Technical Information

TI/E2 1070 e May 2004 (DFC) Page 1 of 12

Supersedes edition dated October 1995

= Registered trademark of BASF Aktiengesellschaft

Lutensol AO types
Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol AO AO AO AO AO AO 3 4 5 7 79 8 Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol AO AO AO AO AO 89 109 11 30 3109

Nonionic surfactants for use in detergents and cleaners and in the chemical and allied industries

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Lutensol AO types

Chemical nature

The Lutensol AO types are nonionic surfactants. They are based on a saturated, predominantly unbranched C 13C 15 oxo alcohol that consists of ca. 67 % C 13 and ca. 33 % C 15. The Lutensol AO types conform to the following structural formula. RO(CH 2CH 2O) xH R = C 13C 15 oxo alcohol x = 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 or 30 The degree of ethoxylation is denoted by the numeric product designation. Lutensol AO 79 and Lutensol AO 89 consist of ca. 10 % water and ca. 90 % Lutensol AO 7 and Lutensol AO 8 respectively. These products are supplied in the form of mobile liquids, and they are easier to process than 100 % active products supplied in paste form. Lutensol AO 3109 is a mixture of Lutensol AO 3 and Lutensol AO 10 with an active content of ca. 90 % w/w and a water content of ca. 10 % w/w. The Lutensol AO types are manufactured by causing the C 13C 15 oxo alcohol to react with ethylene oxide in stoichiometric proportions. The ethoxylation temperature is kept as low as possible. This, combined with the high purity of the feedstocks, ensures that high-performance surfactants with low toxicity are formed.

Properties
Lutensol AO 3, AO 4, AO 5 and AO 7 are cloudy, colourless liquids at 23C. They have a tendency to form a sediment, but they form clear solutions at 50C. Lutensol AO 79, AO 89, AO 109 and AO 3109 are clear liquids at 23C. Lutensol AO 8 and AO 11 are soft, colourless pastes and Lutensol AO 30 is a colourless, waxy solid.

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Lutensol AO types

Lutensol Physical form (23 C) Degree of ethoxylation Concentration Water content (DIN 51777, Part 1) Cloud point (EN 1890)* Method A Method B Method C Method D Method E Molar mass (calculated from OH number) pH (EN 1262, solution B)** Density (DIN 51757) 23 C 60 C Dropping point (DIN 51801) Solidification point (ISO 2207) Viscosity (EN 12092, Brookfield, 60 rpm) 23 C 60 C Hydroxyl number (DIN 53240) HLB value Flash point (DIN 51376) Wetting power (EN 1772, in distilled water at 23C, 2 g/l soda ash) 0.5 g/l 1 g/l 2 g/l Foam formation (EN 12728, 40C, 2 g/l in water containing 1.8 mmol/l Ca ions, after 30 s) Surface tension (DIN 53914, 20C, 1 g/l in distilled water)*** C g/cm3 C C % % C C C C C g/mol

