Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE)
Versatile non-ionic surfactants for laundry detergents, hard surface cleaners, and industrial applications — excellent hard water tolerance and cold-water performance.
Product Overview
Alcohol ethoxylates (AE) are non-ionic surfactants produced by ethoxylation of fatty alcohols (C8-C18) with ethylene oxide. The number of ethylene oxide (EO) units added determines the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and the performance characteristics of the surfactant — more EO units increase water solubility and reduce cloud point.
Texas-Chem supplies alcohol ethoxylates in various EO chain lengths (typically C12-C15 with 3-9 EO units) for different application requirements. Low-EO grades (3-5 EO) are preferred for laundry and industrial cleaning; high-EO grades (7-9 EO) are preferred for emulsification and agricultural applications.
Common Applications
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 68439-46-3 |
| INCI Name | C12-15 Pareth-3 to Pareth-9 (varies by grade) |
| Carbon Chain | C12-C15 (typical) |
| EO Units | 3-9 (grade-dependent) |
| Active Content | 99%+ (as supplied) |
| Appearance | Clear to slightly hazy liquid or paste |
| HLB Value | 8-14 (EO-dependent) |
| Cloud Point | 30-80°C (EO-dependent) |
| Grade | Industrial / Technical |
| Packaging | Drums, Totes, Bulk tanker |
Safety & Documentation
Alcohol ethoxylates are low-hazard materials. Mild eye and skin irritant at high concentrations. Use gloves and safety glasses when handling. Some grades are solid or paste at room temperature — may require heating to pump. Review SDS before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What EO chain length should I use for laundry detergent?
For liquid laundry detergents, C12-C15 with 7-9 EO units is the standard choice — it provides good cold-water solubility, excellent hard water tolerance, and moderate foam. For concentrated or low-foam applications, 3-5 EO grades are preferred.
Why are alcohol ethoxylates preferred in hard water?
Unlike anionic surfactants (LAS, SLS), non-ionic alcohol ethoxylates are not affected by calcium and magnesium ions in hard water. They do not form insoluble calcium salts, maintaining full cleaning performance without the need for water softeners or chelating agents.
What is the cloud point of alcohol ethoxylates?
The cloud point is the temperature at which an AE solution becomes cloudy due to phase separation. It increases with EO chain length. Low-EO grades (3-5 EO) have cloud points of 30-50°C; high-EO grades (7-9 EO) have cloud points of 60-80°C. Applications above the cloud point lose surfactant effectiveness.
Are alcohol ethoxylates biodegradable?
Yes. Alcohol ethoxylates are readily biodegradable (>90% in standard OECD tests). The ethoxylate chain is metabolized by microorganisms, and the resulting fatty alcohol is further biodegraded. They have a good environmental profile for synthetic surfactants.
Packaging Options
Key Properties
Delivery Info
Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) vs. Alternatives
Alcohol ethoxylates are the leading non-ionic surfactant for hard water and low-foam applications. Here is how they compare to anionic alternatives.
| Attribute | Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) | LAS | SLES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charge Type | Non-ionic | Anionic | Anionic |
| Hard Water Tolerance | Excellent — unaffected | Poor — needs builders | Good |
| Foaming | Low to moderate | High | High |
| Cold Water Performance | Excellent | Good | Good |
| CIP / Spray Systems | Preferred — low foam | Not preferred — high foam | Not preferred — high foam |
Industries We Supply Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) To
Food Processing & CIP
Low-foam alcohol ethoxylates are the preferred surfactant for clean-in-place (CIP) systems in food and beverage processing facilities.
Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) supply in Houston, TXLaundry & Textile
Used in liquid laundry detergents and textile processing for excellent cold-water performance and hard water tolerance.
Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) supply in Dallas, TXAgriculture
Alcohol ethoxylates are the standard emulsifier and wetting agent in pesticide and herbicide formulations for Texas agriculture.
Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) supply in Lubbock, TXOilfield & Industrial
Used as demulsifiers, wetting agents, and production chemicals in oilfield operations across the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford.
Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) supply in Midland, TX