Due to the diversity of its properties, PEG-12 is used in a number of applications. It has very good softening, lubricating, solubilising and moisturising properties. PEG-12 is an ingredient of products such as cosmetics, industrial cleaning preparations or self-curing concretes.
PEG-12 is a name given in the INCI system (an international nomenclature system for substances that are ingredients of cosmetic formulations) for the polyoxyethylene glycol whose CAS number is 25322-68-3.
At the room temperature, PEG-12 is a high viscosity liquid (or less frequently a soft paste) with a faint odour. The colour of the compound reaches a maximum of 30 in the Hazen scale (at the temperature of 30ᵒC). Its molar mass is approx. 600 g/mol. PEG-12 is well soluble in water and also in low aliphatic alcohols (methanol, ethanol), ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Its density is approx. 1.120 g/ml (at the temperature of 25ᵒC). PEG-12 exhibits stability in neutral, slightly acidic and alkaline solutions all.
PEG-12 is widely used in body lotions, hair shampoos, shaving soaps and other care products. It acts as a solubiliser and humectant there. As a solubiliser, it helps introduce compounds that are poorly soluble or insoluble in water to aqueous solutions. Such substances include scented oils, ethereal substances or other fatty compounds. As a humectant, it prevents a loss of moisture loss and maintains the right moisture level. On that account, it acts as a moisturising and softening agent in skin care products and makes the hair soft and velvety. Moreover, PEG-12 is used to modify the rheology of active substances.
Construction successfully uses surfactants as valuable additives. PEG-12 is used for curing concrete and cement mortars. As a compound with hygroscopic properties, it reduces losses of water from the mix, which improves the setting of the material. With the right dosing, PEG-12 also increases the mechanical strength of the hardened concrete and is used in the design of self-curing concretes.
The diverse properties of PEG-12 determine a number of its applications in many industrial branches. It is an ingredient of preparations with anti-electrostatic properties that are used in industrial cleaning. It has similar functions in metalworking processes. In the agrochemical industry, PEG-12 is a humectant used in fertiliser production. The chemical industry uses PEG-12 as a raw-material for ester production. Additionally, it has a positive impact on the mechanical properties of polyurethane foams (reducing their brittleness, while increasing their compression strength). Besides, PEG-12 is available as an indirect food additive (with a positive opinion from the FDA).