AO 3 Liquid ca. 3 ca. 100

AO 4 Liquid ca. 4 ca. 100

AO 5 Liquid ca. 5 ca. 100

AO 7 Liquid ca. 7 ca. 100

AO 79 Liquid ca. 7 ca. 90 ca. 10

AO 8 Solid ca. 8 ca. 100

ca. 54 ca. 45 ca. 340 ca. 7 ca. 0.92 <5 <5

ca. 63 ca. 57 ca. 380 ca. 7 ca. 0.94 ca. 10 <5

ca. 66 ca. 62 ca. 430 ca. 7 ca. 0.95 ca. 12 <5

ca. 43 ca. 77 ca. 75 ca. 520 ca. 7 ca. 0.98 ca. 21 ca. 15

ca. 43 ca. 77 ca. 75 ca. 520 ca. 7 ca. 0.99

ca. 52 ca. 38 ca. 31 ca. 79 ca. 79 ca. 560 ca. 7

ca. 0.96 <5 <5 ca. 25 ca. 18

ca. 60 mPas mg KOH/g ca. 165 ca. 8 ca. 130

ca. 70 ca. 150 ca. 9 ca. 140

ca. 80 ca. 130 ca. 10 ca. 150

ca. 800 ca. 110 ca. 12 ca. 190

ca. 150 ca. 30 ca. 110 ca. 12 ca. 220 ca. 100 ca. 12.5 ca. 200

s s s

> 300 > 300 > 300

> 300 ca. 240 ca. 100

ca. 200 ca. 100 ca. 40

ca. 90 ca. 30 ca. 10

ca. 90 ca. 30 ca. 10

ca. 90 ca. 30 ca. 10

cm3 mN/m

ca. 20 ca. 28

ca. 20 ca. 28

ca. 30 ca. 28

ca. 250 ca. 28

ca. 250 ca. 28

ca. 350 ca. 28

** Cloud point according to EN 1890: Method A : 1 g of surfactant + 100 g of distilled water Method B : 1 g of surfactant + 100 g of NaCl solution (c = 50 g/l) Method C : 1 g of surfactant + 100 g of NaCl solution (c = 100 g/l) Method D : 5 g of surfactant + 45 g of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether solution (c = 250 g/l) Method E : 5 g of surfactant + 25 g of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether solution (c = 250 g/l ** The pH of the Lutensol AO types can decrease during storage, but this does not have any effect on their performance. *** Applying Harkins-Jordan correction.

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Lutensol AO types

Lutensol Physical form (23 C) Degree of ethoxylation Concentration Water content (DIN 51777, Part 1) Cloud point (EN 1890)* Method A Method B Method C Method D Method E Molar mass (calculated from OH number) pH (EN 1262, solution B)** Density (DIN 51757) 23 C 60 C Dropping point (DIN 51801) Solidificatin point (ISO 2207) Viscosity (EN 12092, Brookfield, 60 rpm) 23 C 60 C Hydroxyl number (DIN 53240) HLB value Flash point (DIN 51376) Wetting power (EN 1772, in distilled water at 23C, 2 g/l soda ash) 0.5 g/l 1 g/l 2 g/l Foam formation (EN 12728, 40C, 2 g/l in water containing 1.8 mmol/l Ca ions, after 30 s) Surface tension (DIN 53914, 20C, 1 g/l in distilled water)*** C g/cm3 C C mPas % % C C C C C g/mol

AO 89 Liquid ca. 8 ca. 90 ca. 10 ca. 52 ca. 38 ca. 31 ca. 79 ca. 79 ca. 560 ca. 7 ca. 0.99 ca. 11 ca. 8

AO 109 Liquid ca. 10 ca. 90 ca. 10 ca. 80 ca. 65 ca. 55 ca. 83 ca. 85 ca. 650 ca. 7 ca. 1.03

AO 11 Solid ca. 11 ca. 100

AO 30 Solid ca. 30 ca. 100

AO 3109 Liquid ca. 8 ca. 90 ca. 10

ca. 86 ca. 72 ca. 59 ca. 86 ca. 87 ca. 690 ca. 7

ca. 91 ca. 77 ca. 91 ca. 94 ca. 1530 ca. 7

ca. 74 ca. 73 ca. 550 ca. 7 ca. 0.98

ca. 0.99 ca. 14 ca. 13 ca. 30 ca. 20

ca. 1.03 ca. 45 ca. 35 ca. 10 ca. 5

ca. 150 mg KOH/g ca. 100 ca. 12.5 ca. 220

ca. 200 ca. 30 ca. 85 ca. 13.5 ca. 220 ca. 80 ca. 14 ca. 220 ca. 60 ca. 37 ca. 17 ca. 250

ca. 150 ca. 110 ca. 11.5 ca. 190

s s s

ca. 90 ca. 30 ca. 10

ca. 120 ca. 60 ca. 20

ca. 130 ca. 60 ca. 30

> 300 > 300 > 300

ca. 140 ca. 50 ca. 20

cm3 mN/m

ca. 350 ca. 28

ca. 400 ca. 31

ca. 400 ca. 31

ca. 350 ca. 40

ca. 70 ca. 28

The above information is correct at the time of going to press. It does not necessarily form part of the product specification. A detailed product specification is available from your local BASF representative. Solubility The solubility of the Lutensol AO types in selected solvents is shown overleaf.

