gloss of products.
Precautions
- Safety Protection: This product may cause skin irritation (H315), serious eye irritation (H319), and respiratory irritation (H335). Wear protective gloves, goggles, and protective clothing during operation, and ensure good ventilation in the work area.
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, keep container tightly closed, recommended storage temperature below 40°C. Keep away from strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases, and other incompatible substances.
- Alkaline Sensitivity: Span 80 contains ester bonds in its molecule, which can be hydrolyzed under strong alkaline conditions. Prolonged contact with strong bases should be avoided in formulation design.
- Low Temperature Effect: The product has a melting point of 10~12°C. Under low-temperature environments, solidification or turbidity may occur, which is a normal physical change. Warm up appropriately before use to restore fluidity without affecting product performance.
- Eye Emergency: In case of accidental eye contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing and seek medical attention.
