PEG-180 is a surfactant that is readily chosen for applications in many industries due to its properties. As a softening and anti-electrostatic agent, it is primarily used in household chemicals, ceramic, paper, beauty and metal industries.
The compound with an INCI name PEG-180 is a surfactant that belongs to the group of polyoxyethylene glycols. The CAS number of the compound is 25322-68-3. PEG-180 is used in industry mostly as an emulsifier. It also acts as a wetting agent.
The pure compound is a solid white to light yellow wax with a faint yet characteristic odour. PEG-180 dissolves very well in water. A 10% aqueous solution of the surfactant has the form of a homogeneous and clear liquid. Besides water, PEG-180 is equally soluble in low aliphatic alcohols such as methanol or ethanol. The molar mass of the compound is high, i.e. approx. 8000 g/mol. Its density is approx. 1.08 g/mL (at the temperature of 70ᵒC), while the solidification point of PEG-180 is approx. 55ᵒC. The substance is safe, non-toxic and non-irritating.
You can find PEG-180 in:
PEG-180 is primarily an emulsifier for formulations. It efficiently combines water phase with oil phase ingredients. As a surfactant, it “positions” itself at the phase boundary and as it penetrates the phases, it reduces the surface tension, whereby an emulsion may form. As a result, a cream, milk or lotion has the right consistency (it does not break) although it contains ingredients of different chemical nature.
It is used in hair care products such as conditions, shampoos, sera or masks. It acts as a humectant there. It is responsible for moisture retention at the right level. Thus upon application of products containing PEG-180, hair is much more nourished and keeps its natural shine. PEG-180 is also used as a thickening agent in beauty cosmetics. It is readily chosen by cosmetic branch formulators due to the ease of application or its properties that modify the viscosity of formulations. Besides the use in care cosmetics, PEG-180 is used as an ingredient of dishwasher or laundry tablets. It functions as a carrier of active substances and also as a binder.
Besides the beauty industry, PEG-180 is used in lubricants or synthetic liquids designed for machining. It is also an ingredient of heat transfer fluids. Similarly to other compounds that belong to the broad PEG group, PEG-180 features good anti-adhesive properties that are used in rubber and elastomer processing. They make it possible to separate the cast from the mould in a more effective manner, without causing damage to the cast, and to save raw materials and time. This results in a major improvement of rubber processing. PEG-180 is also a component used in electrolytic coating processes. It is used as an auxiliary agent in the textile industry as well. Ceramic processes use PEG-180 too. It acts as a plasticiser and binder.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a positive opinion on the use of PEG-180 as an indirect food additive. On that account, it is used in the production of food packaging based on biopolymers.