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Lutensol AO types

Solubility of 10 % solutions of Lutensol AO types at 25C Distilled water Potable water (ca. 2.7 mmol Ca2+ ions/l) f +/f +/f + + + + + f Caustic soda (5 % w/w) f f +/f f Hydrochloric acid (5 % w/w) f + + + + + + + f = Insoluble Salt solution (5 % w/w) f f f + + + + + Mineral oils Alcohols Aromatic hydrocarbons + + +/f +/f +/f +/f +/f +/f +/f +

Lutensol AO 3 Lutensol AO 4 Lutensol AO 5 Lutensol AO 7 Lutensol AO 79 Lutensol AO 8 Lutensol AO 89 Lutensol AO 109 Lutensol AO 11 Lutensol AO 30 Lutensol AO 3109 + = Clear solution Viscosity

f +/f +/f + + + + + f

+ +/f +/f +/f +/f f + + +/f +/f +

+ + + + + + + + + + +

f = Sparingly soluble

The relationship between viscosity and temperature is always an important point to consider when Lutensol AO types are to be delivered or put into storage. The following curves show the viscosity of the Lutensol AO types as a function of temperature. 10000 Lutensol AO 11

Viscosity in mPas

Lutensol AO 30 1000 Lutensol AO 7 AO 8 Lutensol AO 3 100

Lutensol AO 4 AO 5

10 0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Temperature in C The viscosity of the Lutensol AO types as a function of temperature

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Lutensol AO types

It is advisable to prepare stock solutions with a concentration of 10 - 20 % for mixing with other solutions or for preparing very dilute solutions. These solutions are then easy to dilute down to their final concentration. The rate at which the Lutensol AO types dissolve can be increased by adding alcohols, glycols and other solubilizers. The Lutensol AO types tend to form a gel in water at certain concentrations, as can be seen from the table below. The viscosity was measured with a Brookfield viscometer at 23C and 60 rpm. The viscosity of the Lutensol types as a function of their water content (in mPa s) Water content % 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Storage AO 3 40 60 150 15000 >105 >105 100 80 50 10 AO 4 50 80 300 18000 >105 >105 5000 2000 450 40 AO 5 80 90 6000 40000 >105 >105 90000 20000 2000 50 AO 7 300 150 70000 50000 12000 30000 7000 1400 800 200 AO 79 150 70000 50000 12000 30000 7000 1400 800 200 60 AO 8 150 30000 20000 25000 >105 >105 1700 70 20 AO 89 150 30000 20000 25000 >105 >105 1700 70 20 10 AO 109 200 7000 >105 >105 >105 >105 100 30 20 10 AO 11 200 400 >105 >105 >105 >105 70 30 20 AO 30 70000 900 >105 >105 >105 >105 >105 30 20 AO 3109 150 25000 90000 60000 30000 45000 10000 3000 450 20

a) The Lutensol AO types should be stored in a dry place. Storerooms must not be overheated. b) The Lutensol AO types are hygroscopic and soluble in water, with the result that they absorb moisture very quickly. Drums should be tightly resealed each time material is taken from them. c) The Lutensol AO types should not be stored at temperatures substantially below 20 C. Attention also needs to be paid to their setting points. d) Lutensol AO 3, AO 4, AO 5, and AO 7 are supplied in the form of cloudy liquids, and they have a tendency to form a sediment. They become clear at ca. 50C. e) Liquid that has solidified or that shows signs of precipitation should be heated to 50 60 C and homogenized before use. f) Drums that have solidified or that have begun to precipitate should be reconstituted by gentle heating, preferably in a heating cabinet. The temperature must not be allowed to exceed 60C (Lutensol AO 30: 70C). This also applies if drums are heated by external electrical elements. Internal electrical elements should not be used because of the localized anomalies in temperature that they cause. g) The Lutensol AO types must be blanketed with nitrogen if they are stored in heated tanks at 50 - 60C (Lutensol AO 30: 70C) to prevent them from coming into contact with air. Constant, gentle stirring helps to prevent them being discoloured as a result of prolonged contact with electrical elements or external heating coils.

