Polyoxyl stearyl ether
Synonyms
Octadecyl polyoxyethylene ether;
PEG stearyl ether;
Polyethylene glycol stearyl ether;
Polyoxyethylene stearyl ether;
Steareth;
Polyethylene glycol monostearyl ether;
Polyoxyethylated stearyl alcohol;
Stearyl alcohol, ethoxylated;
Category
Non-ionic surfactant
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Chemical Numbering System
CASRN: 9005-00-9
EINECS: 500-017-8
Molecular Formula & Molecular Weight
Molecular Formula: (C2H4O)n.C18H38O
Molecular Weight: N/A
Structure
Properties
Appearance (1), white flake or granular.
Solubility dispersible in water to soluble in water. The solubility increases with the increase of EO number.
Stability stable.
Risk Solid form: flammable material; irritation, irritation to skin, eye, respiratory system. Harmful products of combustion are CO, CO2 and so on. Contact with strong oxidants, can cause to burn.
GHS (Rev.10) label: 
Animal Toxicity
Table 1 Animal toxicity values
|
rat oral LD50 |
1900mg/kg[1] |
|
rat oral LD50 |
2900mg/kg[1] |
|
rat oral LD50 |
25000mg/kg[1] |
Ecology may be hazardous to environment. Water body should be given special attention.
Biodegradability biodegradable.
Characteristics excellent cleansing, emulsifying, dispersing, solubilizing, wetting, permeating abilities. Performance is related to EO number.
Note (1), The by-product 1,4-dioxane is a possible carcinogen. Generally, can be acceptable when concentration of 1,4-dioxane is less than 30ppm or less.
(2), Be careful with using in children's products.
Synthesis
Obtained that stearyl alcohol reacts with ethylene epoxide.
For further information, see:
US patent 4,223,163 Process for making ethoxylated fatty alcohols with narrow polyethoxy chain distribution; US patent 4,967,017 Alcohol ethoxylates of reduced EO content or residual PO content; US patent 5,069,817 Process for making polyoxyethylene surfactants with desirable low temperature behavior, etc.
Quality Standards & Test Methods
1, Physical and chemical indexes
|
Item |
Physical and chemical indexes |
|
Solid |
|
|
Actives, %, ≥ |
95.0 |
|
pH (25°C, 1% solution) |
5.0 - 7.0 |
Test Methods
(1), Actives
GB/T 13173 Surface active agents - Detergents - Testing methods
(2), pH
GB/T 6368 Surface active agents -- Determination of pH of aqueous solution -- Potentiometric method
ISO 4316 Surface active agents -- Determination of pH of aqueous solutions -- Potentiometric method
2, Hazardous substances indexes
|
Item |
Hazardous substances indexes |
|
Solid |
|
|
Heavy metals (as Pb), mg/Kg, ≤ |
20 |
|
As, mg/Kg, ≤ |
3 |
Test Methods
(1), Heavy metals (as Pb)
Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition)
GB/T 30799 The test method of food detergents - Determination of heavy metals
(2), As
Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition)
GB/T 30797 The test method of food detergents - Determination of total arsenic
3, Further explanation
(a), On physical and chemical indexes: firstly, shall be indicated carbon atom distribution; secondly, shall be indicated average molecular weight.
(b), Used in cosmetics, should be test for harmful substances or furtherly test for microorganisms, according to local regulations and standards.
Major Uses
1, Typical applications
Use as cleansing agent. For example, used in personal care products, household cleaning, industrial cleaning, textile, leather, chemical fiber.
Use as emulsifying agent, dispersing agent.
Use as solubilizing agent.
2, Industrial cleaning
Use as cleansing agent.
3, Textile
Cleansing agent, leveling agent in textile, dye.
4, Petroleum
Emulsifying agent in petroleum, petroleum products.
5, Perfume
Solubilizing agent in perfume.
6, Personal care products
Emulsifying agent, cleansing agent in personal care products.
Product members
Steareth-2 (CASRN: 16057-43-5);
Steareth-3 (CASRN: 4439-32-1);
Steareth-4 (CASRN: 59970-10-4);
Steareth-5 (CASRN: 71093-13-5);
Steareth-6 (CASRN: 2420-29-3);
Steareth-7 (CASRN: 66146-84-7);
Steareth-9;
Steareth-10 (CASRN: 13149-86-5);
Steareth-11;
Steareth-13;
Steareth-14;
Steareth-15;
Steareth-16;
Steareth-20;
Steareth-21;
Steareth-25;
Steareth-27;
Steareth-30;
Steareth-40;
Steareth-50;
Steareth-80;
Steareth-100;
Manufacturers
References
[1]: ChemIDplus. 9005-00-9, Polyoxyl stearyl ether
Update: 20130724(1); 20191021(2);