Surfactants

By controlling the relationship between EO and PO, we are able to tailor the final properties to deliver the exact benefits desired. Nonionic surfactants and polyglycols are non-hazardous, chemically stable, and have a high flash point. These products are safe to handle and do not hydrolyze or become rancid.

Foam Control
The chemical structure of many nonionic surfactants and polyglycols makes them well suited in applications requiring foam control. The need for foam control covers a variety of applications including fermentation, food processing, pulp and paper, and textiles. The Ross-Miles test is one method of evaluating a surfactant’s ability to control foam. By this method, a low t0 value indicates the prevention of foam formation. The faster the rate of decline between t0 and t5, the more efficient the surfactant is as a defoamer. Additionally, because defoaming performance occurs best just below the polymer’s cloud point, the nonionic surfactant and polyglycol lines have been designed to cover a wide range of cloud points to cater to different processing needs.

Wetting Agents
Nonionic surfactants and polyglycols can improve wetting properties by modifying the surface tension between a liquid and a solid. This allows the liquid to more thoroughly and evenly coat a solid, which is advantageous in applications such as dishwashing, agriculture, and textiles. The Draves Wetting Test is an indicator of how quickly a surfactant can effectively wet out a cotton skein. The data in the chart shows that Everchem’s nonionic surfactant and polyglycol products with the shortest times at low concentration are the most efficient wetting agents.