Description
These products are the ethers of glycolic acid, HO-CH2 -COOH, prepared by the reaction of chloracetic acid with the corresponding ethoxylate.
General properties
Solubility
The addition of the ethoxylated grouping results in increased water solubility in the products. HLB values vary from approx. 8 with excellent solubility in organic solvents, to 20 where the products are only soluble in polar solvents. Generally good lime soap dispersant. Good alkali solubility.
Chemical stability
Does not hydrolyze in alkali or acid.
Compatibility with aqueous ions
Stable to addition of electrolyte; improvement of properties in hard water compared to soap.
Compatibility with other surfactants
Compatible with non-ionics and amphoterics; compatible with some cationics; good lime soap dispersant.
Surface-active properties
The CMC is reached at lower values for the acid than for the salt. Also the micelles formed in acid solution are smaller than for the salt. Thus it is possible to adjust the micelle size which is an important feature of emulsification. The surface tension increases with increasing pH.
Functional properties:
Retains the best properties of non-ionic surfactants, i.e, wetting without the inverse solubility with temperature (no cloud point); good dispersing properties (e.g. pigments in paint); good foam stability; good anticorrosive action; very mild and non-aggressive action on hair and skin and reduces the skin irritation of LES.
Applications
Household products
Stable to hydrochloric acid and used in toilet cleaners; thickener for bleach, high EO content; soap additive to give liquid fatty acid soaps.
Textiles
Detergent, cloud point elevated to more than 100°C; kier boiling in caustic. Dye bath auxiliaries; fabric softeners particularly for woolens (i.e. dialkyl adducts as a base); spin finish antistatic agents particularly if amine-based.
Shampoos
Mild and some conditioning properties are claimed particularly at low pH. Gives creamy foam, particularly in hard water and improves lubricity. Used in conjunction with ether sulfates to improve foam and reduce irritation. Compatible with cationics (including cationic polymers). The ether carboxylate can be used for the cleaning part of the formulation with the cationics giving excellent conditioning.
Paint
Dispersing agents.
Aerosols
Carpet shampoos.
Metal treatments
Boring and cutting oils, de-oiling baths.
Specification
| Solids content | 90% |
| Active content | 70-80% |
| Sodium chloride | 1-15% |
