TERGITOL 15-S-3 Surfactant

Product Description

TERGITOL™ 15-S-3 Surfactant is a clear, liquid nonionic surfactant that is ideally suited
for applications requiring a versatile, oil-soluble product.
TERGITOL 15-S-3 is a mixture of linear secondary alcohols reacted with ethylene oxide.
It is chemically stable in the presence of dilute acids, bases, and salts, and it is compatible
with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants. TERGITOL 15-S-3 is insoluble in
water, but it is soluble in chlorinated solvents, most organic solvents and oils.

Features and Benefits

The unique “T-shaped” molecular structure of TERGITOL 15-S-3, combined with the very
low levels of unethoxylated secondary alcohols and low-mole adducts present, imparts
highly desirable end-use features, including:
• Low pour point
• Low neat viscosity
• Low odor
• High degree of solubility in organic solvents

Chemical Structure                            C_12-14 H₂₅-₂₉O_[CH₂CH₂O_]xH

Applications

TERGITOL™ 15-S-3 Surfactant is one of the most versatile oil-soluble nonionic surfactants
available. In addition to finding applications in oil-based formulations, it is often blended
with water-soluble surfactants, such as TERGITOL 15-S-9, to reduce foam, improve lowtemperature
surface activity, and enhance the stability of oil-in-water emulsions. Specific
end uses for TERGITOL 15-S-3 include:
• Emulsifier for mineral oil-type coning oils
• Wetting agent, coupling agent, and emulsifier for fiber lubricants
• Dye carrier emulsification
• Auxiliary for nylon carpet printing
• Textile wet processing
• Solvent-based emulsion cleaners
• Hydrocarbon-based prewash spotters and degreasers
• Dry-cleaning detergents
• Defoamer for aqueous cleaning systems
• Water-in-oil emulsions
• Coemulsifier for oil-in-water emulsions
• Metalworking fluids
• Water treatment systems
• Oil field chemicals
• Pulp/paper deinking and deresinating
• Freeze/thaw stabilizer for latex emulsions
• Antistatic agent for plastics
• Agricultural emulsions
TERGITOL 15-S-3 is also used as an intermediate in the manufacture of anionic
surfactants such as sulfates, carboxylates, and phosphates, which find utility in
a wide variety of industrial formulation

Typical Properties*

Hydroxyl Number mg KOH/g	167
Molecular Weight (calculated from OH#)	336
Degree of Ethoxylation, mole/mole, avg	3.2
Degree of Ethoxylation, wt%	42

Actives Content, wt%	100
Water, wt%	0.03
Cloud Point (1% aqueous solution), °C (°F)	17 (63)
Pour Point, °C (°F)	-46 (-51)

pH (1% aqueous solution)	4.0
Viscosity at 25°C, cP	26
Color, APHA (Pt-Co)	30
Appearance at 25°C	Clear liquid

Specific Gravity at 20/20°C	0.930
Flash Point, Pensky-Martens Closed Cup, ASTM D 93, °C (°F)	174 (345)
HLB Number (calculated)	8.3