PEG-40 Castor Oil is a non-ionic surfactant that belongs to the group of polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters of castor oil. It is an ingredient of many formulations that are used as plant protection products, anti-electrostatics, components of machining liquids or products for use in the textile and leather industry.
PEG-40 Castor Oil is the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name for Ethoxylated Castor Oil. The CAS number of the compound is 61791-12-6. It mainly acts as a dispersing agent and cleaning agent. The PCC Group offers PEG-40 Castor Oil under the trade name ROKAcet R40. From a chemical point of view, this surfactant is a derivative created through the process of of castor oil ethoxylation with 40 ethylene oxide molecules.
PEG-40 Castor Oil is a paste (often semi-fluid) with a tendency to delaminate. It liquefies when heated. The product has a characteristic smell. It is well soluble in water and other organic substances, such as alcohols, oils and fatty acids. The commercial product contains over 99% of the active substance, and the remaining ingredients (most often water) do not exceed 1% of the content. It is easily biodegradable in the natural environment. As a result, it is eagerly chosen by formulators in industrial sectors. PEG-40 Castor Oil has a molecular weight of approximately 2,500. This is due to the structure of the molecule and the presence of as many as 40 ethylene oxide molecules. These features determine the remaining properties. The flash point exceeds 110ᵒC and the density of the compound is about 1.04 g/ml (at 30ᵒC).
PEG-40 Castor Oil is one of the ingredients of cutting fluids that use soluble oils, semi-synthetic coolants and neat oils. Such liquids are a popular solution used during various processes, such as machining on CNC machines. Their primary role is to dissipate the heat generated during rubbing of the processed materials, as well as to reduce friction. They include cutting oils, synthetic liquids concentrates, corrosion inhibitors, biostatic ingredients and greasing substances. Their different chemical nature means that the use of surfactants such as PEG-40 Castor Oil in cutting fluids becomes indispensable, because it would be very difficult to create a permanent emulsion and evenly disperse all components.
PEG-40 Castor Oil has anti-electrostatic properties. This feature is used in the textile industry. They are used in rinsing and softening liquids for fabrics and heavy duty liquids. Providing appropriate features and characteristics is particularly important in the case of clothing for use in an explosive atmosphere. The use of PEG-40 Castor Oil in this type of textile processes supports the fulfilment of basic requirements in the textile industry.
Liquid pesticide formulations, such as EC, SC, EW and ME, also contain PEG-40 Castor Oil due to its emulsifying properties.
The most important advantages of this non-ionic surfactant are:
