PEG-100 is a surfactant used in household chemicals, ceramic, paper, cosmetic and metal industries. In products, it acts as a plasticiser, anti-adhesive, binding substance and moisturising substance. You can find it in products such as cosmetics, food packaging, detergents or additives for the processing of plastics.
PEG-100 is an INCI name for a compound whose chemical name is polyoxyethylene glycol. The CAS number of the compound is 25322-68-3. It is used in diverse applications, where it mostly acts as an emulsifier and wetting agent.
PEG-100 is a white to light yellow agent with a faint yet characteristic odour. Similarly to other compounds that belong to the broad PEG group, this surfactant dissolves very well in water. It is also soluble in organic liquids such as methanol, ethanol, chloroform or ethylene glycol. The molar mass of PEG-100 is approx. 4500 g/mol. PH of a 10% aqueous solution ranges from 4.6 to 7.4. The hydroxyl number for PEG-100 is 23 to 28 mg KOH/g. Its density at 70ᵒC is approximately 1.08 g/ml. Molecules of PEG-100 ignite and decompose above the temperature of 220ᵒC. The compound is safe, non-toxic and does not cause irritation.
As a surfactant, PEG-100 is used in the cosmetic industry. Its unlimited water solubility is employed in the design of what are known as hard cosmetics e.g. lipsticks. It is used as their ingredient. When used as a humectant in cosmetic products, it also retains water. You can find PEG-100 in products such as creams, face wash preparations, scrubs or make-up removers. It is also used to increase the viscosity of a cosmetic formulation (improving its performance and application properties), i.e. modify its rheology.
PEG-100 is used in household chemicals. It is a popular additive for detergents such as dishwasher or laundry tablets. It is used as a binding agent and a carrier of active substances.
Besides cosmetics and detergents, PEG-100 is a popular surfactant used in metalworking processes. As an ingredient of lubricants, primarily water-soluble synthetic machining fluids and heat transfer fluids. The use of machining fluids that contain PEG-100 helps carry away the heat produced during the processing of metal pieces.
For the plastics industry, PEG-100 is an anti-adhesive agent used in rubber and elastomer processing. Anti-adhesive agents on the surface of materials reduce their adherence to the mould and thus facilitate the removal of rubber or plastic casts. Compounds such as PEG-100 are essential for the rubber industry processing, as they boost processes and increase their efficiency.
PEG-100 has a positive opinion of an international organisation, i.e. the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The FDA has approved the use of the surfactant as an indirect food additive. It is used in the production of food packaging based on biopolymers. It needs to be used as recommended and the maximum allowable dose may not be exceeded.
Major advantages are as follows:
