PEG-3 Lauryl Ether
Pharcos L 3
Also known as: Polyoxyethylene 3 Lauryl Ether | Macrogol Lauryl Ether 3
Pharcos L 3 (HLB ~8.0) is slightly more hydrophilic than Laureth-2. It sits squarely on the border between a W/O emulsifier and a potent wetting agent. In cosmetics, it acts as a robust co-emulsifier to stabilize rich water-in-oil face creams. In industrial applications, its aggressive wetting kinetics make it an elite component in penetrating hard-surface degreasers and textile scouring baths designed to strip natural waxes off raw cotton.
Quick Information
- Product Line:
- Personal Care
- Category:
- Emulsifiers
- Grade:
- Liquid
- CAS Number:
- 68439-50-9
Key Applications
- W/O Facial Creams
- Industrial Degreasers
- Textile Scouring Agents
- Latex Stabilization
How It Works
With 3 moles of ethylene oxide, Laureth-3 is immensely surface-active but still insoluble in pure water.
In textile scouring or industrial degreasing, the Laureth-3 acts as a chemical 'drill'. The tiny hydrophilic PEG head is rapidly attracted to the water/oil interface, while the linear C12 lauryl chain penetrates easily into packed grease or wax layers without steric hindrance. This rapid penetration shatters the structural integrity of the grease deposit, allowing secondary, high-HLB detergent surfactants (like SLES or high-mole alcohol ethoxylates) to easily lift the shattered grease away from the fiber or metal surface and solubilize it into the wash water.
Technical Information
Common questions about PEG-3 Lauryl Ether
The lauryl (C12) carbon chain is significantly shorter and more mobile than the cetostearyl (C16-18) chain. This gives Laureth-3 much faster wetting and spreading speeds, making it superior for rapid degreasing, whereas Ceteareth-3 provides more structural stiffness for thick creams.
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