PEG-7 Oleate

Oleic acid, ethoxylated

An oleic acid polyethylene glycol ether, widely known under the INCI name of PEG-7 Oleate, is a surfactant which is used in several industries, mainly the textile and metallurgical industries, due to its properties and characteristics. It is primarily used as an ingredient of lubricating oils, anti-wear fluids or plant protection agents.

What is PEG-7 Oleate?

PEG-7 Oleate is the name given in the INCI system (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) to the oleic acid polyethylene glycol ether, which is a derivative of oleic acid. PEG-7 Oleate is a non-ionic surfactant. The CAS number, one of the most common methods of identification of chemical substances worldwide, for PEG-7 Oleate is 9004-96-0.

Chemical and physical properties

• PEG-7 Oleate has a molar mass of approx. 590 g/mol;
• The structure of the surfactant’s molecule has a non-saturated bond in the alkyl chain that comes from oleic acid;
• The compound is available in the form of a liquid with an amber to brown colour;
• The pure substance has a distinctive smell;
• You can buy PEG-7 Oleate as a marketed product in the broad product range offered by the PCC Group. The offered product has a minimum active substance content of 99%, while the water content does not exceed 1%;
• The saponification number for this compound, i.e. the amount of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to neutralise free acids and saponify esters in 1 g of the substance is 86 to 96 mg of KOH;
• PEG-7 Oleate features a good water solubility, although benzene and mineral oils are better solvents (non-polar solvents);
• Its density at the temperature of 50ᵒC is approx. 0.95 g/ml;
• The ignition point is approx. 260ᵒC and solidification starts at the temperature of approx. 0ᵒC;
• It is resistant to acid media and moderately resistant to alkaline media.

Use of PEG-7 Oleate in the textile and metallurgical industries

PEG-7 Oleate is used as an emulsifier, mostly for mineral oils used in the textile industry. Due to a very good solubility in mineral oils and vegetable oils, it is used to prepare oiling agents textiles and the textile industry. With such substances used, manufacturing processes generate much less waste and thus processes become more efficient, as machine down-time and time/material losses are prevented. PEG-7 Oleate is also used in anti-wear preparations and lubricating oils. It is an ingredient of emulsifiable oils designed for the machining of metals, cutting fluids based on soluble oils, semi-synthetic coolants and neat oils. Its properties are also used to design fire-resistant hydraulic fluids. PEG-7 Oleate could be an ingredient of such products, mostly of the HFA type, which are dedicated, for example, to the mining industry. Other applications of PEG-7 Oleate include liquid pesticide formulations.

When used in different industries, PEG-7 Oleate acts primarily as an emulsifier. PEG-7 Oleate is also used in food, for indirect food contact purposes. It is an anticorrosive agent used in the pipes of steam boilers where steam contacts food. Infant formulae and their ingredients are an exception.

Products containing PEG-7 Oleate:

• lubricating oils,
• emulsifiable oils,
• plant protection products,
• hydraulic fluids,
• machining coolants,
• shower gels and liquids and
• hair shampoos.

Safety of use of PEG-7 Oleate

PEG-7 Oleate is safe to use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – FDA – has approved this derivative of oleic acid for indirect food contact (exception: infant formulae). The main intended use of PEG-7 Oleate is however based on industrial branches, where it is preferred due to its high biodegradability in the natural environment. Products such as ROKAcet 07 (trade name: PEG-7 Oleate in the product range offered by the PCC Group) are safe to the aquatic environment in accordance with the CLP Regulation.