Span S-80 (sorbitan monooleate, CAS No.: 1338-43-8) is a classic nonionic surfactant, valued for its excellent water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifying capability and broad formulation compatibility, making it an indispensable functional additive in many industrial fields. It appears as an amber to brown viscous liquid with a low HLB value (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance), giving it outstanding oil phase affinity and dispersing properties.
The core value of Span S-80 lies in its unique molecular structure, which forms a stable interfacial film at the oil-water interface, achieving efficient W/O emulsification at low dosages and significantly enhancing the stability and fineness of the emulsion system. At the same time, it also possesses multiple functions such as excellent dispersion, wetting, lubrication, and antistatic properties, and has good compatibility with various oils, waxes, and organic solvents, allowing flexible application in various formulation systems.
More importantly, Span S-80 maintains stable surface activity under acidic, alkaline, and hard water conditions, enabling it to adapt to various harsh industrial environments. This is a key reason for its long-standing popularity across so many industries.
| Industry | Specific Process/Product | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics & Personal Care | Skin creams, sunscreens, lotions, makeup | Provides a stable W/O emulsified structure, giving the product good spreadability, moisturizing feel, and long-lasting hydration effect |
| Food Industry | Bakery fats, creamers, candies, chocolate | Improves oil-water dispersion, enhances product texture and mouthfeel stability |
| Pharmaceutical Preparations | Ointment bases, suppositories, creams | Helps uniformly distribute active pharmaceutical ingredients in hydrophobic matrices, enhances transdermal absorption, and improves formulation uniformity and stability |
| Agrochemicals | Pesticide emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsifiable concentrates | Allows active ingredients to fully dissolve in organic solvents, spontaneously forming stable emulsions upon dilution, ensuring efficacy during field application |
| Industrial Lubricants | Rust preventive oils, cutting fluids, hydraulic fluids, and other petroleum-based products | Improves compatibility between additives and base oils, maintains oil uniformity, and enhances rust protection and lubricating performance |
| Textile Industry | Fiber lubricants, spin finishes | Acts as a smoothing and softening agent component, reduces fiber friction, prevents static electricity, and improves fabric hand feel and spinnability |
| Plastics & Polymers | Internal lubricants in plastic processing, antistatic treatment | Reduces surface resistance, eliminates static charge buildup, while improving mold release and surface gloss of the product |
As a W/O emulsifier, Span S-80 is typically recommended to be used in combination with Tween series (e.g., Tween T-80). By adjusting the ratio of the two, emulsifying systems with different HLB values can be obtained, meeting various emulsification needs from pure W/O to O/W. In cosmetic cream formulations, the recommended dosage is usually 1%-5% of the system; in pesticide ECs, the usage is generally 5%-15%; in industrial lubricants, the recommended addition is 0.5%-3%. The specific dosage should be optimized according to the formulation system and process conditions.