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Lutensol AO types

Materials

The following materials can be used for tanks and drums. a) AISI 321 stainless steel (X6 CrNiTi 1810) b) AISI 316 Ti stainless steel (X10 CrNiMoTi 1810) The Lutensol AO types have a shelf life of at least two years, provided they are stored in their original packaging and kept tightly sealed.

Shelf life

Applications
The Lutensol AO types are nonionic surfactants have established themselves in the detergents and cleaners industry, and in many other branches of industry, on account of their pronounced surface activity. Their main area of application is in industrial, institutional and household detergents and cleaners. The Lutensol AO types are nonionic, and they can be readily combined with anionic, cationic and other nonionic surfactants and auxiliaries. They are fully compatible with alkylaryl sulphonates (e.g. Lutensit A-LB types), ether sulphates and other sulphated and sulphonated products. Synergistic effects can often be obtained, which enables very high levels of performance to be achieved. The same applies to mixtures of Lutensol AO and Lutensit TC-KLC 50 (a cationic product based on dimethyl-n-alkylbenzylammonium chloride) and other nonionic surfactants such as our Lutensol A N, AP, AT, ON, TO, XL, F and GD types and our Plurafac LF, Pluronic PE and Pluronic RPE types. The compatibility of the Lutensol AO types with dyes and pigments, protective colloids, thickeners and other substances with a molar mass in the upper range is also very good. The Lutensol AO types and other similar nonionic surfactants have been gaining in importance in recent years, for the following reasons. 1. For ecological reasons, detergent manufacturers have been working steadily for years to reduce the amounts of pentasodium triphosphate (STP) in their products or to eliminate it completely by replacing it with a mixture of zeolite and Sokalan CP 5. The proportion of nonionic surfactants in detergent formulations, in terms of the total surfactant content, has had to be increased to compensate for the drop in performance caused by replacing STP with other builders. Fatty alcohol ethoxylates, especially those with a medium-length alkyl chain, have been shown to provide substantial increases in detergency in extensive trials. 2. Laundry detergents with a high anionic surfactant content are only really effective on cotton fabrics at high temperatures and at high concentrations. All-temperature detergents, especially, have to contain a large proportion of nonionic surfactants if they are to provide acceptable results on cotton, synthetic fibres and blended fabrics. The detergency of medium-chain fatty alcohol ethoxylates is substantially higher than that of anionic surfactants, especially in the low-to-medium temperature range and at reduced concentrations. 3. Medium-chain fatty alcohol ethoxylates can be used to control foaming in household detergents. Their degree of ethoxylation can be in the lower or upper range, depending on the temperatures for which the detergent is intended. Detergents are often expected to produce different amounts of foam at different temperatures. This can normally be achieved simply by adjusting the proportions of linear alkylbenzenesulphonate, fatty alcohol sulphate, soap and nonionic surfactants, but special antifoams can be added if required. 4. Nonionic surfactants containing around 7 mol of ethylene oxide are usually the best choice for liquid laundry detergents, because they are the most effective in the 60C temperature range. The popularity of Lutensol AO 7 has been increasing in line with the increasing demand for household liquid detergents.

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Lutensol AO types

Lutensol AO 3, AO 4

These two products are mainly employed as emulsifiers and detergents. They are particularly effective for removing fatty soil from laundry. Ether sulphates can be produced from Lutensol AO 3. These ether sulphates have very high wetting, foaming and detergent power, and their compatibility with the skin is good.

Lutensol AO 5

Lutensol AO 5 performs well across the whole range of temperatures, and can therefore be used to formulate all-temperature detergents. It is particularly effective in combination with the highly ethoxylated products in the Lutensol AO range. Lutensol AO 4 can also be used in all-temperature detergents.

