Tween T-81 (Polyoxyethylene (5) sorbitan monooleate, CAS No. 9005-65-6) is a well-balanced water-in-oil nonionic surfactant, appearing as an amber oily liquid. With its unique molecular structure—grafting five polyoxyethylene chains and a monooleate group onto the sorbitan ring—it exhibits high efficiency, stability, and strong tolerance in various formulation systems, making it an indispensable functional auxiliary in multiple industrial fields.
The core process value of this product lies in its "multi-functionality in one agent": it can serve as an efficient emulsifier to uniformly disperse oils and essential oils in the aqueous phase, as a solubilizer to significantly enhance the transparency and stability of poorly soluble substances, and as an excellent wetting and dispersing agent to rapidly reduce interfacial tension and prevent solid particle agglomeration. Additionally, Tween T-81 remains active over a wide pH range, tolerating acidic, alkaline, and hard water environments, and when used in combination with the Span series, it allows flexible adjustment of the HLB value to achieve more precise emulsification.
| Industry Field | Specific Process/Product | Functional Role |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics and Personal Care | Creams, lotions, makeup removers, bath oils, shampoos, body washes | Lipophilic emulsifier, solubilizer, emollient, providing fine texture and smooth skin feel |
| Food Industry | Ice cream, margarine, bakery products | Food-grade emulsifier and stabilizer, evenly dispersing oils, improving mouthfeel and shape retention |
| Pharmaceutical Preparations | Oral preparations, topical drug delivery systems | Solubilizer and emulsifier, promoting dissolution and dispersion of poorly soluble ingredients, enhancing bioavailability |
| Pesticides and Agricultural Adjuvants | Emulsifiable concentrates, microemulsions, emulsion concentrates | Key emulsifier, ensuring uniform dispersion of technical materials, enhancing wetting, spreading, and penetration of the spray liquid |
| Coatings, Inks, and Pigments | Pigment dispersion, coating preparation | Pigment wetting dispersant and emulsion stabilizer, preventing floating and flooding, improving gloss and adhesion |
| Metalworking Fluids | Water-based cutting fluids, grinding fluids | Emulsion stabilizer and boundary lubrication auxiliary, extending tool life, providing anti-rust auxiliary function |
| Textile and Leather Processing | Spinning oils, softening finishes, leveling agents | Antistatic, smoothing, and emulsifying effects, reducing fiber friction, improving fabric hand feel |
In actual formulation design, it is recommended to use Tween T-81 in combination with the Span series (e.g., Span 80). By adjusting the ratio of the two, the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB value) of the system can be precisely controlled, thereby adapting to the emulsification requirements of different oil phases. In pesticide microemulsions and cosmetic cream systems, the recommended dosage of Tween T-81 is typically 2% to 8% of the total formula weight. The specific dosage should be optimized through experiments based on the oil phase type and desired emulsion type (O/W or W/O).
For transparent water-based products (e.g., makeup removers, body washes) that require solubilizing essential oils or fragrances, pre-mix Tween T-81 with the material to be solubilized at a ratio of 1:1 to 3:1, then slowly add water with dilution to obtain a clear and transparent solubilized system.
The above information is sourced from the product database of Haian Guoli Chemical Co., Ltd. For more detailed technical parameters or to obtain samples, please feel free to contact our technical team.