Tween T-60 (Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monostearate, CAS: 9005-67-8) is a polyol-based nonionic surfactant, formed by the condensation of sorbitan monostearate with ethylene oxide. With excellent emulsifying, solubilizing, dispersing, and antistatic properties, it plays a key role in multiple industrial fields and can be used in combination with various ionic and nonionic surfactants.
As an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier, Tween T-60 forms a stable interfacial film at the oil-water interface, significantly reducing interfacial tension; it also has good solubilizing and dispersing effects on insoluble oils, fragrances, and fat-soluble active substances, and is highly tolerant to acids, bases, and hard water environments.
| Industry | Specific Application Process/Product | Functional Role |
|---|---|---|
| Food Industry | Ice cream, cream, baking fats, frozen desserts, coffee creamers, dairy products, beverages | Emulsifier, stabilizer, improving texture, preventing oil-water separation, extending shelf life |
| Cosmetics and Personal Care | Facial creams, lotions, shampoos, body washes, color cosmetics | Emulsifier, solubilizer, helping oil-water mixing, making skin feel smooth and system stable |
| Pharmaceutical Preparations | Oral solutions, injections, ointments, and other oral and topical preparations | Solubilizer, emulsifier, improving the dispersion and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs |
| Textile Industry | Spinning, weaving, finishing processes | Leveling agent, wetting agent, antistatic agent, softener, improving fiber processing performance and fabric hand feel |
| Agricultural Chemicals | Emulsifiable concentrates (EC), microemulsions (ME), emulsions in water (EW), suspension concentrates (SC) | Emulsifier, helping pesticide active ingredients disperse uniformly, improving wetting and coverage ability |
| Plastics and Polymers | Plastic films, injection molding processing | Internal lubricant, antistatic agent, improving processing fluidity and surface quality of products |
The HLB value of Tween T-60 is moderate (approximately 14.9), making it particularly suitable for preparing O/W emulsion systems. In formulations, it is often used in combination with the Span series (e.g., Span S-60) to achieve a wider HLB range and better emulsion stability. Recommended storage temperature is 5°C to 35°C, avoid freeze-thaw cycles, and seal promptly after opening.