Lutensol AO 7, AO 79, AO 8, AO 89, AO 109, AO 11

The Lutensol AO types with a medium-to-high degree of ethoxylation are characterized by their excellent detergency and high wetting power. They form only moderate amounts of foam. They can be employed in lightduty and heavy-duty detergents in powder and liquid form and in industrial and household cleaners. The degree of ethoxylation of the surfactant that is selected depends on the temperature at which it is to be applied. These surfactants can be used in cleaners based on water alone and in products based on a mixture of water and organic solvents. The main application for Lutensol AO 30 is as a surface-active binder for solid detergents. It has a high HLB, which makes it an effective emulsifier for fatty acids, ester waxes, polar solvents, monomers in polymerization processes, and similar substances of a hydrophobic nature. It can also be used to stabilize emulsions and to disperse suspended solids in water. Lutensol AO 3109 is low-foaming, which makes it a particularly appropriate choice for low-foaming domestic detergents and commercial laundry detergents. It allows antifoams to be dispensed with.

Lutensol AO 30

Lutensol AO 3109

Laundry detergents High-temperature powders We would recommend Lutensol AO 11 for use in high-temperature detergent formulations, together with an anionic surfactant, STP, sodium silicate, sodium perborate, CMC and the other ingredients conventionally used in products of this type. Combinations of Lutensol AT 11 and Lutensol AO 3109 are the most effective surfactants for low-foaming heavy-duty detergents. The Degressal types can be employed as antifoams. Powders for use in the 60-95C range Combinations of Lutensol AO 7 and AO 11 are the most effective here. Their detergency on synthetic fabrics and blended fabrics is particularly good. Powders for use at 60C The Lutensol AO types with a medium degree of ethoxylation perform best at 60C. We would therefore recommend Lutensol AO 7 or combinations of Lutensol AO 7 and AO 5. Combinations of Lutensol AO 3109 or Lutensol AO 3 and Lutensol AO 7 or AO 8 are particularly effective on fatty soil. Lutensol AO 7, AO 8 and AO 109 perform very well in light-duty detergents in combination with low-foaming surfactants such as Plurafac LF 401. Lutensol AO 7 is the most effective product for this type of formulation, for the reasons outlined in paragraph (4) above. Further information is given in our Technical Information Bulletin Tl/ES 1148 e.

Light-duty liquids and powders

Heavy-duty liquids

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Lutensol AO types

Technical cleaners

Some technical cleaners can contain very high proportions of acids, alkalis, salts and organic solvents. High concentrations of inorganic salts, bases and acids in can impair the solubility of the Lutensol AO types, but this does not necessarily have any detrimental effect on their surface activity. The Lutensol AO types do not decompose in the presence of electrolytes, but solutions can become cloudy or even separate out. Solutions should only be discarded if they are inherently unstable. Advice on formulations is given in the following Technical Information leaflets. Cleaners and shampoos (Tl/ES 1142 e). Liquid detergents (Tl/ES 1148 e).

Suggested formulations

Safety
We know of no ill effects that could have resulted from using the Lutensol AO types for the purpose for which they are intended and from processing them in accordance with current practice. According to the experience we have gained over many years and other information at our disposal, the Lutensol AO types do not exert any harmful effects on health, provided that they are used properly, due attention is given to the precautions necessary for handling chemicals, and the information and advice given in our safety data sheets are observed. Handling All contact with the eyes and prolonged contact with the skin should be avoided. Safety glasses should be worn at all times when handling these products in their undiluted form.

Ecology Biodegradability Labelling The Lutensol AO types are, on average, at least 90 % biodegradable and satisfy the requirements of German surfactants legislation of 4 June 1986. Please refer to the latest Safety Data Sheet for detailed information on product safety.

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Lutensol AO types

Note
The information submitted in this publication is based on our current knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect processing and application, these data do not relieve processors from the responsibility of carrying out their own tests and experiments; neither do they imply any legally binding assurance of certain properties or of suitability for a specific purpose. It is the responsibility of those to whom we supply our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed.

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Lutensol AO types

BASF Aktiengesellschaft Performance Chemicals for Detergents and Formulators 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany www.basf.com/detergents-formulators

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