Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Chemical Name
- Cleaning Ingredients Functions
- CAS No.
- 9005-64-5
- EC No.
- 500-018-3
- Technologies
- Product Families
- Tween - Polyethoxylated Sorbitan Esters
In simple terms, Tweens are ethoxylated Spans. A polyethoxylated monoester of 3,6-sorbitan can be represented as:
Figure 2: Chemical structure - polyethoxylated monoester
R is the alkyl group of a fatty acid and (X+Y+Z) is the total number of moles of ethylene oxide.
Tweens are hydrophilic in nature and are soluble or dispersible in water and dilute solutions of electrolytes. The solubility of Tweens in aqueous solutions increases with the degree of ethoxylation. For a fixed degree of ethoxylation, aqueous solubility decreases as the number of ester groupings increases. For a fixed degree of
ethoxylation and esterification, aqueous solubility decreases as the molecular weight of the fatty acid increases.
Features & Benefits
- Labeling Claims
- HII Features
- Background
The Tween™ Series of surfactants are polyoxyethylene derivatives of the Span™ Series products. Tween™ surfactants are hydrophilic, generally soluble or dispersible in water, and soluble in varying degrees inorganic liquids. They are used for oil-in-water (O/W) emulsification, dispersion or solubilization of oils, and wetting. Frequently, Tween™ surfactants are combined with similarly numbered Span™ surfactants to promote emulsion stability. These products are widely used in personal care, fiber finish, HI&I cleaning, crop protection, paints & coatings, adhesives and other industrial applications.
Sorbitan esters and their ethoxylates
Croda's unique expertise in ester technology and continuing commitment to customers has established the company as a world-leader in the supply of sorbitan esters and derivatives for an array of applications. A unique understanding of the highly complex properties and functions of sorbitan esters has been developed to ensure customer developments are cutting edge in today's highly competitive environment.
The Spans and Tweens are a range of mild nonionic surfactants providing formulating benefits in a number of Home Care applications. Croda's Span and Tween materials have long-standing food and pharmacopeia approval with a safe history of use.
As nonionics, Spans and Tweens offer many advantages over ionic surfactants including increased stability, formulating flexibility and wider compatibility. They are stable in mild acids, alkalis and electrolytes and do not react with ionic ingredients or actives. By combining Spans and Tweens at different ratios, formulators are able to produce systems with a wide HLB range to emulsify most oils and waxes. Certain Spans and Tweens are also highly effective solubilisers, dispersing agents and wetting aids.
- Functional Benefits
- Nonionic emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers
- Solubilisers
- Dispersants
- Wetting agents
- Stable over a wide pH range
- Electrolyte tolerant
Tween products can provide quick and easy removal of oily stains from wipes. A growing area in household cleaning sees use once non woven wipes giving quick cleaning options to those with little time. Tween 20, 21, 80 and 85 are useful in creating on action emulsions with stains helping cleaning efficiency and maximum stain removal. Tween 20 is also classed as a mildness additive and is suitable for use in wipes where skin contact is prolonged.
The Tween range act as extremely versatile solubilisers for all types of fragrance and are excellent oil in water emulsifiers. Tween 20 has a very pale coloration and low odor, which is beneficial in the formulation of colorless systems.
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Applications
- Home Care Applications
- I&I Cleaning Applications
- Applications
Span and Tween surfactants find widespread use in a diverse range of household consumer products and are useful as emulsifers, solubilisers, wettinq aqents and dispersants.
Polishes
Spans and Tweens are key emulsifying agents for a number of applications. By using combinations of Spans with their corresponding Tweens it is possible to prepare a variety of oil in water and water in oil emulsion systems.
Air Care
Tweens are extremely versatile as solubilisers for all types of fragrances and perfumes used in air fresheners and other household products. Tween 20 and Tween 80 have high HLB values and are of particular interest when solubilising volatile components. Tween 20, a fully saturated ester, is most commonly used in this application due to its low odor. Typical inclusion levels are 1:1 Tween to fragrance, depending on the formulations and fragrance to be solubilised. Tweens are recommended for odor neutralisers and solvent based degreasers.
Wipes
For quick and easy removal of oily stains, Tweens can be incorporated into wipe formulations and added to non-woven substrates. Tween 20, 80 and 85 are helpful in creating on action emulsions with oily fats helping cleaning efficiency. Tween 20 has the additional benefit of being a mildness additive and is suitable for use in wet wipes where contact with the wipe may be prolonged.
Properties
- Physical Form
- Partially Soluble in
- Water
- Typical Properties
- Solubility
Product name Water 1% Water 10% Propylene glycol 1% Propylene glycol 10% Isopropyl alcohol 1% Isopropyl alcohol 10% Xylene 1% Xylene 10% Cottonseed oil 1% Cottonseed oil 10% Mineral oil 1% Mineral oil 10% Tween™ 20 S S S D S S S S S D I I S = Soluble, clear
D = Insoluble, self-dispersing or self-emulsifying; on standing, separates into distinct phases
I = Insoluble, gross separation into distinct phases
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Pour Point | -7 | °C | ASTM-D-97-47 |
Regulatory & Compliance
- Certifications & Compliance
- Biodegradability
Tweens are considered to be inherently biodegradable and would not be expected to persist indefinitely in the environment.
Technical Details & Test Data
- Emulsification
Tweens are recommended as emulsifiers for natural and synthetic waxes and silicone oils to produce low viscosity emulsions e.g. furniture/ multisurface polishes, and shoe polishes.
Table 2 indicates the quality of oil in water emulsions produced at 25°C when water (90 parts by weight) is added under stirring to the solvent or oil (10 parts by weight) containing 10% w/w Tween (i.e. final surfactant concentration in the test system is 1% w/w).
Product Name Mineral Oil Kerosene Rapeseed oil Methyl oleate Butyle stearate Tween™ 20 N P F G F Key:
G - Good emulsion
F - Fair
p - poor
N - Negligible
Table 2: Emulsification data
Packaging & Availability
- Country Availability
- Regional Availability