What is Tween T-81? What are its main uses?

Tween T-81 is an amber oily liquid nonionic surfactant (Polyoxyethylene (5) sorbitan monooleate) with multiple functions such as efficient emulsifying, solubilizing, wetting, and dispersing, widely used in cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, coatings, metal processing and other industries.

Detailed Description

Tween T-81 (Polysorbate 81, CAS number: 9005-65-6) is a balanced nonionic surfactant produced by Haian Guoli Chemical Co., Ltd. Its chemical name is Polyoxyethylene (5) sorbitan monooleate, also known as Tween 81, PEG-5 Sorbitan Monooleate, POE (5) Sorbitan Monooleate. It appears as an amber oily liquid and belongs to the classic Tween series.

Due to its unique molecular structure, this product exhibits excellent comprehensive performance in formulation systems. It is a lipophilic-dominant emulsifier with outstanding emulsifying ability for various oils and essential oils, while also acting as a solubilizer to significantly improve the dispersion transparency and stability of poorly soluble substances. Its chemical stability is outstanding, maintaining activity over a wide pH range, tolerating acids, bases, and hard water environments, and is not easily reactive with electrolytes, providing strong formulation adaptability. Additionally, when used in combination with the Span series (sorbitan fatty acid esters), the HLB value can be flexibly adjusted to achieve more precise emulsification effects.

Technical Parameters

Application Suggestions

Due to its versatile properties, Tween T-81 is widely used as a key functional additive in the following industries:

• Cosmetics and Personal Care: As a lipophilic emulsifier and wetting agent in creams, lotions, makeup removers, and bath oils, providing a fine texture and pleasant skin feel; used as a solubilizer and superfatting agent in shampoos and body washes to improve foam structure.
• Food Industry: Used as a food-grade emulsifying stabilizer, suitable for ice cream, margarine, and baked goods, evenly dispersing oils and fats to improve texture and shape retention.
• Pharmaceutical Preparations: Acts as a solubilizer and emulsifier in oral and topical formulations, promoting the dissolution and dispersion of poorly soluble ingredients, improving drug bioavailability and formulation stability.
• Pesticides and Agricultural Adjuvants: Serves as a key emulsifier in emulsifiable concentrates, oil-in-water emulsions, and microemulsions, ensuring uniform dispersion of active ingredients and enhancing wetting, spreading, and penetration on target surfaces.
• Coatings, Inks, and Pigments: Used as a pigment wetting dispersant and emulsion stabilizer, improving system fluidity, preventing floating and flooding, and enhancing coating gloss and adhesion.
• Metalworking Fluids: Provides excellent emulsifying, lubricating, and anti-rust auxiliary functions in water-based metal cutting and grinding fluids, extending tool life.
• Textile and Leather Processing: Used as a component in leveling agents, softeners, and antistatic agents, reducing fiber friction, improving processing smoothness and fabric hand feel.

Precautions

Safety Warning: This product may cause serious eye irritation (H319). GHS pictogram is GHS07 (exclamation mark). Signal word: "Warning". Chemical safety goggles and protective gloves must be worn during operation. Avoid direct contact with eyes and skin. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes (remove contact lenses if present). If irritation persists after rinsing, seek medical attention immediately.

Storage Conditions: Store in sealed original packaging in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Storage temperature should be controlled between 5°C and 30°C. Avoid freezing and overheating. Keep away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers.

Compounding Suggestions: When used in combination with Span series products, the ratio can be flexibly adjusted according to the HLB requirement of the target system to achieve more precise emulsification and a more stable emulsion system.