Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Chemical Name
- Cleaning Ingredients Functions
- CAS No.
- 9005-67-8
- EC No.
- 500-020-4
- 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
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Applications
- Home Care Applications
- I&I Cleaning Applications
- Applications
Span and Tween products are highly recommended as emulsifiers for all types of waxes and silicone oils. Using combinations of Spans with their corresponding Tweens, it is possible to build emulsion systems suitable for varied applications.Span 60 used in combination with Tween 60 will give an excellent silicone emulsion for exterior polishing.
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.
Wipes
For quick and easy removal of oily stains, Tweens can be incorporated into wipe formulations and added to non-woven substrates.
Hand Barrier Creams
Heavy duty hand cleaners are used for easy removal of oils, dirt and greases. Tween 21 and 60 may be used to form microemulsion gels based on solvents such as odorless kerosene or as a green altemative, Prifer 6813 Croda's ecofriendly low odor degreasing solvent. Barrier products form a film which is designed to protect the skin from the effects of oil and water bome irritants. Combinations of Span 60 and Tween 60 or
Span 80 and Tween 80 are good based emulsifying systems which can be tailored to produce either oil or water resistant products. They are suitable for vegetable oils and lanolin derivatives. Tween 80 in particular is a useful emulsifier for oil-resistant barrier products based on hydrophilic film-formers such as methyl cellulose of gum Arabic.
Properties
- Physical Form
- 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™ 60 S S D D S S S S S I 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 | 21 | °C | ASTM-D-97-47 |
| HLB Value | 14.9 | — | — |
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™ 60 P F F G F Key:
G - Good emulsion
F - Fair
p - poor
N - Negligible
Table 2: Emulsification data
Packaging & Availability
- Country Availability
- Regional Availability