Overview
Polyoxyethylene stearate is a synthetic non-ionic surfactant created by the ethoxylation of stearic acid. This versatile compound belongs to the broader class of PEG esters and finds extensive use across multiple industries due to its excellent emulsifying properties and compatibility with various formulations. The material's characteristics can be tailored by adjusting the degree of ethoxylation (n value in its formula), which determines its hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). This adjustability makes it suitable for creating both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions depending on the specific application requirements.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Polyoxyethylene stearate typically appears as a white to off-white waxy solid at room temperature. Its physical state can vary from pastes to solid flakes depending on the ethoxylation degree and manufacturing process. The compound exhibits good thermal stability under normal processing conditions but may degrade at elevated temperatures. Chemically, it demonstrates excellent stability across a wide pH range (typically 3-10), making it suitable for acidic or alkaline formulations. The surfactant properties stem from its molecular structure, where the hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chain and lipophilic stearate moiety create an effective balance for interfacial activity.
Main Applications
In the cosmetics industry, polyoxyethylene stearate serves as a key ingredient in creams, lotions, and hair care products where it functions as an emulsifier and viscosity modifier. Its mildness and compatibility with skin make it particularly valuable for personal care formulations. The pharmaceutical industry utilizes this compound in topical ointments and drug delivery systems. Industrial applications include its use as a lubricant in textile processing, as a dispersant in agricultural formulations, and as an additive in various cleaning products where its surfactant properties enhance performance.
Safety and Storage
Polyoxyethylene stearate is generally considered safe for topical applications and is classified as non-irritating to skin at recommended usage levels. However, proper handling procedures should be followed, including the use of personal protective equipment when handling powdered forms to prevent respiratory irritation. For storage, the material should be kept in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Typical shelf life ranges from 18 to 24 months when stored under appropriate conditions. Bulk storage should maintain temperatures below 30°C to prevent clumping or melting.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing polyoxyethylene stearate, buyers should clearly specify the required ethoxylation degree (commonly expressed as the number of ethylene oxide units, e.g., PEG-40 stearate). This parameter significantly affects the material's properties and suitability for specific applications. Quality considerations should include purity levels (typically 95-99%), residual ethylene oxide content, and peroxide value for certain applications. Bulk procurement options may offer cost advantages, with common packaging including 25kg bags or drums. Lead times can vary from 2-6 weeks depending on supplier inventory and customization requirements.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：海藻糖、柠檬酸、黄原胶、硬脂酸聚烃氧、氯化钙、薄荷脑、泊洛沙姆、聚乙烯醇PVA、聚山梨酯、碳酸氢钠、注射蛋黄卵磷脂、注射大豆油、甘油、倍他环糊精、海藻酸钠、聚丙烯酸钠、酒石酸、丙二醇、聚乙二醇、HS15、聚氧乙烯40氢化蓖麻油、山嵛酸甘油酯、羟丙甲纤维素、羟苯甲酯钠
- 主营：注射级海藻糖、苯甲醇、三乙醇胺、甜菊糖苷、注射级甘露醇、牛磺酸、醋酸钠、木糖醇、黄原胶、甘露醇、大豆油、薄荷脑、注射级木糖醇、二甲硅油、卡波姆、枸橼酸、磷酸氢二钠、磷酸氢二钾、明胶、十六醇、十八醇、聚维酮k30、注射级甘油
- 主营：药用聚乙二醇、泊洛沙姆188、泊洛沙姆407、硬脂酸镁、聚乙二醇—15羟基硬脂酸酯、巴斯夫进口蓖麻油聚烃氧酯EL35、巴斯夫聚氧乙烯氢化蓖麻油RH40、巴斯夫进口Soluplus、微晶纤维素、聚维酮k30、聚维酮k90、羧甲淀粉钠、低取代羟丙纤维素、羟丙纤维素、羟丙甲纤维素、乳糖、麦芽糊精、交联聚维酮、交联羧甲纤维素钠、海藻糖、甘羟铝、聚丙烯酸钠、卡波姆、亚什兰进口羟乙基纤维素
- 主营：减磨剂、防锈剂、添加剂、硬脂酸、润滑剂、抗腐剂、丙烯酸、抗氧剂、改进剂、清净剂、极压剂、色墨油墨、金属钝化剂、无灰分散剂、聚氨酯乳液、聚氨酯树脂、复合油墨树脂、高分子化合物、润滑脂拉丝剂、润滑油破乳剂、膜强度增强剂、润滑油增稠剂、润滑脂增粘剂、导热油复合剂、硫化烷基酚钙、活塞环释放剂
- 主营：鱼肝油、氯化钙、枸橼酸、硬脂酸镁、滑石粉、木糖醇、海藻糖、香草醛、壳聚糖、水合氯醛、化学试剂、羟苯乙酯、白凡士林、液状石蜡、二甲硅油、甲醛溶液、碳酸氢钠、甲基纤维素、依地酸二钠、山梨醇、水杨酸
- 主营：矫味剂、助悬剂、抑菌剂、医药级硬脂酸聚烃氧、润滑剂、聚维酮、阿拉伯胶、药用辅料、预胶化淀粉、羟丙纤维素、药用级桉油、可溶性淀粉、羟丙甲纤维素、辅料倍他环糊精、辅料羧甲淀粉钠、辅料微晶纤维素
- 主营：药品检测标准品、药物杂质标准品、对照品、中药对照药材、中药农残空白基质、分析标准品、仪器检测校准品、金属离子标准溶液、滴定溶液、食品检测标准物质、有机检测标准溶液、指示液、缓冲液、电导率溶液、PH标准溶液、熔点标准品、国家标准物质、比色液
- 主营：化工原料、诺氟羧酸、精细化工产品、(r)-3-氨基丁醇、兰索拉唑氯化物、氯甲基氯磺酸酯
- 主营：消泡剂、乳化剂、扩散剂s、渗透剂sf、聚乙二醇、液体洗涤剂、油酸聚氧乙烯
- 主营：二氧化硅、微晶纤维素、羟丙甲纤维素、硬脂酸镁、药用级聚维酮、药用级二氧化硅、注射级甘露醇、注射级甘油、注射级丙二醇、注射级磷酸氢二钠、注射级依地酸二钠、注射级苯甲醇、木糖醇、中链甘油三酸酯、二甲基亚砜、注射级海藻糖、注射级聚乙二醇400、注射级蔗糖、注射级乳糖、注射级大豆油、无水碳酸钠、无水磷酸二氢钠