What are the main characteristics of Tween T-81?

Tween T-81 is a well-balanced nonionic water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier, featuring core characteristics such as efficient emulsification and solubilization, excellent wetting and dispersion, strong chemical stability, and multifunctionality.

Detailed Description

Tween T-81 (Polysorbate 81), with the chemical name Polyoxyethylene (5) sorbitan monooleate, is a nonionic surfactant that appears as an amber oily liquid. With its unique molecular structure—sorbitan as the backbone, grafted with 5 ethylene oxide units and capped with monooleate—this product exhibits excellent application performance in various formulation systems.

Its most central feature lies in efficient emulsification and solubilization ability: it has excellent emulsifying capability for various oils and essential oils, while also acting as a solubilizer to significantly improve the transparency and stability of poorly soluble substances, resulting in fine, uniform emulsions or solutions. In addition, Tween T-81 possesses excellent wetting and dispersing properties, quickly reducing interfacial tension, effectively wetting solid particle surfaces, preventing agglomeration, and ensuring long-term stable dispersion of pigments, fillers, or active ingredients in the system.

Another major advantage of Tween T-81 is its excellent chemical stability: it remains active over a wide pH range, withstands acidic, alkaline, and hard water environments, and does not easily react with other electrolytes, providing strong formulation adaptability. At the same time, this product combines multiple functions such as emulsification, solubilization, wetting, and dispersion, and when compounded with various types of surfactants—especially the Span series (sorbitan fatty acid esters)—it can flexibly adjust the HLB value to achieve more precise emulsification effects, demonstrating good synergistic effects.

Technical Parameters

Application Suggestions

Tween T-81 is widely used in the following industries:

• Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Used as an emulsifier and wetting agent in creams, lotions, makeup removers, and bath oils, providing a pleasant skin feel.
• Food Industry: As a food-grade emulsifier and stabilizer, applicable to ice cream, margarine, and baked goods, improving texture and shape retention.
• Pharmaceutical Preparations: Used as a solubilizer and emulsifier in oral and topical formulations to improve drug dispersion and bioavailability.
• Pesticides and Agricultural Adjuvants: Used in pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, aqueous emulsions, and microemulsions to enhance wetting, spreading, and penetration properties of the spray solution.
• Coatings, Inks, and Pigments: As a pigment wetting and dispersing agent to prevent floating and flooding, improving color uniformity and storage stability.
• Metalworking Fluids: Provides excellent emulsification, lubrication, and anti-rust auxiliary functions in cutting and grinding fluids, extending tool life.
• Textile and Leather Processing: Used as a component of leveling agents, softeners, and antistatic agents to enhance textile treatment effects.

Precautions

Hazard Warning: Tween T-81 may cause serious eye irritation (H319), signal word "Warning". During operation, it is recommended to wear chemical safety goggles and appropriate protective gloves to avoid direct contact with eyes and skin. In case of eye contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention if eye irritation persists. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place with the container tightly closed. The storage temperature should be controlled between 5°C and 30°C, avoiding freezing and overheating.