Sodium cetyl sulfate

Sodium cetyl sulfate (CAS 1120-01-0), also known as sodium hexadecyl sulfate, is an anionic surfactant derived from cetyl alcohol. It functions as an emulsifier, foaming agent, and dispersant across personal care manufacturing and industrial processing applications. In personal care formulations, it acts as a primary or co-surfactant in shampoos, cleansing creams, and emulsified lotions where controlled foam and stable emulsion structure are required.

Textile processors use it during scouring and finishing operations to improve fiber wetting and remove oils, greases, and processing residues from fabric surfaces. This ensures high-quality textile output. In leather processing, it supports degreasing baths where uniform penetration of treatment agents into hides is critical to end-product quality. This allows for consistent results across different batches.

Paper manufacturers apply it as a dispersant to control fiber distribution and surface chemistry during pulp processing. This helps maintain the structural integrity and finish of the final paper product. Sodium cetyl sulfate is typically supplied as a white to off-white powder or paste. Standard grades include technical and cosmetic-grade specifications, with cosmetic grades subject to purity requirements.

These requirements are aligned with personal care industry standards to ensure safety and efficacy. Packaging is commonly available in bags or drums suited to both laboratory-scale sampling and bulk industrial procurement.