Question

What is Tween T-80? What are its main uses?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 吐温T-80

Tween T-80 is a classic nonionic surfactant (Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monooleate), widely used in many fields such as pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, textiles, coatings, pesticides, and industrial cleaning. Its core functions include efficient emulsification, solubilization, dispersion, and wetting.

Product Overview

Tween T-80 (also known as Polysorbate 80, Tween 80), with CAS number 9005-65-6, has the chemical name Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monooleate. Its unique molecular structure gives the product an excellent hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, making it a high-performance and versatile nonionic surfactant.

The product typically appears as a light yellow to amber viscous liquid. It is mildly toxic and maintains excellent stability in acidic, alkaline, and hard water environments. It is compatible with various ionic and nonionic additives and meets the green chemistry application requirements of multiple fields.

Core Application Areas

Pharmaceutical Preparations: Used as an efficient solubilizer and emulsifier in injections, oral liquids, and topical ointments, it can effectively enhance the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs and ensure the physical stability of the formulation.

Food Industry: As an emulsifier and stabilizer, it is widely used in products such as ice cream, baking fats, and beverages to improve texture and extend shelf life.

Cosmetics and Personal Care: Used as an emulsifier and solubilizer in creams, lotions, makeup removers, and perfumes, it helps to evenly disperse active ingredients and fragrances, providing a refreshing skin feel.

Textiles and Fibers: As an antistatic agent and softener component in synthetic fiber spinning oils, it reduces fiber friction, improving spinnability and fabric hand feel.

Coatings, Inks, and Cleaning: Acts as an efficient pigment dispersant and wetting agent in water-based coatings and inks; solubilizes hydrophobic oily dirt in industrial and household cleaners, enhancing cleaning performance.

Agricultural Chemicals: Used as an efficient emulsifier in pesticide emulsifiable concentrates and as a tank-mix spreader, it enhances the spreading, penetration, and adhesion of the spray solution on target surfaces, improving efficacy.

Petroleum and Industrial Lubrication: Functions as an emulsifier and lubricating component in drilling fluids and metalworking fluids, ensuring system stability and processing performance under extreme conditions.

Technical Parameters

ParameterDescription
Chemical NamePolyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monooleate
CAS Number9005-65-6
Product TypeNonionic Surfactant
Emulsion TypeO/W (Oil-in-Water) Emulsifier
Functional PropertiesEmulsification, Solubilization, Dispersion, Wetting
AppearanceLight Yellow to Amber Viscous Liquid
Chemical StabilityResistant to Acid, Alkali, and Hard Water

Application Recommendations

The dosage of Tween T-80 should be determined based on the specific formulation and application scenario. In emulsification applications, it is typically added at 5%-20% by weight of the oil phase. When used as a solubilizer, the recommended dosage is 1-5 times the weight of the substance to be solubilized. The specific dosage should be optimized through experimentation to achieve the best ratio. The product can be used in combination with the Span series to adjust the HLB value of the system for more ideal emulsification results.

Precautions

  • Recommended storage temperature: 10-30°C. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, keeping containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination.
  • It is recommended to wear chemical protective gloves and goggles during handling. Avoid direct contact with eyes and skin, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • Keep away from heat sources, sparks, open flames, and incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers.
  • Prevent spills from entering drainage systems, surface water, and groundwater. Large spills may form a physical film on the water surface, affecting oxygen exchange.
  • This product has low toxicity to aquatic organisms, but do not discharge untreated product directly into the environment.