Polyethylene glycol trimethylnonyl ether

Polyethylene glycol trimethylnonyl ether (CAS 60828-78-6) is a non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactant based on a branched C12 alcohol, commercially available under trade names including TMN 3, TMN 6, TMN 10, Du Pont WK, and isolaureth-3. The numerical suffix indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units per molecule.

In textile processing, it functions as a low-foaming wetting agent, driving rapid fibre penetration by reducing interfacial tension between aqueous baths and hydrophobic substrates. In industrial cleaning and leather degreasing, the branched alcohol backbone improves oil solubilisation while limiting foam generation, which is critical in spray and continuous-process equipment.

Supplied as a liquid, this material is registered under REACH and available in standard IBC and drum formats from European distributors. Grades vary by degree of ethoxylation, with TMN 3, 6, and 10 covering a range of HLB values suited to different formulation requirements. No E-code or pharmacopoeial designation applies.