Tween T-85 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate) is a pale yellow to amber viscous liquid. It is a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of 11, providing emulsifying, solubilizing, wetting, and dispersing functions. Due to its characteristics of being easily soluble in oils and organic solvents and dispersible in water, the standard usage method is: first, add the product to the oil phase or organic phase according to the formula, stir thoroughly until completely dissolved, then slowly add this oil phase to the water phase under stirring to form a stable oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. If it needs to be used in combination with other emulsifiers (such as Span series), both can be added to the oil phase, stirred to dissolve, and then the emulsification process is carried out.
Tween T-85 has good resistance to acids, alkalis, and hard water, and has good compatibility with various ionic and nonionic additives. It can stably exert its emulsifying function over a wide pH range and under complex process conditions. The pH value of its 1% aqueous dispersion is between 5.0 and 7.0. It is in liquid state at room temperature (melting point below 0°C), making it convenient to use directly without pre-melting.
Due to its certain viscosity (300~500 mPa·s, 25°C), the viscosity may increase under low-temperature conditions in winter. It is recommended to allow it to naturally warm up at 15~25°C before use or use a water bath to gently heat (not exceeding 40°C) to restore fluidity. Prolonged heating at high temperatures is prohibited to avoid product degradation.
The following are common reference dosage ranges for various application fields (based on Guoli Chemical product application experience and common formula practices across industries; actual dosage should be determined through experiments according to specific formulations):
| Application Field | Function | Recommended Dosage (Percentage of Total Formulation Weight) |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticide Formulations (EC/EW/ME) | Emulsifier, Wetting Agent | 3%~10% |
| Cosmetic Creams/Lotions | O/W Emulsifier | 1%~5% |
| Cleansing Oils | Hydrophilic Emulsifier | 5%~15% |
| Food Processing (Baking, Ice Cream, etc.) | Emulsifier, Solubilizer | 0.1%~1% (According to food regulations limits) |
| Textile Auxiliaries/Spinning Oils | Smoothing Agent, Antistatic Component | 2%~8% |
| Metalworking Fluids (Cutting Fluids) | Emulsifier | 3%~8% |
| Coating Emulsion Polymerization | Emulsifier, Stabilizer | 1%~4% (Based on monomer weight) |
| Oil Drilling Fluids/Stimulation Fluids | Emulsifier | 1%~5% |
Synergistic Combination: Tween T-85 has an HLB value of 11. When used alone and the emulsification effect is not ideal, it can be combined with low HLB emulsifiers (such as Span series, HLB≈1.8~8.6) in proportion. By adjusting the mixed HLB value to match the required HLB of the oil phase, emulsion stability can be significantly improved. Mixed HLB value = (HLB_A × W_A + HLB_B × W_B) / (W_A + W_B).
Emulsification Operation Recommendations: When using a homogenizing emulsification process, first dissolve Tween T-85 in the oil phase. Under high-speed stirring (recommended 3000~5000 rpm) or high-pressure homogenization, slowly add the oil phase to the water phase. Emulsification temperature controlled at 40~60°C yields better results. After emulsification, allow to cool naturally to room temperature, avoiding rapid cooling which may cause droplet aggregation.
Solubilization Use: When used for solubilizing fragrances, essential oils, or oil-soluble active ingredients, it is recommended that the mass ratio of Tween T-85 to the substance to be solubilized is 1:1~5:1. First mix both evenly, then slowly add water under stirring to dilute to the required concentration to obtain a transparent or translucent microemulsion.