This non-ionic surfactant mainly features very good emulsifying properties. It is also a good dispersant. It is an ingredient of plant protection products, cosmetics and emulsifying compositions in cutting fluids.

General characteristics

Cetoleth-7 belongs to the group of surfactants that are included in ethoxylated fatty alcohols. Cetoleth-7 is the name assigned in the international nomenclature system for cosmetic ingredients, INCI. The full chemical name of this substance is: alcohols, C16-18 and C18-unsaturated, ethoxylated. Its CAS number is 68920-66-1. Cetoleth-7 can be obtained on the basis of raw materials of natural origin.

Physical and chemical properties of Cetoleth-7:

• a viscous liquid or semi-solid paste,
• straw yellow to yellow,
• colour on the iodine scale: a maximum of 8 (at a temperature of 50ᵒC),
• faint odour,
• molar mass: approx. 620 g/mol,
• low solubility in water – it forms clouded solutions or emulsions,
• good solubility in low aliphatic alcohols such as methanol or ethanol,
• density: approx. 1.02 g/ml (at a temperature of 30ᵒC),
• solidification point: approx. 20ᵒC,
• hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB): 10.8,
• active over a broad range of temperatures,
• active in cold water, in acidic or neutral baths and in diluted alkalis.

Properties and applications of Cetoleth-7

As a surfactant, the substance features a specific hydrophile-lipophile balance, which in this case is 10.8. It determines the possibility to mix Cetoleth-7 with base mineral oils and with rapeseed oil methyl esters.

Cetoleth-7 shows very good emulsifying properties as an ingredient included in products. It does not solve well in water but forms clouded solutions in it. As an emulsifier, Cetoleth-7 makes it possible to combine two immiscible phases: the water phase and the oil phase. A vast majority of cosmetic products are available as emulsions. If you add emulsifiers such as Cetoleth-7, all the components may be combined in an effective manner. Moreover, Cetoleth-7 exhibits a dispersing effect, which additionally boosts the effectiveness of its emulsifying properties.

The processes of the fibre and textile industry use the ease with which Cetoleth-7 forms O/W (oil-in-water) emulsions. The substance is used for example in textile end-use finishes.

A number of different industrial branches use machining coolants. Their task is to protect machining tools that tend to overheat from mutual contact and the high temperatures generated. Cooling formulations include a number of surfactants, for example Cetoleth-7. It is also used as an ingredient of fire-resistant hydraulic fluids.

The emulsifying properties of Cetoleth-7 determine its use in plant protection products, in particular EC, EW or SE formulations.

As an emulsifier and co-emulsifier, it is added to dedicated animal care shampoos. Its properties enhance the effect of detergents for masking unpleasant odours that animals leave on floors, carpets or furniture.