Polysorbate 40
Pharcos PS 40
Also known as: PEG-20 Sorbitan Monopalmitate | Tween 40 Equivalent
Pharcos PS 40 is derived by ethoxylating Sorbitan Monopalmitate. With an HLB of roughly 15.6, it stands between PS 20 and PS 60 on the lipophilic scale. While capable of acting as a solubilizer, its primary industrial role is as a high-HLB O/W emulsifier. It is most frequently deployed in strict 'matched pairs' with Sorbitan Palmitate (Span 40) to create intensely stable, pharmaceutically robust emulsion bases. Industrially, it acts as a highly effective anti-static lubricant in synthetic textile spinning.
Quick Information
- Product Line:
- Personal Care
- Category:
- Emulsifiers
- Grade:
- Liquid / Paste
- CAS Number:
- 9005-66-7
Key Applications
- O/W Cream Emulsifier
- Polysorbate/Span Blends
- Textile Anti-Stat
- Industrial Lubricant Emulsifier
How It Works
Emulsion stability via interfacial packing.
When a high-HLB Polysorbate (like PS 40) is paired precisely with a low-HLB Span (like Span 40), they lock together geometrically at the boundary between the oil droplet and the water. The massive hydrophilic head of the PS 40 anchors in the water, while the compact Span 40 wedges into the gaps between the tails. This dense packing creates a remarkably rigid interfacial film, armored against temperature fluctuations and shear shock, preventing the oil droplets from ever coalescing.
Technical Information
Common questions about Polysorbate 40
Yes, but they feel very different. Polysorbates tend to offer a slightly 'wetter', lighter rub-out on the skin. PEG-100 Stearate (especially when paired with Glyceryl Stearate) provides a much drier, heavier, traditional 'cold-cream' aesthetic.
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