C12-18 ethoxylated alcohols

C12-18 ethoxylated alcohols (CAS 68213-23-0) are nonionic surfactants produced by ethoxylating fatty alcohols in the C12–C18 carbon chain range.

Where is C12-18 ethoxylated alcohols used?

• Personal care: emulsifier for oil-in-water lotions, creams and hair conditioners
• Household and industrial cleaners: degreasing hard surfaces
• Laundry and dishwashing: improved soil removal
• Textile processing: scouring and wetting agents before dyeing or finishing
• Agricultural formulations: dispersant in emulsifiable and suspension concentrates, improving coverage and uptake on treated surfaces
• They function as emulsifiers, detergents and dispersants in industrial and consumer formulations.

Good to know: Viscosity and HLB value vary with the degree of ethoxylation; low-ethoxylate grades suit emulsification, higher-ethoxylate grades detergency and water dispersibility.

Commercial specifications

• EO mole variants from low-ethoxylate grades
• Specific grades meet requirements in regulated applications such as agricultural adjuvants or personal care